Tiger Tooth Aloe, also known as “Aloe juvenna,” is a lovely Aloe having white spots. The spiky leaves stack together to create a rosette. Green foliage turn reddish-brown when “happy stressed.”
Aloe Juvenna is just a clump-forming succulent plant native to Kenya that branches from the base. Their leaves feature menacing-looking spiky edges, which gives rise to the popular name ‘tiger tooth.’
Although the spines on the margins of the leaves look to be sharp, they are actually innocuous and do not pierce when touched. The leaves range in hue from bright green to red-brown and are dotted with white-flecked dots.
Why is ”Aloe juvenna” called ”Tiger Tooth Aloe”?
“Tiger Tooth Aloe” is a colorful Aloe that grows in hot, dry regions. It is extremely resilient and readily adapts to different surroundings. The “teeth” are spines that grow along the margins of the leaves, giving the rosette the appearance of a tiger’s jaws.
Where to Plant Tiger Tooth Aloe?
Tiger Tooth Aloe is not cold-resistant, it is recommended to grow it in a container that can be moved indoors if you reside in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C).
It thrives in full to partial sunlight. Plant at a location in your garden that receives 6 hours of direct sunshine every day.
How to Grow “Tiger Tooth Aloe” from Cuttings?
To grow/propagate “Tiger Tooth Aloe” from cuttings, use a clean, sharp knife or scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant and callous it for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. When the earth has totally dried up, water it.
“Tiger Tooth Aloe” offsets will result in little rosette offsets. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors, cut the offsets from the main stem. Allow one to two days for the offsets to dry before putting them on well-draining soil.
Lighting Requirements for Indoors
Indoors, place in a light spot. If feasible, use an east-facing window. A window facing south or west can also suffice. Overwatering, along with insufficient illumination, might cause the plant to die prematurely. You may need to move the plant about your house a few times to find the optimum spot for it.
Consider utilizing a grow light in regions that receive low illumination at all times of the year. Grow lights may augment your plants’ illumination needs, particularly during the long, dark winters.
Sunlight Requirements for Outdoors
The plant Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ can endure light shade to full sun. They thrive in sunny regions with moderate shade from direct sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight, the plant develops a brownish-red tint.
It is advisable to acclimatize the plant before bringing it outside or increasing the quantity of sunshine it receives to help prevent sunburn or solar damage. Increase the quantity of sunshine it receives gradually until it is completely adapted to the sun. Remember that even if the plant is accustomed to full light, it might still get burnt during a heatwave or high heat. Mature plants are more heat tolerant than young ones.
Frost Tolerance
Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ can endure minor frost and cold conditions as long as they are not prolonged. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, you may leave the plant outside all year and even put it in the ground. My plant endures the harsh rains and sometimes the frost that we get in the winter.
If you live in a location with harsh winters, growing these plants in pots is the best option. In this manner, you may bring them inside during the winter or when frost or snow is expected. If you are unable to bring the plants inside, there are techniques to protect them from frost & freezing conditions outside. To help them survive the chilly winter, use frost clothes or small greenhouses.
Soil Requirements
Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ plants, like other succulents, require well-draining soil. Proper irrigation goes hand in hand with the suitable type of soil. Succulents are prone to root rot, so well-draining soil is essential for keeping them alive, especially if you’re not sure how to hydrate them.
Requirements for Watering
Watering is heavily influenced by the climate in which you reside. Although these plants are well-acclimated to arid environments, they perform significantly better when provided with adequate water.
You won’t need to water as much if you live in a humid climate. And if you keep the plants indoors, you may not need to water them as frequently, especially if they are not getting enough light. For these plants, too much water and not enough sunshine are a formula for catastrophe. Adjust your watering requirements based on how much light the plant receives.
Checking the soil moisture is a useful technique to identify if it’s time to water. Before you may water again, the top inch of soil must feel dry. If you’re not sure how much or how often to water at first, it’s usually best to go underwater & increase watering as needed.
How to Propagate Tiger Tooth Aloe?
Propagating Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ Plants of Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ produce pups and offsets. The easiest approach to propagate these plants is to separate the pups and remove the offsets from the mother plant. Of course, you’d have to wait till your plant develops pups or offshoots before doing any propagation. Based on experts’ opinions these plants cannot grow from leaf cuttings.
How to remove pup?
Locate pups that appear to be large enough to remove. When removing the pup, try to get some roots. You may remove a pup without roots, but you’ll have far better luck with ones that already have roots. Pups without roots will ultimately root themselves, but those with established roots have a better chance of survival. Similarly, larger pups are stronger than a smaller pups and have a higher chance of living on their own.
Take care of the offshoot. Some pups are more easily removable than others. It is sometimes possible to separate them by gently twisting the pup away from the mother plant. To inspect the roots, it is preferable to remove the whole plant from the pot before separating the pup.
Make sure your knife is clean. To remove the pup, you may need to use a sharp object, such as a knife. Cut the baby plant from its mother plant with a clean or sanitized knife, putting the blade between the mother plant and the branch. Pull the pup away from the mother plant slowly and cut the connected root. Insert the knife blade into the soil between the mother plant and the branch if removing the pup while it is still planted. Sever the supporting roots by sliding the blade down the dirt.
Carve a 2-inch radius around the base of the branch in the dirt, then dig a few inches along the radial parameter with the pointed end of a small shovel. To remove the offshoot, insert the spade at an angle beneath it and slowly peel it apart from the earth.
Allow the pup to dry for at least a day to ensure that any cut or exposed areas are dried, sealed, and calloused. Keep away from direct sunlight in a dry place. (Optional: Before planting, coat the pup in rooting hormone.) Rooting hormones can assist accelerate this process, especially in pups without roots.)
The pup should be planted. When the pup has dried completely, it may be planted on its own. Plant the pup in an appropriate well-draining potting mix. Lightly pack the earth around the plant until it is secure.
Keep away from direct sunlight. To avoid sun damage, keep young plants away from direct sunlight when they are first put in their individual container. Gradually increase sunshine and sun exposure as the plant grows.
If you have a small starting plant, pups or offsets may take some time to appear. Aloe Juvennas are sluggish to develop at first, especially if purchased in tiny quantities. However, once established, these plants rapidly generate pups and tiny plants, effectively multiplying themselves.
‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ Aloe Juvenna flowers
The brilliant orange-coral blooms of Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ are eye-catching. Remember that not all plants are ready to flower, and others may never bloom. Much of it is determined by environmental forces outside our control. Make sure your plants are getting enough light to flourish. Along with correct illumination, ensure that the plant is happy and receiving the above-mentioned care.
While fertilization is not required, providing your plants with the nutrients they require can promote optimum development and stimulate blooming. Plants require a lot of energy to create blossoms, and providing them with extra nutrients can assist supplement their requirements throughout the flowering season. The active growth season, or the months of spring and summer, is the optimal time to fertilize. A balanced houseplant fertilizer blend or a fertilizer specifically prepared for cacti and succulents is appropriate. Fertilizer should be used at a quarter or half intensity every two weeks.
Common Issues with ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ Aloe Juvenna
Dried Shriveled Tips
The most prevalent cause of dry tips is underwatering. The leaf tips will become brown and dry. When this occurs, it indicates that the plant’s water storage is running low and that it is time to water. Simply give the plant a healthy sip of water and it will liven up within a day or so.
Brown Leaves
Sunburn is the most prevalent cause of brown leaves. Simply relocate the plant to a more shady position to avoid sunburn. Sunburn spots on leaves are permanent, although they do not harm the plant inside if you treat the problem timely. You may either clip any brown edges or leave it alone & wait for new growth to appear.
Yellow Leaf
Watering problems are the most typical cause of yellow leaves. Check the soil to determine whether it is drying out quickly enough between waterings if the plant begins to turn yellow. The plant might be remaining wet for too long and not dry out quickly enough. To solve the problem, switch to well-draining soil and reduce watering.
Brown Mushy Leaves
Overwatering is the most typical cause of mushy brown leaves. The plant will appear sick, and the leaves will become soft, mushy, and transparent. These are the signs of overwatering. Reduce watering and let the plant dry out and recover from overwatering. Do not water the plant until it has totally dried out. Consider moving to fast-draining soil if the soil isn’t drying up quickly enough. When roots are in moist soil, they might decay. If you find rot, you can still save the plant by removing the dead sections. Save everything that appears to be green and viable for propagation and repotting.
Note: Remember that it is simpler to ‘repair’ an underwatered plant than an overwatered one, so when in doubt, err on the side of caution when watering, especially if you are unfamiliar with the plant.
Conclusion
Plants of Aloe Juvenna ‘Tiger Tooth Aloe’ are not difficult to grow. These are simple, low-growing plants that will not cause you any problems. They can take care of themselves and they have the most magnificent flowers that arise out of nowhere. Go ahead and try these plants.
The easiest succulents to propagate quickly are also worth reading for those who love to add some greenery to their space.
