Aloiampelos Ciliaris (Climbing Aloe) Care and Propagation

Proper care of climbing aloes is essential to ensure your plant’s long-term health and longevity. Climbing aloe, with the botanical name Aloiampelos Ciliaris, is a fast-growing succulent plant that is easier to maintain.

Climbing aloes require adequate sunlight, plenty of water, and good soil conditions. You can use various cutting methods to propagate the plant. Moreover, pruning, repotting, use of fertilizer, and pest control can be used to take good care of climbing aloes.

It may be a bit overwhelming for a beginner to learn to keep their plant alive, but this article will make the task easier for you. In the rest of this article, I’ll help you learn everything you need to do to keep your climbing aloes growing and happy in greater detail.

Climbing Aloe Care 101: Water, Soil, Light, and More

The most important factors in caring for your aloe are:

Adequate water
Good soil conditions
Direct sunlight
Warm temperatures

Unlike many other plants, the climbing aloe has very specific requirements.

Water

Climbing aloe isn’t a thirsty plant and doesn’t require frequent watering. Given its desert-loving nature, you may need to water it no more than once a week. The ideal time to water it is when the soil has dried out.

One good practice is to check the soil by putting your finger in the top 1 to 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm). If the soil is still moist, don’t water it. Another way is to check the leaves, which may look dry and hence indicate the need for watering.

Soil

Climbing aloes require soil that has good drainage. This is especially important if you’re planting it indoors in pots, as water may have a harder time draining from pots. If your aloe is exposed to excess moisture, it increases the risk of:

Bacteria
Fungus
Root rot

A soil mix with sandy, loamy soil works best for this succulent plant. Adding perlite and gravel to the soil can greatly improve drainage.

Light

Being native to South Africa, climbing aloes grow best in warm climates. They are quite tolerant of heat and thrive under bright, sunny conditions. When planted in indoor pots, the pots should be placed next to windows facing the sun.

It is recommended to provide at least six hours of sunlight each day, but having more sunny hours is always a better option.

However, partial shade is recommended for smaller outdoor plants to protect them from extreme sunburn.

Temperature and Humidity

Although climbing aloes may tolerate extreme weather, there are exceptions. It can’t grow in freezing temperatures. It is best to grow it indoors in pots with plenty of sunlight or artificial light in colder climates.

Climbing aloes are relatively particular about temperature. They require daytime temperatures ranging between 68°F to 80°F (20°C to 27°C) to thrive.

The ideal nighttime temperature is between 64°F to 70°F (18°C to 21°C).

Climbing aloes also prefer humid environments. Ensure their environment has a humidity of around 40% for best results.

Using Fertilizer

Although climbing aloe can grow well without needing fertilizer, you can still use a balanced fertilizer to aid your plant’s growth. The best type of fertilizer is one without harsh chemicals since prolonged exposure to these chemicals could result in a shorter lifespan.

Another option is to use organic matter or compost.

Pruning

Another way to care for your climbing aloe is by regular pruning. Since it is a fast-growing plant, you may need to prune it regularly by cutting some old leaves and stems. The plant grows rapidly in the season following spring, so early spring is a great time for pruning.

Repotting

Repotting is necessary if you’re growing your climbing aloes in a pot. As your climbing aloe grows, it will need more space for its roots to spread adequately.

When repotting your climbing aloe, try not to go for a huge pot unless it really needs the space. Going one size up at a time is recommended. Given the shallow root system of the plant, it is also recommended to use a wider pot rather than a deeper one.

Pest and Disease Control

Like many other plants, your climbing aloes could attract pests and develop certain diseases. The most common problems are:

Mealybugs
Aphids
Scale
Root rot

Mealybugs

Despite their small size, mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that feed off your plants. They are easily visible, so you’ll know pretty quickly if your climbing aloe has a case of the mealybugs.

To get rid of mealybugs, you can use neem oil instead of chemical pesticides. This is a natural pesticide that will work quickly and efficiently to treat your aloe.

Aphids

The aphid is another insect that feeds on the plant’s sap, damaging your climbing aloe over the long run. It may hinder your plant’s growth and alter the appearance of flowers and leaves. One way of getting rid of aphids is to use a good insecticidal soap.

Scale

Scale insects have thousands of species that feed on plant sap. Honeydew, a gooey and sticky material secreted by certain scale species, may attract other insects like ants while simultaneously encouraging the onset of a fungal illness called sooty mold.

The use of neem oil and insecticidal soap may help with getting rid of minor scale infestations. However, pruning the affected parts may be necessary for a major infestation.

Root Rot

Poor drainage is the main culprit if your plant gets root rot. As your climbing aloe requires little watering, overwatering and prolonged exposure to moisture may damage its root system and result in leaves turning brown.

Watering less, changing the soil mix and using a pot with bigger draining holes may help the plant. Pruning may be required of the affected parts if the rot has caused a lot of damage.

Methods of Propagation of Climbing Aloe

Offsets

Using offsets to grow a new plant is the easiest method to practice. Offsets are small baby parts that come from the mother plant. They can be removed with care and planted in a new pot.

Plant the offsets in a well-drained soil mix with enough water, plenty of sunlight, and warm temperatures. The new roots may be seen growing in a few weeks.

Seeds

Sowing seeds is an option to propagate climbing aloes, but it may take longer.

Use well-draining, moist soil to sow your seeds with plenty of direct sunlight.
Keep the temperature between 68-77°F (20-25°C) for the seeds to germinate.
Once the seeds germinate in a few weeks, you’ll have to wait for the stems to harden.
As the stems harden, you may transplant them to other containers.

Cuttings

Stem or leaf cuttings can be used to grow new climbing aloes. Make sure to leave the cutting for some hours to dry out until a callus appears before planting.

Plant the cutting in well-draining, moist soil. You can use rooting hormone powder to promote your plant’s growth. Roots will take a few weeks to grow.

Final Thoughts

Climbing aloe is an easy-to-grow plant and isn’t very hard to maintain. Providing proper temperature, plenty of sunlight, and watering less with well-draining soil will keep your plant happy.

You can utilize natural fertilizer and practice regular pruning and repotting to care for your plant. Protecting your plant against pests and diseases will also guarantee your plant’s health and longer life.

You may also propagate climbing aloes using offsets, sowing seeds, and cuttings. Using offsets and cuttings are easier methods as compared to growing from seeds.