Mighty Coral™ Aloe

Mighty Coral Aloe (Aloe hybrid) is a semi compact succulent that flowers in the middle of winter, when little else in the garden does. The foliage rosette sits at about 35cm tall and 40cm wide, and in early to mid winter it sends up multi stemmed heads of orange and cream flowers to about 60cm that read as coral pink from across the garden. Bred by Ozbreed for its hardy exotic range, it takes drought and frost in its stride once the drainage is right.

Why you'll love it

• Winter flowers for colour and birds. The orange and cream heads open in early to mid winter, and honeyeaters work them hard when nectar is scarce.
• Drought and frost tolerant. Once established it lives on rain alone in most of southern Australia and comes through frost, a combination few succulents manage.
• A tidy, semi compact habit. It stays a neat rosette rather than sprawling, so a massed bed keeps its shape without constant trimming.
• Almost no upkeep. One feed a year and a snip of the spent flower stems is the whole maintenance list.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart, which is three to six plants per square metre, and the rosettes meet in two seasons to form a low carpet that lights up in winter.

Borders and edging. Two to four plants per linear metre along a path or driveway gives a clean line of foliage with flower heads above it in winter.

Feature plant and pots. A single rosette in a wide, shallow pot of succulent mix, or three grouped at a dry corner, carries a courtyard through the cold months.

Growing Mighty Coral Aloe in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with full sun giving the most flower. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens: New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and southern Queensland in raised beds with free draining soil. In the ACT it is still under trial. The true tropics are too wet for it.

Soil. Most soil types, as long as water drains away. On clay, improve the drainage or plant in a raised bed, because sitting wet through winter rots the base.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then step right back. Chunky mulch kept clear of the leaves, and a slow release fertiliser once a year.

Pruning. Cut the spent flower stems at the base once they fade. That is all. The sap can upset dogs and cats that chew the leaves, so keep it out of a pet's favourite corner.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mighty Coral Aloe in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Each is a rooted rosette about the size of a hand, and they travel well because the fleshy leaves hold their own water. Expect them to sit still for a few weeks while the roots move out, then grow steadily through spring and summer; the first good flowering normally comes the second winter.

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 the full aloe range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More succulents for dry gardens
• Our aloe care guide

Common questions

Will it survive frost?

Yes. It is rated frost tolerant and recommended as far south as Tasmania. The flowers open in winter, so in the coldest districts expect some marking on open heads after a hard frost; the plant itself comes through.

Why is my aloe going soft at the base?

Wet soil. Almost every aloe loss is root or stem rot from poor drainage, not cold or drought. Lift it onto a mound or into a pot of succulent mix and water less.

How far apart for a massed bed?

Plant 50cm apart for a closed carpet in about two seasons. At 40cm it closes faster but crowds the rosettes; at 60cm each plant reads on its own.