Tiger aloe (Gonialoe variegata) does not make official lists of dangerous plants, but it is sometimes thought to be toxic to pets because it is lumped into the same category as other aloes, such as aloe vera. The plants belong to different genera, however. Aloe vera is considered toxic to pets; tiger aloe is not. There are almost no serious pest or disease issues with tiger aloe. The flowers are attractive to pollinators, ants, and some beetles, but insects do not harm the plants. Excess water or dense soil, however, can cause root rot.
Light
One reason tiger aloe is a popular houseplant is that it tolerates shady conditions better than many other succulents. It is quite happy in partial shade, though full sun may lend your plant some reddish-brown coloring, adding to its vibrant beauty. If the plant turns brownish-red too quickly, give it some water as this can also be a sign of drought.
Soil
In its native habitat, tiger aloe plants flourish in rocky outcroppings. So they’re not fussy at all about soil, except for requiring excellent drainage. A sandy, semi-dry loam mixture, such as that provided by commercial succulent/cactus potting mix, is perfect.
Water
As with other succulents that store moisture inside their fleshy leaves, the tiger aloe needs water infrequently, when the soil becomes entirely dry to the touch. At that point, water deeply until the excess drains through the bottom of the pot. Too-frequent watering is the single worst thing you can do for these plants.
Temperature and Humidity
The tiger aloe plant has a serious dislike for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Consistent temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. If you grow your tiger aloe indoors, keep it away from your humidifier, kitchen, or bathroom, and don’t put it near other plant arrangements that have trays of water for added humidity. This plant has a natural affinity for arid conditions.
Fertilizer
Tiger aloe can thrive on just a single feeding with a diluted water-soluble balanced fertilizer in the spring. Don’t feed in the fall or winter because the plants have a natural tendency to be somewhat dormant during the winter months.
Types of Tiger Aloe
Other than the species plant, Gonialoe variegata, there is one notable hybrid commonly grown as a houseplant, Gonialoe x Gasterole ‘Green Ice’. This plant was developed by crossing G. variegata with Gasteria ‘Little Warty’. It is a larger plant with rosettes 12 inches in diameter with thicker leaves that are edged in white.
Pruning
As your tiger aloe goes through the growing season, it can shed leaves or the leaves can shrivel and dry. Remove these by simply gently cutting them off. You should also remove any leaves that become damaged.
Propagating Tiger Aloe
Like many succulents, this one produces many offshoots (also known as pups) which can be easily separated from the parent plant: Be patient as your young plant grows to maturity. It’s not uncommon for an offset to require several years before it grows large enough to flower.
How to Grow Tiger Aloe From Seed
Propagation from seeds is not a very common activity because tiger aloe plants grown this way can take as much as seven years to reach flowering maturity. If you want to experiment with this method, simply collect the seed pods as they begin to dry out, crack them open, and gather the small black seeds inside. Sow the seeds on the surface of pots filled with succulent/cactus potting mix, then just barely cover the seeds with additional potting mix. Lightly moisten the potting mix and place the pot in a plastic bag to hold in moisture. Set the pot in a warm location with bright indirect light. Within a few weeks, the seeds should germinate and begin to sprout. At this point, remove the plastic and continue to grow the seedlings for at least six months, at which point they will probably be sturdy enough to transplant to permanent containers.
Potting and Repotting Tiger Aloe
Like most succulents, tiger aloe will do best planted in a well-draining pot filled with coarse potting medium, such as commercial succulent/cactus mix. An unglazed clay pot is ideal, as it will wick moisture and improve drainage. Tiger aloes generally need to be repotted every three years or so.
Overwintering
In the summertime, cold zone gardeners can bring this plant outside and give it a place of pride in the garden, but it should be brought indoors when temperatures go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours. But for best flowering, tiger aloes need to spend a few weeks during the winter at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Get Tiger Aloe to Bloom
If a tiger aloe fails to bloom, it’s often because the plant is simply not old enough. A small potted plant purchased from a garden center might require several years before it achieves the size needed to bloom. These plants also like to have a few weeks spent at temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This period of partial winter dormancy will often stimulate blooms. Tiger aloe is not a heavy feeder, but a mature plant that fails to bloom might respond well to a spring feeding if this has not been part of your routine. Do not, however, overfeed these plants—it won’t prompt more blooms.
Common Problems With Tiger Aloe
There are only a few common complaints with tiger aloe:
Leaves Dry Out and Shrivel
It’s natural for tiger aloe to lose some leaves as it produces new growth. Simply tug or snip off dead, old leaves, making way for new growth to appear.
Plant Sags and Collapses
Novices often mistake sagging for a sign that a plant needs more water, but with tiger aloe, this is usually a sign of root rot created by too much watering. Allow the plant’s soil to dry out entirely before you water again. Root rot that is too far advanced is not curable. If your plant appears beyond redemption, you might be able to pick off some of the offshoots and replant them in new pots with fresh potting mix. Yellowing leaves are often an early sign of root rot beginning to develop.
Leaves Are Bending
Tiger aloe does well in partial shade conditions, but plants that receive too little sunlight can bend their leaves in an effort to find light. If you see this symptom, look for a slightly sunnier spot for your plant.
