€15,90

Karasberg Aloe (Aloe karasbergensis Pillans), internationally known as Karasberg Aloe or Karasburg Coral Aloe. It generally forms a solitary, stemless rosette, although mature specimens can develop a short stem, up to about 30 cm, and numerous offsets around the base. The leaves are extraordinarily wide, fleshy, and gently curved, grayish-green or bluish-green, with numerous darker longitudinal lines. With strong insolation, they can acquire pink, coppery, or reddish tones. A mature plant can reach approximately 60 cm in height and up to 1 m in diameter. The margins are practically smooth, although occasionally they have tiny teeth.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family

It is distributed from southern Namibia to the Northern Cape of South Africa, including the Richtersveld and areas near Kenhardt and Prieska. It lives in deserts and dry shrublands, on sand in dry riverbeds, and also on rocky mountain slopes, within the Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo biomes. It is a widespread species and currently considered of Least Concern (LC). It belongs to the family Asphodelaceae.

❄️ Temperature

USDA 9b–11b. It can withstand light frosts in dry conditions, but cold combined with humidity can cause leaf damage and rot. For pot cultivation, we recommend keeping it above 5 °C, being able to withstand temperatures close to -4°C for short periods if the substrate is completely dry and the plant is protected.

☀️ Lighting

During the active period, 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. It needs a lot of light to maintain its compact habit and enhance the longitudinal lines and pink tones of the leaves. It tolerates full sun after acclimatization, although in Madrid it is advisable to protect it from excessive radiation and heat during July and August afternoons.

💧 Growth cycle

Summer dormancy, or more precisely a species adapted to growth during the winter rainy season. In its habitat, it receives rainfall mainly in the cold season and its activity decreases during the warmer months; therefore, in Madrid, it is advisable to promote growth from autumn to spring and greatly reduce watering during the hottest summer.
Water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. During summer dormancy, space out waterings a lot and keep it especially well-ventilated.

🌸 Flowering

It produces highly branched inflorescences, about 50–75 cm, with loose racemes. The flowers are pale pink to coral red, with green tips, and can reach about 25–27 mm. In Madrid, we can expect flowering around July-August, although in cultivation it may occur earlier or repeatedly.

🌿 Nutrition

Fertilize during its growth period, especially from autumn to spring, with Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthia & Co., suitable for its calcium and potassium supply. Reduce or suspend fertilization during summer dormancy and when temperatures are extreme.

This is an inimitable xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant measurements are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of Desert CITY's plants has unique characteristics.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.