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Tiger Aloe

Tiger Aloe Flower

Partridge Breast Aloe Flower

Aloe variegata

Above is the flower of Aloe variegata, also called Tiger Aloe or Partridge Breast Aloe. The names are derived from the appearance of the leaves, rather than the flowers that make their brief appearance. This one, shown flowering in early winter, was photographed at the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC. 

Tiger Aloe grows in a three tiered clump formation with the flowering rosettes reaching 12″. The main body of the plant generally stays under a foot tall. The leaves are bluish green with irregular white jagged stripe patterns. The plant does well indoors if given full light and proper drainage. The teeth on the leaves are not too gnarly making it a relatively friendly household plant! Since they grow in clumps they can be easily propagated to share with friends. 

The plant originates from South Africa and Namibia.

Historically the Aloe plant, especially Aloe Vera, has been used by many cultures as a medicinal plant to treat everything from burns, rashes and bites; to aid as a laxative or soothing serum for stomach ailments like ulcers. Though many people swear by the results, science is still out. There isn’t really much conclusive evidence out there that aloe does have medicinally beneficial properties. It has even been known to slow the healing of certain topical wounds. That said, I have fond memories of having an aloe plant at my dad’s house growing up and whenever we got a sunburn we’d get to pick a leaf tip, pluck it and then squeeze all the goo out for my stepmom to rub on our shoulders. Tradition and assumptions certainly wield at least the power of comfort.