Desert Diamond Aloe

Desert Diamond Aloe (Aloe hybrid 'Desert Diamond') is a small, easy care succulent that grows to about 35cm tall and 45cm wide. It shines almost white while it is actively growing, then blushes pink in the cool months or in dry conditions. It is the aloe to choose when you want colour that changes with the seasons.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that moves. Very white while actively growing, pink through the cooler months and during dry spells, so the plant never looks the same twice in a year.
• Waterwise. Aloes require little water, and a weekly drink in the warmer months is all it asks.
• Pot or garden. It grows as happily in a container indoors or out as it does in a dry, sunny border.
• A broad rosette. At about 45cm wide it fills a bed gap or pot with a low, spreading mass.
• Pups to share. Young plants develop around the base, giving you extra plants to pot on.

Where it works best

Dry sunny borders. Plant 50cm apart in a row for a low, pale edging along a path or driveway. The white foliage lifts dark mulch and gravel.

Rockeries and waterwise gardens. Tuck it among stones where drainage is sharp. It sits well beside blue-grey and silver succulents.

Pots indoors and out. A shallow, wide pot suits its spreading habit. Put it where it gets plenty of sun, and move it under cover in a frosty climate.

Growing Desert Diamond Aloe in Australia

Position and climate. Plenty of sun gives the whitest foliage. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. Frost is the one thing to avoid, so in cold districts keep it in a pot you can move under cover.

Soil. Free draining soil in pots or in the garden. On clay, build up a mound with grit worked through so water cannot pool around the base.

Water and feed. A weekly drink through the warmer months is plenty, tapering off in winter. Give it a half-strength organic liquid feed in spring.

Pups and tidying. Let pups form a loose colony in the garden. In pots, lift the young plants off when space runs short and pot them separately, and peel away dead lower leaves as they dry.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Desert Diamond Aloe as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock arrives small, and the colour develops as the plant grows. Plant it with the crown clear of the soil and water it in lightly. The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day stock is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our aloe range
• Aloe care guide for Australian gardens
• Succulents for hot climates
• Drought tolerant plants

Common questions

Why has my plant turned pink?

That is the plant working as it should. In the cooler months and in dry conditions it blushes pink, and it returns to near white when growth picks up.

How often should I water it?

Weekly in the warmer months, less in winter. Let the soil dry between drinks and make sure the pot or bed drains freely.

Is it toxic to pets?

Yes. Aloes can make dogs and cats unwell if chewed, so keep potted plants out of reach and plant garden beds where pets do not roam.