Gonialoe dinteri, a dwarf variegated aloe
Gonialoe dinteri
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Genus
- Gonialoe
- Species
- Gonialoe dinteri
Other names:Aloe dinteri, Tulista dinteri
You don't have to live in a huge mansion to enjoy the variegated foliage of Gonialoe dinteri! This plant of the Asphodelaceae family is no taller than a paperback book.
How to recognize Gonialoe dinteri?
A succulent plant with a bushy habit, Gonialoe dinteri grows to no more than 15 cm high and 30 cm wide.
The stemless plant forms a rosette. Leaves are arranged in three rows.
Leaves grow horizontally. This feature distinguishes Gonialoe dinteri from Gonialoe variegata or Gonialoe sladeniana. Indeed, in both species, the leaves are arched and face upwards. Triangular and thick, they appear to be folded in half lengthways. Blades measure up to 30 centimeters long and eight centimeters wide. The green-brown foliage is studded with white dots and the white margin with fine teeth.
Pale pink or bluish flowers appear on a 40-centimetre flowering spike. In Namibia, where Gonialoe dinteri is native, they bloom in winter.
While the flowers attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, the plant is toxic to domestic animals. If ingested, it causes digestive problems. However, it is harmless to humans.
Our care tips
The Gonialoe dinteri like light. But too much light can turn their leaves red. If you want your plant to keep its foliage green, avoid placing it in full sun.
Watering
The Gonialoe dinteri are succulent plants. They can store water in their fleshy leaves and do not need to be watered regularly.
Water with room-temperature water only when the potting soil is completely dry. Water generously so the plant can build up reserves.
Be sure to empty any standing water from the saucer or planter. It may cause the roots to rot.
Misting
The Gonialoe dinteri grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Gonialoe dinteri to give it more space.
In a pierced pot, pour a layer of well-draining substrate. You can use commercially available potting soil for cacti and succulents, or make your own growing medium by mixing ordinary potting soil and sand.
Plant your Gonialoe dinteri in the center and add soil. Be careful not to bury the leaves, and leave a watering basin.
Water generously to encourage rooting and expel air bubbles.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Gonialoe dinteri, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply a cactus and succulent fertilizer to support growth. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage to avoid damaging the foliage.
Prune
Remove wilted flower stems. Cut flush with a clean, sharp tool (scissors, pruning shears, etc.), taking care not to damage the leaves.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
The Gonialoe dinteri enjoy the sun but don't like to have their roots immersed in water. Choose a bright spot with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole suitable for the size of the root ball. Plant your Gonialoe dinteri. Fill in with your garden soil.
To give the plant enough room to grow, space the plants 50 cm apart.
To give the plant enough room to grow, space the plants 50 cm apart.
Sowing
Your seedlings need warmth. Summer is the best time to get started.
Prepare a mixture containing:
- One-third potting soil;
- One-third sand;
- One-third drainage material (gravel, perlite, or pozzolan).
Fill small pots with drainage holes with your substrate. Plant your seed.
Keep your seedlings in a bright room with a temperature of at least 20 degrees.
Mist the soil to keep it moist, but not soggy.
Taking cuttings
To remove the offshoots that appear at the base of the plant, carefully remove it from the soil. Separate the young shoots without damaging the root system.
Obtain a pierced terracotta pot. This material promotes uniform drying of the substrate and reduces the risk of root rot. Pour a bed of clay balls or gravel in the bottom. If the hole is too large and the marbles escape, fill it with a pebble.
For the substrate, prepare a mixture of one-third soil, one-third potting compost and one-third sand. Line the pot with it. Plant your cutting in the center and press down.
Place your succulent in a room where the temperature doesn't fall below 18 degrees. Find a bright spot away from direct sunlight, behind a curtain for example.
Disease / Threat
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrates
- Calcareous earthSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubsPlanter
- Category
- Succulent
- Tags
- BeginnerFloweryToxic
- Origin
- South Africa
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenWhiteBrown
- Flower color
- Pale pink
Discover plants from the same family
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
