Aloe Juvenna (Tiger Tooth Aloe) Care and Propagation

The Tiger Tooth Aloe is endemic to the East African country of Kenya, but it is also cultivated elsewhere for its medicinal properties. It gets the name ‘juvenna’ from its small or juvenile leaves. Like most succulents, this plant is relatively easy to care for and has few plant problems.

Tiger Tooth Aloe plant care involves providing all its growth requirements and protecting the plant from pests and diseases. Common plant problems include root rot, mealybugs, and dehydration. Propagating Tiger Tooth Aloes is primarily done through cuttings, divisions, and offsets.

Read further to learn more about growing Tiger Tooth Aloe. I will cover proper plant care and highlight the growth requirements for this plant. In this article, you will also learn about common plant problems that affect the Tiger Tooth Aloe, how to prevent them, and the proper propagation process.

How To Care for Aloe juvenna

Caring for the Tiger Tooth Aloe involves meeting its specific requirements for the following:

• Soil
• Water
• Light
• Airflow or Ventilation
• Fertilization
• Temperature
• Spacing

Let’s take a deeper dive into each of these growth requirements.

Soil Needs

Tiger Tooth Aloe thrives in the following soil types:

• Sand
• Silt
• Loam
• Cactus (ideal for potted Aloe juvenna plants)

These soils are well-draining, allowing water to percolate through at a moderate pace. Since Aloe juvenna requires a relatively small amount of water for growth, well-draining soil is necessary to prevent excess water accumulation at the plant roots and keep off root rot.

Regular potting mix is not recommended for growing Aloe juvenna because its high density impedes adequate water drainage. You can loosen it up by mixing in sand or perlite. Doing this will improve drainage.

Well-draining soils also allow the Tiger Tooth Aloe roots to breathe and absorb nutrients sufficiently. On the contrary, poorly draining soils encourage water accumulation at the plant roots, which suffocates them and interferes with nutrient uptake.

For indoor plants, ensure that the planters have suitable drainage holes and are not obstructed to allow easy release of excess water. For outdoor plants, you can improve soil drainage by doing the following:

• Mix in some coarse grit sand into the soil to enhance its texture
• Incorporate compost
• Fork up the soil regularly
• Installing a simple drainage system

Tiger Tooth Aloe can grow well in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils, but it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil, with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. 

Watering Needs

Tiger Tooth Aloes are adapted to living in desert-like conditions, requiring little water to survive. Overwatering these plants can cause severe damage due to root rot.

Here are some ways that Aloe juvenna is adapted to arid conditions of low water availability:

• The leaves have thick, fleshy tissue that stores water
• The leaves are covered with a waxy coating, which significantly reduces water loss through evaporation
• They make use of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, which reduces photorespiration.

These succulents should only be watered when the soil dries out, which can be in a week or two (at most). You will need to reduce this watering frequency during cold and wet weather or in humid regions because the evaporation rate is slower, and the soil retains more water.

When watering, do not use too much water. Water until the soil is moderately moist and no more to prevent water damage.

Although Tiger Tooth Aloes are drought-tolerant, they would benefit from an increased watering frequency in Summer–but only when the soil is dry.

Neglecting to water Tiger Tooth Aloes, moreso the indoor ones, can cause them to get dehydrated to the point of death. On the other hand, too much water will cause root rot. Moderate watering is essential for healthy plant growth.

Light Requirements

Tiger Tooth Aloes thrive in partial or shaded sunlight. When exposed to too much sunlight, they redden. In severely low light conditions, the leaves turn and grow toward the direction of the light; a phenomenon called phototropism. 

To ensure that your indoor plants get sufficient light, place them where they can access bright, indirect sunlight, such as near a window or a balcony. You can also supplement natural sunlight with growing lamps when it is insufficient. Here is a product that I recommend from Amazon:

GooingTop LED Grow Light

The GooingTop LED Grow Light (available on Amazon) features a high-efficiency LED lamp attached to a flexible Gooseneck to help you focus in the required direction. It also has a memory timer function, which enables it to come on and off as needed without manual operation.

Garden plants exposed to direct sunlight for long hours should be shaded. This keeps them from getting scorched by harsh UV rays and turning brown. Here is a plant shade that you can use for shading your Tiger Tooth Aloes:

Perfect Sunblock Shade Cloth

This multipurpose shade (available on Amazon) can be used for sheltering your plants and other areas such as swimming pools and patios. It is made from water-permeable mesh, so your plants still get the water they need to grow.

Air Flow Requirements

Indoor Tiger Tooth Aloes should be placed in a well-ventilated area for these reasons:

• They need sufficient carbon dioxide and oxygen to photosynthesize and grow
• Poor ventilation encourages humidity buildup and fungal growth 

Good airflow discourages relative humidity buildup. This creates an unfavorable environment for fungal growth and reduces the prevalence of fungal diseases. It also allows the plant to breathe better.

Indoor plants are more likely to be affected by poor ventilation. Therefore, keep your plants in a well-aerated area in the home. You can also boost ventilation by doing the following:

• Use a dehumidifier
• Fix malfunctioning air conditioning systems
• Run a fan near your potted plants
• Open the windows 
• Use a dehumidifier

Fertilization

You don’t need to fertilize your Tiger Tooth Aloes, primarily if grown in the garden. They can thrive on the nutrients available in unfertilized soil.

However, for a more robust plant, you may fertilize annually in Spring or the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer to avoid overfertilization, which can kill the plants. You can choose between liquid phosphate and cactus fertilizers, but I recommend the latter.

When fertilizing your plants, adhere to the recommended application instructions for safety reasons and to get the best results.

Potted Tiger Tooth Aloes should not be fertilized in the first year after repotting because the potting mix contains all the nutrients that they need.

Temperature Requirements

Tiger Tooth Aloe growth is affected when the temperatures rise too high or drop too low. The ideal temperature range for their optimum growth is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 32 degrees Celsius).

Too hot weather can cause heat damage by dehydrating the plant and scorching the leaves. On the contrary, too cold weather can cause frost damage.

Tiger Tooth Aloes are hardy to US zones 9 to 11 and can be left out all year long in these regions.

Protect your outdoor aloes from hot weather by covering them with a plant shade (as recommended above). During winter, you can protect them by planting them in pots because they are unlikely to survive otherwise.

Regulate the temperatures for your indoor plants by adjusting the AC accordingly. You can use other home heating or cooling systems without an AC if they stay within the recommended temperatures.

Spacing Needs

Tiger Tooth Aloes can extend up to 3 feet (0.9 meters). They are a relatively slow-growing plant and may take up to seven years to reach maturity. Nonetheless, giving your plants ample space to spread ensures they do not get crowded and compete for resources.

For potted plants, avoid growing more than one plant per pot to prevent competition for resources and cross-contamination of plant pests and diseases.

Common Tiger Tooth Aloe Problems

Tiger Tooth Aloes are a fairly hardy plant with few problems. However, here are some common issues to look out for:

Root Rot

Root rot disease causes your plant roots to decompose due to the following problems:

• Overwatering the plant
• Using poorly-draining soil
• Presence of soil fungi 

Water retention at your Tiger Tooth Aloe’s roots suffocates the roots by depriving them of oxygen and nutrients. It also encourages fungal growth.

Root rot travels up the plant, causing irreversible tissue damage. Signs of root rot include brown and mushy leaves (originating from the base of the plant). The plant cannot recover if the entire root tissue is damaged.

Root rot can spread from plant to plant, even among different plant types. Therefore, you need to prevent cross-contamination. These tips can help you protect your plants:

• Cut off contaminated plant parts and dispose of them in a double plastic bag with the garbage.
• Discard whole plants that have been adversely affected by root rot.
• Do not reuse potting mix from infected plants because it contains the fungi spores responsible for root rot.
• Only water your plants when the topsoil is dry to avoid excess water retention.
• Use well-draining soil or enhance your soil’s drainage to encourage good water flow.
• During propagation, make cuttings from plants that have healthy root systems.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are a common problem for many houseplants, including Tiger Tooth Aloes.

These tiny bugs invade as colonies that look like white powdery masses on plant leaves. They are sap-sucking pests that deprive the plant of nutrients, causing plant tissue damage and stunted growth. These plants have weaker immunity and are more susceptible to diseases.

Mealybugs also excrete a sticky honeydew that encourages mold growth. They ruin the plant aesthetic, mainly because their white color stands out. 

To get rid of mealybugs, use an isopropyl alcohol wipe or cotton swab to get rid of those you can see. Then, spray a liquid dish soap and water solution onto the plant. This method is safe and home-friendly.

You can also use commercial pesticides to eliminate mealybugs. If you choose this method, ensure that you read and follow all guidelines carefully because some pesticides are toxic to humans and pets.

Dehydration

Although Tiger Tooth Aloes are drought-resistant plants, they can succumb to dehydration upon depletion of their water reserves.

Signs of a dehydrated plant include:

• Leaf tips appear scorched and shriveled
• Wilted leaves
• Leaves turn yellow

Bottom watering is a very effective method of reviving dehydrated Tiger Tooth Aloes. This procedure involves placing your plant pot into a larger water-filled container for about an hour so water percolates into the plant soil from the bottom upwards.

Shading your plants during harsh, hot weather also prevents dehydration by shielding the plants from excess water loss.

Another helpful strategy is increasing the watering frequency during Summer. Your Tiger Tooth Aloes can lose a lot of water during this season, and if you fail to water them adequately, they may dry out and die.

Unfortunately, sometimes the plant is too severely dehydrated and cannot be revived.

Aloe juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ Propagation

There are three methods used to propagate Tiger Tooth Aloe:

• Using cuttings
• Using Offsets
• Division

Propagating Tiger Tooth Aloe With Stem Cuttings

Begin by identifying a vigorous plant that is free of diseases and pests. Then, follow these steps:

• Cut 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) off a stem end using a clean, sharp blade. 
• Rinse off the cutting with some cold water.
• Let the cutting dry out properly overnight or for a few days.
• Plant the cutting in some well-draining potting mix 
• Ensure that the young plant receives adequate sunlight and aeration.
• Water frequently to encourage root growth, then reduce the frequency as the plant grows so that there isn’t any water retention.

Propagating Tiger Tooth Aloe Using Offsets

Offsets or pups are tiny plants that grow from the mother plants. They are asexually reproduced and are identical to the main plant. The plants that grow from these offsets are identical to the mother plant.

These offsets can be harvested and regrown into new plants using the following steps:

• Identify healthy offsets, preferably those that already have roots.
• Carefully twist off or cut off (with a sterile blade) the offset from the mother plant to preserve the roots.
• Allow them to dry for a day or two.
• Plant the offsets in planters with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
• Water the seedlings regularly and ensure they receive adequate shaded sunlight.

Although this is arguably the easiest method of propagating your Tiger Tooth Aloes, it may take the longest because you must wait for your mother plant to produce viable offsets before rep.

Nonetheless, it is the least invasive propagation method and the most beginner-friendly option.

Propagating Tiger Tooth Aloe by Division

This option involves splitting one plant into two at the root. It is more technical than the other alternatives and requires some expertise.

Select a healthy plant with a well-developed root to apply this propagation method. Using a sharp, sterile blade, cut the root vertically into two equal parts. Plant each part in separate containers and water regularly to encourage proper growth.

Aloe juvenna FAQs

Final Thoughts

Tiger Tooth Aloes are relatively easy to care for. Their growth requirements include:

• Well-draining Soils
• Watering when the topsoil is dry
• Partial or shaded sunlight
• Moderate temperatures (neither too hot nor too cold)
• Adequate ventilation
• Ample growing space

Look out for common plant problems to save a stitch in time. Unfortunately, the plant may not recover if plant tissue is severely damaged.

To prevent cross-contamination of plant pests and diseases, discard infected plant parts and soil in a double plastic bag with the garbage and do not add them to compost.

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