Plant Library

Other Names:  Tree Aloe

Description:

A multiple branched, tree variety with an upright, spreading habit; impressive rosettes of succulent deep green leaves crown the branches, occasionally produces erect racemes of tubular salmon flowers from spring to fall; a great landscape accent

Ornamental Features

Hercules Aloe features showy racemes of salmon flowers with green tips rising above the foliage from mid spring to mid fall. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The succulent sword-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The peeling gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Hercules Aloe is an evergreen plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Hercules Aloe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Hercules Aloe will grow to be about 35 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Hercules Aloe is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.