how long can aloe stay out of the ground in June?

13 years ago

I was forced to dig up a big chunk of an aloe patch (hardy, garden-variety, toothy aloe with dark leaves and red flowers) last week but was able to salvage a bunch of what look like viable plants with roots. They've been sitting in the shade and I have tried to plant a couple but with the withering heat we're having right now, I'm concerned about planting more. On the other hand, I still have this huge pile of uprooted plants to deal with.

should I go ahead and plant them (I was hoping to use a number of them along the western side of the house - where they would be getting the bulk of the afternoon sun plus reflected light and heat from the house)? or should I leave them in the shade? If so, how long would they last given that it's one billion degrees and dry as a bone?

thanks and stay hydrated!

Comments (3)

judy_b
13 years ago
Almost anything needs relief from the sun when they're just starting out. If you can't give your aloes a little bit of shade, they're probably better off staying in a pile in the shade. They'll last as long as there still seems to be a little moisture in the plant. I don't even have a guess how long that would be. Keep an eye on them and if you find they are all drying out, get some in the ground where you can give them water.
lazy_gardens
13 years ago
In the shade (100% shade) they can last for months. If you bring the ones you want to replant into your house, they can last even longer.

Wait until September to replant them.
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Original Author
13 years ago
thanks to both of you! I also just found out they are aloe saponaria, so I shouldn't be putting them on the western side of the house (like my original plan was. . .) anyway!

I'm going to try and get some in pots and just bring the rest inside. I hate wasting anything, especially if there's a chance they can be fruitful and multiply :-)