Asphodelaceae
Spider Aloe: Full Sun Plant
Aloe humilis
Treat it like any hardy succulent: lots of light, gritty fast-draining soil, and infrequent deep watering. It is very forgiving as long as it never sits in soggy soil.
Every 14 days
Direct sun
2° - 35°C
20% - 50%
Categories
What is Spider Aloe?
Spider Aloe (Aloe humilis) is a easy-care plant from the Asphodelaceae family. Aloe humilis, the spider aloe, is a small clumping succulent from South Africa forming tight rosettes of blue-green, upcurved leaves edged with soft white teeth. In late winter and spring it sends up tall stalks of tubular orange to coral-red flowers loved by pollinators.
Spider Aloe grows up to 15cm, spread of 30cm, watering every 14 days, 2°C â 35°C, 20â50% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Spider Aloe tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 28 days.
How to Care for Spider Aloe?
TLDR: Spider Aloe needs Direct sun, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 2-35°C with 20-50% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Spider Aloe?
Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry, then let it dry out fully again; water sparingly in winter, as excess moisture quickly causes rot.
How Much Light Does Spider Aloe Need?
Give the brightest light you can, including several hours of direct sun; too little light makes the rosettes loose and pale.
What Is the Best Soil for Spider Aloe?
Plant in a very gritty, fast-draining cactus and succulent mix, ideally with extra sand or perlite, in a pot with drainage holes.
What Pot Should You Use for Spider Aloe?
A shallow terracotta pot with drainage holes suits its clumping habit and helps the soil dry quickly.
Care Schedule
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Spider Aloe and Where Does It Come From?
Aloe humilis, the spider aloe, is a small clumping succulent from South Africa forming tight rosettes of blue-green, upcurved leaves edged with soft white teeth. In late winter and spring it sends up tall stalks of tubular orange to coral-red flowers loved by pollinators.
How to Propagate Spider Aloe?
Offsets
- Wait until pups are a few centimeters tall.
- Let cuts callus before potting.
- 1 Separate
Gently remove a rooted pup from the base of the parent rosette.
- 2 Callus
Let any cut surfaces dry for a day or two.
- 3 Pot
Plant in gritty succulent mix and wait a few days before the first light watering.
Materials needed:
Seed Sowing
- Keep warm and only lightly moist.
- Germination can be uneven.
- 1 Sow
Surface-sow seed on a fine, gritty mix and barely cover.
- 2 Germinate
Keep warm, bright and lightly moist under a cover until seedlings appear.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Spider Aloe Grow?
TLDR: Spider Aloe can reach up to 15cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
15cm
Spread
30cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Spider Aloe?
TLDR: Spider Aloe is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Meaning & Symbolism
As a hardy little aloe it is linked with protection, healing and steadfast endurance.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | â |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | â |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | â |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | â |