Aloe Nobilis

A small aloe that stays small

Aloe nobilis — Gold Tooth Aloe, or Variegated Aloe Nobilis in local nurseries — is a compact hybrid aloe. It forms star-shaped rosettes of thick, pointed leaves edged with pale teeth, and this variegated form carries cream-yellow stripes running the length of each leaf. Unlike the medicinal Aloe vera, it stays low and tidy, and it fills out sideways by producing pups around its base until the pot is a cluster of rosettes.

Light

Bright light, with a few hours of direct morning sun if you can give it. In good light the leaves take on an orange-red blush at the edges — that is the plant under healthy stress, not a problem. The variegated stripes are the weak point: the pale tissue has less protection than the green, so full afternoon sun through glass in June scorches it first, as dry brown patches that will not green up again. Pull it back from a west window once the afternoons are past 38°C. The summer care guide covers the same adjustment for the rest of the collection. In too little light, the rosette opens up, the leaves go floppy and the stripes fade.

Water

Every two to three weeks, and only once the soil is completely dry. Aloes store a great deal of water in those leaves; a thirsty one shows thin, slightly curled leaves and plumps back up after a drink. An overwatered one goes soft and brown at the base, which is much harder to fix. Stretch the gap right out through the July and August monsoon, and see how to save a dying succulent if the base turns mushy.

Soil and potting

A gritty, fast-draining mix in a pot with a drainage hole — the soil mix guide has the ratio. When pups crowd the pot, they separate easily with their own roots and can be potted on their own.

Winter

Growth stops from November to February. Water rarely, keep it off cold glass at night and away from direct heater air.

Good to know

Aloes are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed — the sap inside the leaf causes vomiting and diarrhoea. Keep it out of reach of pets. The leaf teeth are firm but not sharp enough to cut.