Aloidendron Species

Zone 9b Coastal Otago New Zealand
Not long received this very sad spec, yellow-white etc, basically looked like a dead mickey mous...Read Moree hand on a very small stick.
I was not hopeful so I put it in part shade outside, repotted and it's greening up nicely and has put on four or five new leaves in maybe three months of late summer.
They are a very curious thing, the green of their leaves being bright, almost 'fake' lime, and they're very plump on their funny little slightly papery trunks. Looks like it will become a very eye catching and luscious looking aloe given time.
I suspect they dont like super-strong mid summer sun so maybe keep that in mind. They do like a bit of water to keep them plump over summer.
I too have a hard time believing these aloes could take a hard frost.
Will update next summer.
Summer 2010- Burnt to hell in spring heatwave after a very dull winter, leaves singed white and fell off. I've brought it inside now where it will remain away from near-fatal solar caprices.
Autumn 2010- :-( RIP sabaea. Never recovered from being scorched a second time and lost it's roots. Definitely doesnt appreciate seasonal light swings. Doh!!

beautiful plant - call it "droopy" favorite character!

Not be be a stickler, Yemen is a part of Africa (continent) as is ...Read MoreSaudi Arabia. (it was 55 years ago anyway when I last remember studying geography)!!

o well everything changes with time.

:>)

Aloe sabaea is a wonderful plant! We tried planting it in the ground in Arizona, but the leaves became shriveled and the plant looked un...Read Morehappy overall, so it was returned to a 15 gallon pot. It might have just been a poor area for it, or it could have been a drainage problem. I've noticed many Aloes do well in Arizona if planted in or near a wash.

Also, to correct the above AND below statements...Aloe sabaea comes from Yemen which is a country on the Saudi Arabian peninsula, which, based on current geographical concepts, is considered a part of Soutwest Asia, NOT Africa. Thanks. :-P

A different looking tree aloe with long, soft, very droopy pale light green leaves on a relatively skinny stem for a tree aloe. Native o...Read Moref Yemen, Asia. Striking multicolored flowers (various shades of red to pale yellow near the tips) on branched inflorescences. Curious and ornamental landscape aloe that seems pretty easy to grow, so far, in southern California. Fairly available, too.

Hard to believe this is a zone 9a plant... recent freeze in southern California (Jan 07) did cause slight damage to this plant- but that was not a real test of a zone 9a plant. If anyone is growing this in zone 9a, I would love to know how it handles the low 20s.