The Tiger Tooth Aloe enjoys great popularity in the USA. However, in some parts of the world, it is almost an insider tip among succulent lovers. And that, although it is a super beginner plant.
This article will teach you everything you need to know to care for your Aloe juvenna.
Origin of the “Tiger Tooth Aloe“
The origin of Aloe juvenna has long been a mystery. Peter Edward Brandham and Susan Carter Holmes described it as early as the 1970s. In 1979, it was published for the first time. But it was in 1982 that specimens were found in the wilderness of Kenya and Tanzania. But why is this interesting?
The plant was known for quite some time before wild specimens were found. They grew far away from the rainforest on mountain ridges at an altitude of 7,545 feet (2,300 meters) between grass and rock, so an area that only invites to explore it with suitable equipment. Nevertheless, the plant has been known to us for much longer than before it was discovered in the wild. When and how it was cultivated remains unclear to this day.
The Aloe juvenna belongs to the genus Aloe and thus to the family of grass trees (Xanthorrhoeaceae). To be precise, it is in the subfamily of the asphodel family (Asphodeloideae).
Appearance and characteristics of Aloe juvenna
Several stems can grow from the base of the succulent. These stems, or shoots, are covered with densely arranged leaves.
The leaves themselves are thick-fleshed and pointed. They form small bright, and soft spines on their edges.
The leaves also have bright spots. In addition to the typical green leaves, there are also specimens with red leaves. The Aloe reaches a height of up to 12 inches. Due to its creeping growth, it grows up to 24 inches wide.
Flower
Under suitable conditions, the houseplant forms a red inflorescence after the summer break. That originates from the shoot tip and reaches a length of up to 10 inches.
A cluster of flowers forms at the end of the inflorescence. The flowers themselves are coral red to orange and have greenish tips.
Here you can find a picture of the flowers.
Location of the Aloe juvenna
It should have a bright location if your succulent stands indoors all year round. A south or east-facing window is suitable here.
Even if the succulent likes it bright, placing it in direct sun is optional.
You can put it outside as soon as the outside temperatures become stable in double digits. Again, direct sunlight is not necessary.
However, it would help if you slowly acclimated them to the stronger sunlight by first placing them in partial shade. Optimally, Aloe juvenna gets 6 hours of daylight a day.
Overwintering the tiger tooth aloe
The tiger tooth aloe is not hardy. Therefore, put it outside only in a pot and not plant it in a bed. As soon as the temperature drops below 54 °F, you should bring it back indoors.
Also, in winter, it needs a bright location. Temperatures should be between 46 °F and 57 °F. Don’t worry, if it is warmer, this is fine too. However, this will harm flowering.
During the winter months, Aloe juvenna needs even less water than usual. Therefore, you can stretch the watering to 3 to 4 weeks. You should use only water again when the substrate is completely dry.
Watering Aloe juvenna
As a succulent, Aloe juvenna needs little water. Over the summer, I recommend watering it every two weeks. Then, starting in the fall, you should reduce watering again.
With succulents, it is vital to water only a little. Therefore you should check if the substrate is dry before every watering. Only when the substrate is dry, water again.
If you keep your Tiger Tooth Aloe in a pot, it should have a drainage hole. If water collects in the saucer, it must be poured away.
That will reduce the risk of overwatering and waterlogging.
Fertilize Aloe juvenna
Succulents usually do not need many nutrients. That is also true for Aloe juvenna; many plant keepers don’t fertilize them.
I recommend you fertilize them once in the spring and fall. Especially if you keep them in low-nutrient clay granules. When fertilizing yourself, you should do it sparingly. Less is more!
As a fertilizer, I recommend cactus and succulent fertilizer*. This fertilizer is tailored to the nutrient needs of succulents.
The optimal substrate for Aloe juvenna
When it comes to the substrate, follow the natural location. That means that coarse, nutrient-poor soil with good drainage properties is best.
Here you have two options. You can put Aloe juvenna in pure clay granules* or use cactus and succulent soil*. By the way, you can also mix succulent soil yourself!
To further improve the drainage properties, you can mix expanded clay* and sand into the soil. In addition, you can add a layer of clay shards or expanded clay to the bottom of the pot.
For more tips on how to improve drainage for succulents, check out this post!
Repotting a tiger tooth aloe
As a slow-growing plant, Tiger Tooth Aloe does not need to be repotted frequently. Repotting is an option when the current pot becomes too small to hold the houseplant or when it is rooted.
The best time to repot is in the spring.
I recommend replacing the old substrate when repotting. This way, your succulent will continue to receive all the nutrients it needs.
Pruning the Tiger Tooth Aloe
The tiger tooth aloe does not need ornamental pruning. However, if shoots become too long, you can shorten them. It would be best if you cut off dead and diseased leaves. That can stimulate new growth.
Whenever you cut, you should use a sharp and clean knife. That will not only prevent bruising but also reduce the risk of infection.
Propagate Aloe juvenna
If you want to propagate Aloe juvenna, there are three ways to do this: Cuttings, cuttings, and seeds. In the following, I will introduce you to the three methods.
Propagation by offshoots
With older specimens, offshoots form next to the mother plant. You can separate them from the mother plant and place them in their pots if you discover them. That is the best way to do it:
- Carefully remove the substrate from the mother plant’s roots and the offshoot.
- Identify the roots that form a connection between the offshoot and the mother plant and cut them towards the mother plant.
- Then place the cuttings in their containers with cactus and succulent soil*.
After placing the cuttings in their pots, they do not differ from the care of the mother plant.
Propagation by cuttings
Like many other succulents, Tiger Tooth Aloe can easily be propagated by cuttings. Here’s the best way to do it:
- First, place the desired shoot tip in cold water. That will reduce the flow of sap, which will be helpful later.
- Now cut off 2 to 4 inches of the shoot tip.
- Remove the leaves in the 1 inch to the cut, thus exposing the stem.
- Let the cutting dry overnight. That will prevent infection. If you did not put the shoot in cold water before, let the cutting dry for 1 to 2 days.
- Now put the “bare” end of the cutting into cactus and succulent soil*.
- Place the cutting in a bright place and keep the soil moist.
As soon as roots have formed, you can place it in its final location.
Propagation by seed
I do not recommend propagation by seed. The seeds that can be purchased here rarely germinate. Moreover, the process is complicated.
Diseases, pests, and care mistakes of the “Tiger Tooth Aloe”
Diseases
Tiger Tooth Aloe is highly resistant to diseases. If it goes wrong, it is usually due to care mistakes.
Pests
You should rinse off the plant if you discover mealybugs or aphids on your Aloe juvenna. Then isolate it to prevent the pests from spreading to other plants.
You should remove the most heavily infested parts of the plant if it is a heavy infestation. Furthermore, it can help to spray the plant with lemon balm spirit.
Alternatively, you can also use an appropriate No products found..
Care mistakes
Often care mistakes are to blame when your houseplant needs to do better. Below I will describe the typical care mistakes and show appropriate solutions.
Yellow leaves
If your succulent gets yellow leaves, it is usually due to too much water. Try to stretch the intervals between watering and water only when the substrate is thoroughly dry.
Brown leaves / brown spots
It is probably sunburned if the leaves turn brown or get brown spots. Sunburn occurs incredibly shortly after you put the succulent outside.
Try to put it in a shadier place and watch the leaves.
Soft brown leaves
Leaves become soft and brown when the plant is dealing with rot.
In this case, root rot may have developed due to waterlogging. In this case, you can hardly save the plant.
Pot it in a fresh substrate with excellent drainage properties. Remove all rotting parts of the plant..
Water the succulent only when the substrate is dry. Make sure there is no water in the pot or saucer.
Dry brown leaf tips
If the leaf tips become brown and shriveled, the succulent lacks water. Always try to water them once the substrate is completely dry.
I’ll answer your questions!
Is the Aloe juvenna poisonous?
Aloe juvenna does not appear on any list of poisonous plants. Therefore, you can assume it is not toxic to humans or animals.
However, if you want to be on the safe side, you should place it out of reach of children and pets.
Don’t miss out!
Sources
Aloe juvenna. (2018, April 28). In Wikipedia. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_juvenna
Aloe juvenna. (2022, June 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_juvenna
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