Bitter aloe (Aloe ferox) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.

Fertilization

Fertilization once a month during the growing season.

Pruning

Deadhead (or remove) withered flowers after flowering.

Soil

Sand, Loam, Chalky, Sandy loam, Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

Sunlight

Spoonleaf sundew is a carnivorous plant. Its leaves are covered with glands that produce sweet nectar to attract insects. The plant captures insects with its sticky hairs and then secrets digestive enzymes to absorb the insect’s nutrients. Spoonleaf sundew is extremely cold-hardy and often used as an ornamental plant.

Full sun, Partial sun

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Bitter aloe

Water

Every 3 weeks

Sunlight

Full sun

Hardiness Zones

8 to 11

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Questions About Bitter aloe

Watering

Temperature

Fertilizing

What should I do if I water my Bitter aloe too much or too little?

Underwatered Bitter aloe

Bitter aloe and other succulents can endure long periods without water, so it’s unusual to find one of these suffering from underwatering. But, if you somehow forgot about your plant and neglected to water it for a month or more, you’ll probably find your Bitter aloe looking thirsty or with some damage from lack of watering.

It is very easy to identify an underwatered Bitter aloe. Plant look lacklustre and wrinkled. Some may have dried up completely, turned brown and crispy, or dropped off the plant. And of course, the soil will be completely dried out.

If your Bitter aloe is thirsty and underwatered, give it plenty of water as soon as possible. Submerging the pot entirely in water for about 5-10 minutes is a good way to make sure the soil and plant are rehydrated properly. When you feel a sense of moisture on the surface of the soil with your finger, it means the watering is done properly.

Overwatered Bitter aloe

Overwatering is dangerous to Bitter aloe and can be fatal to your plant if you don’t remedy the situation. Too much moisture over time leads to root rot, which prevents the roots from being able to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. Root rot occurs when wet conditions allow fungi and bacteria to flourish in the soil and feed on roots. When you find that it's overwatered, you'd better change the growing conditions, place it somewhere with more air ventilation and adjust water frequency, for example.

The symptoms of overwatering are yellow, swollen, and translucent organs that may even burst open from being over-full with water. If the problem continues without being treated, plant might turn brown or black, and fall off the plant at the slightest touch. Be sure to check the soil to determine if overwatering is the culprit, as some other issues can cause similar symptoms.

It’s a bit difficult (but not impossible) to save an overwatered plant. The key is catching it early before a lot of damage has occurred. If the roots become rotten, it is likely to kill the entire plant. If you suspect you have overwatered your Bitter aloe, the first step is to remove it from its pot and check the roots and soil.

After removing the plant from its pot, gently remove wet soil from around the roots and then rinse them clean in room-temperature water. This helps with removing fungus that might be lurking in the soil and allows you to get a better sense of how healthy the roots are. If your plant has already developed root rot, you will see roots that are dark brown or black, soft, mushy, or slimy.

If the majority of the roots are already affected by root rot, it may not be possible to save the plant. In this case, it is best to remove any healthy stem and try to use these to propagate a new Bitter aloe. If, on the other hand, only a portion of the roots have succumbed to rot and other healthy roots still remain, there is a chance it can be saved.

Use a sterilized cutting tool to remove any unhealthy-looking roots. Once you're left with only the firm, pale roots, it’s a good idea to dip them in a fungicide to kill off any remaining spores. After that you can repot your Bitter aloe in fresh, free-draining potting soil. While this does not always work to save a succulent with root rot, in most cases this plant will be able to make a full recovery and will put out new growth starting in the next growing season.

How often should I water my Bitter aloe?

There’s not a hard-and-fast rule for how often to water Bitter aloe. The best way to determine this is to check the soil and only water when it’s bone dry. You can either stick your finger in the pot or use a moisture meter to check the soil below the surface. When you plant it in a deep pot, you can do this with a stick or chopstick. If it feels even a little bit moist, wait a few days and check it again.

Most people will need to water Bitter aloe about every two weeks in summer and once a month in winter, but there are several factors that can change the frequency. The section below lists some considerations that can help you to determine how often to water.

What should I consider when watering my Bitter aloe?

There are several environmental conditions that will affect how your Bitter aloe needs to be watered, including the container size, soil type, temperature, and humidity.

First off, the container and soil you use will determine how often to water and how much water to use each time. Be sure you use a container with plenty of drainage holes in the bottom so extra water can escape the pot. A small container has less room for soil, meaning it won’t hold as much moisture, while a larger pot will stay wet longer and need to be watered less often. It’s important not to keep your Bitter aloe in an oversized pot as this can easily lead to overwatering. When repotting, move to just one size larger than the current container. A shallow container works better than a deep one, since Bitter aloe has shallow root systems.

Bitter aloe will need to be watered less often in winter and more often in the active growing season in spring and autumn. During the winter, growth slows down considerably and the plant isn’t using much energy or water. There is less water lost to evaporation in cooler winter air, meaning that soil stays wet for much longer than it would in the summer.

This also applies to the general climate around your home. If you live in a humid location with a lot of rain, you will need to water less often than if you live in a dry, arid climate. Remember that conditions at the same geographic location can vary significantly with the season and the use of indoor heating and air conditioning.

Outdoor Planting

If Bitter aloe is planted in the ground, after establishing a root system, it shouldn’t need supplemental water beyond what it receives through precipitation and dew. But if there is a long dry period, you may want to water occasionally. In other areas where Bitter aloe can only be grown in a container, this plant can be moved outside in the spring and summer when the temperature is proper and then brought back inside when temperatures start to drop. A potted Bitter aloe kept outside usually needs more water than the same plant kept indoors, because there is a lot more sun exposure even on a shaded porch.

How to water Bitter aloe?

The best way to water Bitter aloe is to soak it thoroughly and then allow it to dry out before it gets watered again. Since this plant is somewhat drought tolerant, you can let it get quite dry before watering again. It is always better to give this type of plant too little water over too much.

When you water, make sure the soil gets thoroughly soaked throughout the whole pot. Don’t pour the water in just one spot, but rather try to go around the whole rim of the planter to be sure that it has a chance to get wet on all sides of the plant. The correct amount of water will depend on the size of your container and how much water your soil absorbs. Give your Bitter aloe enough water that it drains out from the drainage holes and then (ideally) leave the drained water in the saucer for about 20-30 minutes to absorb into dry pockets of soil. After that, discard any excess water that’s still in the saucer to avoid the soil getting waterlogged.

Bottom-watering is also an excellent method for Bitter aloe, as you can be sure that the soil gets thoroughly moistened. This process involves placing the pot into a saucer of water and allowing the soil to absorb moisture through the drainage holes. You will know that the soil has absorbed enough water when the top layer is moist. This takes a bit more time than top-watering, but is almost foolproof in getting an even distribution of water throughout the pot.

The original habitat of Bitter aloe is relatively dry with little rain, but when it rains, the soil will be thoroughly moistened. So you can mimic this situation by bottom-watering your plant when the soil is totally dry. Deep soil bathing is better than frequent light watering for Bitter aloe.

What's the ideal temperature for your Bitter aloe?

It is more suitable to keep the Bitter aloe in a particular range of conditions. Temperatures the same as 75-90℉ (25-32℃) are ideal for it. During the early winter season, the temperature shouldn't go below 75℉(25℃) for Bitter aloe. You can even move it indoors as it will have better protection from the extremes.

Despite that, the Bitter aloe can survive in some extreme temperatures. Sometimes can survive in low temperatures like 50℉ (15℃), but it is not ideal. You should bring it inside if winter conditions are expected outside.

How should I adjust the temperature for my Bitter aloe during different growing phases?

Bitter aloe has different growing phases. In the first stage, the dormant seed grows and transforms into a seedling. The dormant seeds need the appropriate conditions in their surroundings to grow as their seeds need a temperature of 75-90℉ (25-32℃) to germinate. The ideal time to make it grow vigorously is during the summer, as the most suitable temperature is around 85℉(30℃). You can adjust the placement of your Bitter aloe from indoors to sunlight during the hot summer months to receive enough sunlight.

How can I keep my Bitter aloe warm in cold seasons?

It's advisable to bring your Bitter aloe indoors to avoid the harsh winter conditions. People opt to buy different types of grow light to provide enough sunlight for the plant. However, if your home is not extremely dark, it is not essential to buy these lights. Keep your plants where they will get the most sunlight possible. There should be sufficient light to keep the Bitter aloe thriving in winter. If you have several Bitter aloe, then keep them rotating so that they all receive enough sunlight.

Avoid placing your Bitter aloe too close to the window if you live in northern areas with frigid weather. The cold may be extreme to them, due to which they might get damaged.

What happens to my Bitter aloe when the temperature is too high or too low?

Your Bitter aloe can grow better in summers and do better in warm temperatures 90℉(32℃) but you should protect it from temperature extremes during hot climates.

However, during winter, it is better to keep your plant dry. Bitter aloe do well in temperate climates having temperatures between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). However, some gardeners can expose their Bitter aloe to extreme temperatures causing stress in their plants. While high temperatures ranging between 90℉ and 95℉(32-35℃) can help maintain the deep colors for Bitter aloe, you must be careful when trying out such experiment. During the hot summer season extremely high temperatures can burn your Bitter aloe damaging their stem and root system. During the hottest time of the day (when the temperature is extremely high), consider relocating your plant to a shaded place or protect them with a shade cloth.

How should I adjust the temperature for my Bitter aloe in different seasons?

In summers, high temperatures make the growth of Bitter aloe slowed down to survive in too hot a temperature.

As the cooler periods and rainfall begins, the Bitter aloe starts growing. If the place you live in has hot summers and warm winters with more rainfalls, you aren't required to change anything.

However, if you live in a place with cold winters, you should let your Bitter aloe grow more in summer and rest in winter. It is because there is not enough sunlight for Bitter aloe to grow in winter.

You can help your Bitter aloe enter dormancy if you live in a place with cold temperatures by decreasing the temperature to 50℉ to 75℉ (15℃ to 25℃).

How can I keep my Bitter aloe warm without a heating pad?

To withstand freezing temperatures outside, as a solution, you can insulate your Bitter aloe with frost cloths, row covers, tents etc. You can also mulch your Bitter aloe with small rocks. Mulching the Bitter aloe soil will provide warmth to your plants and will not let you over-water the plant.

How can I protect my Bitter aloe from temperature damage?

Bitter aloe is adapted to sunlight and requires sufficient sunlight for healthy growth. You can place it in an outdoor environment without any shade. However, Bitter aloe shouldn't be kept for a long time in the blazing sunlight in the hot summer when it requires to be put under shade so that extreme temperature doesn't damage them. If the winter is extreme in our area, you must keep your Bitter aloe indoors to keep them away from frost.

What are the tips and precautions for keeping my Bitter aloe at the right temperature?

Increase water and fertilizer during the growth of plants in spring and summer. Prevent your plant from receiving too much sunlight. To cool plants, spray water around them when the temperature is exceptionally high but don't put water on their stem.

Why do I need to fertilize my Bitter aloe?

Fertilizing Bitter aloe adds nutrients to the growing medium. Even though it does store water and nutrients, applying plant food during the growing season helps support healthy growth. Fertilizing can also encourage mature specimens to produce blooms in the growing season.

When is the best time to fertilize my Bitter aloe?

While all plants benefit from additional nutrients, Bitter aloe only needs a light dose of fertilizer during the growing season. The frequency of fertilization should be 1-2 times a year. It is suggested to fertilize your Bitter aloe in the spring and autumn, but not in winter&summer when it is dormant. Be careful with repotted plants, you will want to reduce the amount of fertilizer. It’s also a good idea to wait a couple of months after repotting before you start applying fertilizer.

When should I avoid fertilizing my Bitter aloe?

Like most plants, Bitter aloe has a dormancy period and it is when you want to stop the applications of fertilizer. In the summer and winter, the plant ceases growing, and it is when you want to stop applying fertilizer. It’s also a good idea to cease fertilizing for the first couple of months after repotting in the spring.

What type of fertilizer does my Bitter aloe need?

It’s best to use a liquid plant food formulated for succulents and cacti when you are fertilizing Bitter aloe. Dilute the fertilizer with water to half-strength. You do not want the fertilizer building up in the soil. Apply the fertilizer to the base of the plant and water thoroughly, ensuring any excess moisture drains from the container or seeps into the ground.

How do I fertilize my Bitter aloe?

It is easier to use liquid plant food when you are fertilizing Bitter aloe, but granules are another option. Follow the directions on the packaging, making sure you dilute liquid fertilizers to half-strength. Whether you are using granules are liquid plant food, always apply it to the soil. Cover the granules with a thin layer of soil and water regardless of the type of plant food you are using.

What happens if I fertilize my Bitter aloe too much?

Over-fertilizing Bitter aloe is a common problem with new and experienced gardeners. The plant has low nutritional needs and it’s easy to apply a little too much fertilizer. Over-fertilizing Bitter aloe can burn the plant’s sensitive roots resulting in its slow decay. Without its root system, the plant cannot absorb nutrients and moisture.

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Common Pests & Diseases

Common issues for Bitter aloe based on 10 million real cases

Aged yellow and dry

Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.

Solutions: If the yellowing and drying of leaves and flowers is a natural progression due to age, nothing can be done to slow or stop the process. Once hormones within the plant begin the process of senescence, it’s irreversible.

Leaf rot

This pathogen can cause the leaves to rot.

Solutions: Bacterial infections need to be treated quickly to prevent the spread to neighboring, healthy plants, potentially wiping out large sections of your indoor or outdoor garden. In mild cases: Use sterilized (10% bleach solution) pruning shears or scissors to remove any infected plant parts, making sure to dispose of them off site. Use a copper-based bactericide to treat the unaffected foliage, as well as the soil, and neighboring plants. Follow the manufacturer’s rate and timing directions found on the product label. In severe cases, where more than half the leaves are affected: Remove all of the infected plants from the garden, disposing of them off site. Treat the soil and neighboring plants using a copper-based bactericide. Follow the manufacturer’s rate and timing directions found on the product label.

Brown spot

This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.

Solutions: In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary. Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear. Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread. Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.

Scars

Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.

Solutions: Each source of scarring requires a different approach to help your plant recover. Protect the trunk and leaves from physical damage like scrapes. If pests or disease are the cause of scarring, isolate the plant from others to avoid further spread. Some pests can be removed with organic remedies such as a soft cloth and soapy water solution or diluted isopropyl alcohol spray. Stop sunburn by moving your plant away from direct sunlight and making sure it has the water it needs. Frequent leaf or bud loss may be due to insufficient light or nutrients.

Low light

A lack of sunlight will cause the stems and leaves to elongate and appear lighter in color.

Solutions: Low light can only be addressed by increasing light availability, and these measures will only stop further etoliation; current distortion cannot be reversed. Move plant to a position where it receives more light. Check the requirements for specific species, as too much sunlight can cause a plant to burn. Introduce appropriate artificial lighting. Some people choose to prune the longest stems so the plant can concentrate on healthy new growth under the improved lighting.

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Distribution Map

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

More Info

Plant Type

Succulent

Flower Color

Orange

Red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Late fall, Winter

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Aloe

Species

Bitter aloe

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Add to My Garden

Bitter aloe

Aloe ferox

Also known as: Red aloe, Ferocious aloe, South African aloe

Bitter aloe comprise a large genus of shrubby succulent plants with a wide variety of forms. Most members have a distinct rosette of leaves at the base with no stem and grow in warm, dry climates. Many species are cultivated for their pointy, toothed, decorative foliage, or colorful flower clusters.

Every 3 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

Care Guide for Bitter aloe

Water

Fertilization

Fertilization once a month during the growing season.

Pruning

Deadhead (or remove) withered flowers after flowering.

Soil

Sand, Loam, Chalky, Sandy loam, Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial sun

Know the light your plants really get.

Find the best spots for them to optimize their health, simply using your phone.

Download the App

Questions About Bitter aloe

Watering

Temperature

Fertilizing

What should I do if I water my Bitter aloe too much or too little?

Underwatered Bitter aloe

Overwatered Bitter aloe

How often should I water my Bitter aloe?

What should I consider when watering my Bitter aloe?

There are several environmental conditions that will affect how your Bitter aloe needs to be watered, including the container size, soil type, temperature, and humidity.

Outdoor Planting

How to water Bitter aloe?

What's the ideal temperature for your Bitter aloe?

How should I adjust the temperature for my Bitter aloe during different growing phases?

How can I keep my Bitter aloe warm in cold seasons?

What happens to my Bitter aloe when the temperature is too high or too low?

How should I adjust the temperature for my Bitter aloe in different seasons?

How can I keep my Bitter aloe warm without a heating pad?

How can I protect my Bitter aloe from temperature damage?

What are the tips and precautions for keeping my Bitter aloe at the right temperature?

Why do I need to fertilize my Bitter aloe?

When is the best time to fertilize my Bitter aloe?

When should I avoid fertilizing my Bitter aloe?

What type of fertilizer does my Bitter aloe need?

How do I fertilize my Bitter aloe?

What happens if I fertilize my Bitter aloe too much?

Get tips and tricks for your plants.

Keep your plants happy and healthy with our guide to watering, lighting, feeding and more.

Download the App

Common Pests & Diseases

Common issues for Bitter aloe based on 10 million real cases

Aged yellow and dry

Natural aging can cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out.

Learn More

Leaf rot

This pathogen can cause the leaves to rot.

Learn More

Brown spot

This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.

Learn More

Scars

Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.

Learn More

Low light

A lack of sunlight will cause the stems and leaves to elongate and appear lighter in color.

Learn More

Treat and prevent plant diseases.

AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.

Download the App

Distribution Map

Map

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

More Info

Plant Type

Succulent

Flower Color

Orange

Red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Late fall, Winter

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Aloe

Species

Bitter aloe

Find your perfect green friends.

Plan your green oasis based on your criteria: plant type, pet safety, skill level, sites, and more.

Download the App

Related Plants

# Useful Tips