- Thick, Blue-Gray Leaves
- Features Soft, Small Teeth Down Length of Fleshy Leaves
- Gorgeous Orange Blooms on Tall Spikes
- Butterfly Nectar Resource
- Seriously Easy Care
- Xeriscape
- Fascinating Perennial in Zones 9 – 11
- Houseplant in All Zones
- Place in Sun-Soaked Window
- Collectors Gift Plant
Love succulents, and appreciate cactus? Crave color, but demand a low-maintenance, waterwise landscape?
Meet the boldly unique Hedgehog Aloe (Aloe humilis x ‘Hedgehog’), a virile sculptural garden accent. It takes the sword-shaped succulent leaves of Aloe to the next level.
Soft and flexible, recurved marginal spines march along the edge of the leaves. The tiny “teeth” help protect the interior of the plant from getting waterlogged.
In its native South Africa, they act as a built-in rain gutter, flinging raindrops out away from the crown. They look like a cross of succulent and cactus.
Plant Hedgehog Aloe in sharply drained soils in the warmest parts of the country. Everywhere else, keep them as a houseplant in a sunny spot.
In the ground, this hybrid plant develops into a low-growing clump of urn-shaped rosettes. Watch for one or more tall flower spikes to emerge in late winter or early spring.
The fantastic blooms are oversized and bold orange! Anywhere you place Hedgehog Aloe becomes a Pollinator Garden; these showy blooms bring a welcome dimension, and plenty of butterflies.
Indoors, the Hedgehog Aloe helps clean toxins from your air. These rough-textured plants become a noteworthy counterpoint to the beautiful geometry of Echeveria and the smooth, glossy leaves of ZZ Plant.
How to Use Hedgehog Aloe in the Landscape
Leverage the Hedgehog Aloe’s robust good looks, easy care requirements and incredible blooms.You’ll make a big statement for very little effort.
Place them in pockets throughout a dry rock garden to stabilize the soil. You’ll appreciate these waterwise perennials with their incredible large orange blooms, and so will local pollinators.Partner with the sculptural charm of Octopus Agave.
They also make excellent container specimens in a curated collection to provide a strong visual impact. When in bloom, shift your pots to showcase their outstanding flowering display.
Effective interiorscapes rely on the juxtaposition of form and texture. Ground the sinuous upright foliage of Snake Plant with the inward-curved, low-lying, teethed rosettes of Hedgehog Aloe.
Plant a pair of Hedgehog Aloe in complementary pots. Then flank the pots on either side of a Monstera or Fiddle Leaf Fig as perfectly counterbalanced bookends.
Why not place one in your office? They’ll become a playful warning to co-workers to stop taking all your paperclips.
This durable plant needs a nickname…perhaps Brutus, Pokey, Nero, Psicosis, Green Beret or Marlboro might suit. Don’t be surprised by the depth of feeling you’ll generate for this tough little customer.
You will be excited to see the flowers. Take time to notice the incremental growth of your houseplants.
Although interesting, the juicy leaves of this variety are not medicinal. Be sure to grow an Aloe barbadensis for healing ouchy, sunburned skin.
Tips for Care
Give your Hedgehog a place in full sun and well-drained soil. The more sun, the better the performance. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
Water consistently, but allow the top inch of the surface to dry out completely between watering. Do not overwater this plant.
For houseplants, it’s best to water the soil, and not the foliage. Use sharply drained cactus soil mix, and a container with plenty of drainage holes.
After the blooms are done, snip back the stalk below the level of the leaves. Clear debris from the crown, using gloves to protect your hands.
