Spiral Aloe Essentials Amazing tips

Seeing a spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) is an unforgettable experience, and to see one is to want one. Under ideal conditions, these rare succulents can attain 2 feet in diameter. They're challenging to grow, but not impossible. Like lithops, if you understand their requirements and limitations, they'll do fine.

Spiral Aloe Essentials

• Climate: Spiral aloes are native to the Drakensberg mountains of Lesotho, South Africa. They grow on steep slopes with their roots bathed in snow melt, in low humidity with excellent air circulation.
• Soil: Use any commercial potting soil, providing it has no coir or peat (which hold too much moisture). Enhance drainage and aeration by amending half-and-half with pumice, crushed lava or perlite. Keep soil temps below 80F.
• Light: Bright shade to part sun in mild climates; protect from strong midday sun.
• Water: Keep soil moist but never soggy. On hot days, water with ice cubes.
• Fertilizer: Miracle-Gro, 1 tablespoon per gallon during the growing season.
• Pests: Spiral aloes are vulnerable to mites, mealy bugs and aphids. Ants are often the first sign of an infestation. Apply an insecticide containing pyrethrin.

Interested in owning, growing and/or selling this most beautiful of succulents?

Renowned spiral aloe expert Alan Beverly of Ecoscape Nursery in Santa Cruz, CA plans to sell his nursery stock and breeding plants in 2024. "I want to retire and play classical/Hawaiian/Celtic guitar," Alan says.

After decades of growing the plants---which are in danger of extinction in the wild---Alan's looking for "a qualified and committed horticulturist to provide this wonderful and fascinating species to buyers." Contact him to learn more: spiralaloe@yahoo.com. 

Spiral aloes in flower. Photo: Alan Beverly

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Colorful Succulents Calendar with Care Tips Amazing tips

Order the Calendar

Get it for 50% off with this code up until Thurs., Nov. 24: EARLYBFDE1WC. The code also is good for all items from Succulent Chic, my Zazzle store.

A Brilliant Idea

We have one of my newsletter subscribers to thank for this smart suggestion: Adding timely succulent care tips to each calendar page. It's something I hadn't thought of, and everyone loves.

More than a calendar

 Enjoy colorful succulents year-round along with monthly care tips for keeping the plants happy and healthy. This wall-art calendar is perfect for gardening enthusiasts and succulent lovers. Brighten the home of a friend or loved one, and remind them of your thoughtfulness 365 days a year!

This and Debra's previous calendars---all on her Succulent Chic Zazzle store---are collectible, available in current-year format, and offer images suitable for framing.

shop at Succulent Chic

Colorful Succulents calendar Pages

Do LMK what you think and any suggestions you may have!

01 Jan. Sempervivum

02 Feb. Kalanchoe luciae

03 Mar. Graptoveria 'Fred Ives'

05 May Cactus flowers

06 June Agave shawii

07 July Crassula perfoliata var. falcata

08 Aug. Opuntia santa-rita

09 Sept. Echeverias

Back cover

04 April ice plants

10 Oct. Aloe cameronii

11 Nov. Senecio mandraliscae

12 Dec. Aeonium 'Garnet'

Related info on this site 

The Succulent Lovers’ Wish List

Recently updated! I couldn’t resist adding six more “finds.” — DLB. I ran across these while shopping online for succulent-specific tools and special gifts for friends. They’re worthy of any succulent lover’s wish list

Read More

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The Succulent Lovers’ Wish List Amazing tips

I ran across these while shopping online for succulent-specific tools and special gifts for friends. They're worthy of any succulent lover's wish list, including my own! Let me know if you agree in the comments below. Note: Most links are affiliate.

Plush Succulent Pillow

Above: Made of soft "micro plush" material, this three-dimensional rosette succulent pillow makes a beautiful, super cushy accent piece. Hand-sewn and flat on the underside. Weighs 1 lb.; size is 14 x 11.8 x 8.5 inches.

Succulent Shower Curtain/s

One of many succulent shower curtains 

Did you know that for under $20 you can visually transform a bathroom or powder room into a succulent garden? I'm blown away by all the succulent shower curtain styles. What I love about the one above is the lizard, but several showing potted succulents on shelves are tempting, too.

 

Three-panel succulent scenes

Succulent three-panel wall art

I'd like to borrow this idea using my own images to sell at Succulent Chic, my online store. But no way can I beat the price of these three stretched canvas prints, each 12 x 16 inches. Comes with hooks, ready to hang. Total weight 2 lbs.

Also check out this 16 x 24-inch Agave americana trio ~

And this set featuring haworthias and a sansevieria (that pale green background!). Size 16"x24"x3".

Stained Glass Succulents and Suncatchers

String of Pearls suncatcher

I'm a sucker for anything that glows in the sun. This string-of-pearls suncatcher delights me, as do these stained-glass windowsill succulents. Not to mention that their only care is to be dusted!

Succulent Plants and Accessories

Succulent sampler gift box

Nine perfectly packaged succulents arrive ready to go into individual pots or to combine in a floral-style container arrangement. From Mountain Crest Gardens.

Be sure to check out Mountain Crest's selection of Unusual Succulent Varieties too.

Set of Six Ceramic Pots

White ceramic pots for succulents

Each is 3.15-in. diameter. These have drain holes and come with bamboo trays to protect windowsills and countertops.

Concrete Succulent Pots

Concrete windowsill pots

This eye-catching trio juxtaposes a silvery-gray industrial material with patterns that are sleek and contemporary. Perfect for a windowsill in an upscale home. Each 3 x 3 x 3.2 inches. Yes, they drain!

Bag of Horticultural Pumice

Horticultural pumice

A thoughtful gift to accompany plants and/or pots, pumice serves as top-dressing that gives containers a finished look. And when added to soil, it enhances aeration and absorbs excess moisture. 2 dry quarts.

My Book: Succulent Container Gardens 

When giving plants, pots and pumice, do include my book, Succulent Container Gardens.

Signed and personalized book plate

Want to give a signed, personalized copy of any of my books? Book plates autographed by me are free to my newsletter subscribers. Simply hit "reply" to any newsletter and I'll sign a book plate however you like (i.e. "To Javier and Zoey from Theodora," and add: "Enjoy! Debra Lee Baldwin." I'll mail it to you or directly to them.

Give a subscription to "Celebrating the Joy of Succulents"

My newsletter presents expert info, must-knows, design ideas, cool plants, and whatever I run across that has me excited and eager to share.

Granted, my newsletter's free, but no matter. This is all about being thoughtful and kind to your succulent-fanatic friend.

Succulent Socks

Succulent socks

A friend gave me a cute pair of succulent socks that I wear often and that invariably get compliments. So when I saw these (there are many more), I had to have them! Most fit women's shoe sizes 5-10.5.

Cactus weeder

Cactus weeder

This inexpensive tool---actually a fish-hook extractor---makes a super stocking stuffer. Btw, it's what The Ruth Bancroft Garden uses to groom spiny succulents.

Pet collars, leashes, bandanas, seat belt buckles and bows

My pup doesn't need a new collar and leash...or does he? This set would be a great conversation-starter with other dog-walkers here in the 'hood. (And he'd look so cute.)

Also be sure to...

Visit Succulent Chic, my online store!

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