How to Grow and Care for Lace Aloe

How to Grow and Care for Lace Aloe Aristaloe aristata

The cheese is not the only one that stands alone.

There’s also the lace aloe.

Once considered part of the Aloe genus, this succulent was reclassified into its own genus, Aristaloe, as the result of a 2014 molecular analysis that stirred up some haworthia classifications, too.

When I say its own genus, I mean its own, as in aristata is the only species in Aristaloe. And what a distinctive species it is!

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Its gray-green, fleshy, triangular leaves are flecked with white tubercles on the tops and undersides.

It forms elegant rosettes that grow six to nine inches tall and eight inches wide, spreading up to two feet in clumps of eight to 10.

It takes its common name from the lacy bristles along its leaf margins and tips. They are soft and clean, and complement the pink-coral tubular flowers that bloom in summer to perfection.

Maybe its best trait is its drought resistance once established, which makes it ideal for xeriscaping.

Or is it the multitudes of pups the plants produce for easy propagation? Or the fragrant blooms that attract pollinators and hummingbirds?

While we have established that lace aloe is the top plant in its genus, we’ll have to determine its top attribute after I share more about its habits and growing requirements.

To be honest, we might disagree when the facts are known about all its attributes…

Here’s what I’ll cover:

While A. aristata is no longer considered a true aloe, this species and aloe vera are both part of the Asphodelaceae family.

Some call A. aristata guinea fowl plant, and I agree the markings on the leaves