General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Leaves: Evergreen
Fruit: Dehiscent
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Orange
Red
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Year Round
Inflorescence Height: Up to 6 inches
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Provides winter interest
Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Hummingbirds
Resistances: Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Can handle transplanting
Other info: Sow seeds in sandy soil. Seeds germinate in a few weeks at temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees F. Seedlings need moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Offsets
Other: Stems cut below a node root easily. Cut a stem that has gotten leggy, let it dry out for at least a few hours to form a seal on the cut surface. Place the cutting in rooting medium kept moist, but not wet, until roots form.
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth
Awards and Recognitions: RHS AGM

Image
Common names
  • Descoings Aloe
  • Aloe

Photo Gallery
Location: Baja California
Date: 2022-08-25
Location: Baja California
Date: 2020-06-24
4 inch pot
Location: Baja California
Date: 2021-04-13
Location: Baja California
Date: 2021-07-18
Location: Baja California
Date: 2021-01-31
Location: 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show
Date: 2007-03-10
Specimen plant. Sorry for the focus.
Location: Baja California
Date: 2022-04-27

photo by:  John Jearrard
Location: BG Meise (Belgium)
Date: 2015-10-23
Location: Baja California
Date: 2024-10-11
The smallest aloe, 4 year old rooted cutting, 4 inch pot
Location: University of California Botanical Garden.
Date: April
photo by Stan Shebs
Comments:
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Mar 7, 2013 11:12 AM concerning plant:
    Smallest of the Aloes; from Madagascar.
  • Posted by Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on Feb 7, 2020 6:26 PM concerning plant:
    Clumping dwarf aloe from Madagascar with 2-3 inch rosettes and orange-red, urn-shaped flowers. Old clumps tend to mound. Leaves are rough, dark green to brown, and thick, with white spots and tubercles. Unbranched inflorescences appear in winter bearing up to about 10-15 red flowers with yellow mouths, each about 7-8mm maximum.

    This plant is found in southwestern Madagascar growing on limestone. The geographically separate Saint Augustin Aloe (Aloe descoingsii subsp. augustina) has paler gray-green leaves with more surface texture and flowers that are closer to cylindrical.

    This plant is small enough to get lost in the landscape, but it is a well behaved container plant. It has contributed to many hybrids.

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