Aloe cameronii
| Light | Full sun to bright light; the more sun, the redder the leaves |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in the growing season, allow to dry between waterings; keep drier and cooler in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Best above freezing; will take a light, brief frost when dry; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Offsets and stem cuttings (primary); seed |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten (as with many aloes) |
Aloe cameronii is a clumping, shrubby aloe from south-central Africa whose slender, gently curved leaves flush a deep coppery red in full sun and drought — a colour so intense it is often called the red aloe and rated among the reddest of all the aloes. Well grown and well stressed, a mature clump becomes a glowing mound of rusty red that few other succulents can match.
Description
Aloe cameronii is a branching, suckering species that forms open clumps of rosettes on short stems, in time reaching roughly knee to hip height — mature clumps commonly stand around 0.6–1.5 m tall — and spreading outward as the stems lean and offset. The leaves are narrow, tapering and slightly recurved, edged with small pale teeth, and arranged in loose rosettes rather than tight geometric ones.
Leaf colour is the whole point of this plant. In shade and comfort the foliage is a plain coppery green; give it strong sun, cooler nights and a dry spell and it turns progressively bronze, then rich red, then almost mahogany. The change is reversible — move the plant back into shade or water it heavily and the red fades toward green again.
In the cooler months mature clumps send up branched spikes of tubular flowers in warm orange-red tones, held above the foliage and much loved by nectar-feeding birds and insects.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to south-central Africa, with its range centred on Malawi and neighbouring parts of the region, where it grows on rocky hillsides and among grasses in seasonally dry country. In habitat it experiences a distinct wet summer and a dry, cooler winter — the natural rhythm that both drives its red colouring and shapes how it is best watered in cultivation.
Cultivation
Aloe cameronii is one of the easier and more rewarding aloes for the garden or a large pot, provided it gets sun and sharp drainage. Grow it in a gritty, free-draining mix in the brightest position you can offer; full sun is what pulls out the famous red, and a plant grown in shade will stay a disappointing green. Water regularly through the warm growing season, letting the mix dry between soakings, then ease right off in winter to keep it firm and rot-free.
The redness is a stress response, so a little hardship — strong light, cool nights and a dry root run — deepens the colour, while rich feeding and constant moisture green it up and soften the growth. In mild, frost-light climates it makes an excellent landscape clumper; where hard frost threatens, grow it in a container that can be moved under cover, kept dry over winter. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
This aloe propagates very easily by vegetative means. The suckering stems produce offsets that can be separated with a few roots, and leaning or overlong stems can be taken as cuttings: let the cut surface dry and callus for several days, then set it in a gritty mix and withhold water until roots form. Seed is also possible where flowers are cross-pollinated, though offsets and cuttings are quicker and keep the best-coloured forms true. See Propagation — seed for the seed-raising method.
Common problems
- Rot — from overwatering, a heavy mix or wet, cold winters; stems soften and blacken at the base.
- Green, floppy growth — too little light and too much water and feed; the plant loses both its red colour and its compact habit.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in leaf axils) and scale are the usual offenders; watch also for aloe mite, which causes distorted, warty growth.
See also
- Aloe — the genus overview
- Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases