Aloe plicatilis - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Description

The Fan aloe is a perfect container, raised planter and rock garden plant in both residential and commercial plantings. It is a slow growing species with thick branching stems slowly growing 5-6 ft. tall and as wide. Pale gray-green leaves, 10-12 in. long, grow in attractive opposite fan-like layers. Orange flowers occur on unbranched spikes in early spring.

Fan aloe is from mild and dry climate regions of the southwestern Cape region of South Africa where it grows on sandy, acid and well-drained soils, and experiences seasonal drought. Damaged by temperatures below 28°F, this species does best in protected zones of the Inland Empire. Like other aloes, this species attracts birds and provides pleasing winter time color.

Water Needs

Fan aloe is well adapted to all parts of the Inland Empire in sunny exposures with normal winter rains and low amounts of summer irrigation. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains often provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates Fan aloe can grow with varying amounts of water; little supplemental water is needed during summer.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 1

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Aloe
Foliage Character: Succulent, Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Mounding, Low-branching
Growth Rate: Slow
Height: 5 ft. - 6 ft.
Width: 5 ft. - 6 ft.
Water Needs: Low 1
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Orange
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Sand, Acidic soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun, Partial sun
Function: Rock gardens, Raised planters, Near pools and water features, Hummingbird plant, Grouped, Container plant

Maintenance

Prune dead flower heads when needed, usually in early summer. If flower stalks have dried out, they can usually be removed by pulling rather than needing to use a hand pruner (D,S).

References