Aloe in a pot in the garden, small and good hardiness

[Neomexicana]

I am searching for an aloe, which doesn't grow to big for a pot and should stay in winter as long as possible outside. The max pot diameter will be 18" (45cm), so the aloe at is maximum size should fit there.

I don't know how hard aloes are, but I would prefer one, which don't die at -5"C/23°F for a short time during the night in spring or fall.

[Azuleja]

Aloe maculata and Aloe brevifolia both withstood 23F here with some tip loss.

[Melt in the Sun]

A. aristata is very hardy, as is broomii. A. striatula might be another good one but perhaps not so appealing in a pot.

[Spination]

The one aloe which comes to mind for me that will conform to pot culture that's been virtually bullet-proof for me year after year dealing with cold, yet also interesting and visually satisfying, would have to be the hybrd Aloe x Nobilis. To add an extra dimension of appeal, there are also the variegated forms that are not difficult or expensive to obtain.

[Neomexicana]

Thank you. All the garden centers sell Aloe only, without knowing the exact name or using fantasy names, which I did not find somewhere else.

[johnbecker]

This list from Brian Kemble at the Ruth Bancroft Garden has trustworthy data on cold hardiness. Although most of those are in the ground, so maybe add 2-3 degrees Farenheit because of the pots.

https://www.smgrowers.com/info/brian_aloe.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gee.S]

^ See the very first post in this section: Hardy Aloes