Aloe haworthioides
Synonyms:
Aloinella haworthioides
Lemeea haworthioides
Habitat:
Aloe Haworthioides is native of Madagascar, but it’s also widespread in South Africa. It’s a really harsh plant, growing in the cracks of quartz upon Fimbristyilis formations. Fimbristylis is a small colonist, primitive plant which grows in small cushions and dries up leaving a carpet of humus, in which Aloe haworthioides grows.
Description:
Aloe haworthioides is a small stemless perennial plant. It forms tiny rosettes of leaves with a diameter of 5 centimeters. The leaves are dark green, with a lot of soft spines, and they look like the ones of plants oof the “Haworthia” genus (that’s the reason for the name of this Aloe, “Haworthioides”, which means “similar to Haworthia”). Inflorescence is a 30 centimeters tall stem bearing a raceme of tubular, pink-orange flowers. The blooming season of this plant occurs in late summer and autumn.
Cultivation:
Aloe haworthioides needs a bright position, under direct sunlight. Put it in a well-drained soil, because it does not tolerate water stagnation in its substrate. Pay attention while watering: the leaves are particularly sensitive to rotting. Before each watering, wait until the soil is completely dry. In winter, water can be completely avoided. This plant needs warm temperatures, around 20ºC. It doesn’t bear temperatures below 4ºC.
Propagation:
The easiest and most advisable form of propagation for Aloe haworthioides is to take off one of its numerous offesets, which are formed by the plant generally in Spring.
Curiosity:
Aloe-based products (and in particular Aloe Vera varieties) have been experiencing a period of intense commercial exploitation for some years, which is only partially justified by the actual plant properties. Morover, Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots because they are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents.
