Crocodile Aloe is the common name for Aloe Brevifolia. Propagating Aloe Plants is fun and easy. Click on the video below or keep reading.
Aloe Brevifolia is considered a dwarf aloe. Native to South Africa. The name “brevifolia” means “short-leaf” in Latin. Also known as Short Leaf Aloe. It’s thick leaves have white “teeth” along the edges. Thus why it is known as the Crocodile Aloe.
During the 18th century this beauty was introduced into cultivation. In late spring, red-orange, tubular flowers are produced on spikes that rise up tall.
Leaves can turn red and yellow-ish in direct sun.
Aloe brevifolia or Short-leaved Aloe is a great succulent for growing outdoors! Short-leaved Aloe is deer resistant so plant it next to your favorites plants for protection. They also attract bees, flowers, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Short-leaved Aloe typically needs a bit less water than other succulents. It’s best to let the soil completely dry out in between waterings.
This Dwarf Aloe isn’t cold hardy, so it’s best to plant this succulent in a pot/container that can be brought indoors when temperatures drop. Here in California where I live we can grow them outdoors year round. It does well in full to partial sun. I suggest planting in an area of your garden that gets about 6 hours of sunlight a day. It is also a perfect addition to rock gardens.
Aloe Brevifolia or “Short-leaved Aloe” is a prolific propagator, from offsets or pups and seeds. The offsets pop up around the base of the plant, directly next to the mother plant. To separate offsets from the mother aloe, pull or cut small ones loose from the outer edge of the cluster. Allow the offsets to dry for 3-5 days before replanting them. They easily root in potting soil and prefer well-draining alkaline soil. They also propagate extremely well in water.
As with most succulents, be sure to keep your pups out of direct sunlight and then slowly introduce them into direct sun. I typically do this after the pups have developed roots of their own.
Here in California and other warm climates the Crocodile plant is used as ground cover, or used as a clump besides other plants. Because of its size, it makes an excellent edging plant in flower beds. It also does well as a potted plant.
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