Aloe ‘Doran Black’

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ is a small-growing Aloe hybrid plant that forms clusters of thick star-shaped rosettes. It reaches a height of 30cm (12”) and a width of 20cm (8”) upon maturity.

It has dark green spear-shaped stiff leaves that are mottled with raised pale green and white tubercles. The margins of the leaves are lined with white spines.

The Aloe hybrid blooms coral or yellow-orange bell-shaped flowers. The flowers adorn small stacks that grow atop the foliage. It can produce flowers all year-round if it is exposed to plenty of bright light and the right temperature range.

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ is a hybrid developed by Dick Wright. It was named after the late nurseryman, Doran Black who owned the popular Black’s House of Cactus in Stanton, California.

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ is part of the Aloe genus from the Asphodelaceae family.

General Information:

Also known as: Doran Black
Plant Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: Aloe ‘Doran Black’ is a hybrid developed by Dick Wright.
Height: 20cm(8”) to 30cm (12”)
Exposure: Partial to Full Sun
Water Needs: Drought resistant; Use the ‘soak and dry’ watering method
Soil type: Well-draining potting mix specially made for succulents or cacti. It should contain a good amount of gritty materials such as perlite, lava rocks, pumice, chunks of bark, or all four.
Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.5

How to Grow Aloe ‘Doran Black

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ is not a fussy houseplant. For as long as you provide the right growing environment your Aloe hybrid will thrive well. It is very popular among newbie horticulturists because of its easy-to-care-for nature.

Doran Black is not a cold-hardy plant and can only tolerate frost at temperatures of -1.1 ° C (30.02°F) to 10 ° C (50°F).

You can plant Aloe ‘Doran Black’ in your outdoor rock garden or indoor container garden. It grows best in temperatures of 13°C – 27°C (55°F- 80°F).

Sunlight

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ enjoys exposure to direct morning sunlight and filtered light in the afternoon. Outdoors, plant it in an area where it can receive a good mix of sun and shade for 5 to 6 hours.

Indoors, place your pot in a south-facing window where it can get filtered light. If the leaves of your Aloe ‘Doran Black’ starts to thin out and elongate, it means that it is not getting adequate sunlight exposure.

During summer, keep it away from intense light to prevent sunburn.

Watering

Aloe ‘Doran Black’ requires minimal watering. Keep tabs on your watering schedule to prevent root rot caused by overly wet soil.

When watering, thoroughly soak the soil. Avoid showering the leaves with water to prevent leaf rot. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings.

When excess water runs out at the bottom of the pot, leave it for 10 – 15 minutes to allow the soil to absorb as much as possible. Afterward, remove excess water.

During summer and spring, water your plant deeply every two weeks because the water evaporates faster. During fall and winter, water less because the soil will retain moisture much longer.

Pot and Soil

Use a terracotta or ceramic pot because it is made of porous materials that allow proper soil aeration and moisture evaporation. Make sure to get a pot with a drainage hole to allow excess water to flow out.

Use a well-draining potting mix specially made for succulents or cacti. It should contain a good amount of gritty materials such as perlite, lava rocks, pumice, chunks of bark, or all four.

Fertilize your Aloe ‘Doran Black’ sparingly. Feed it with ½ strength liquid fertilizer in summer and spring only.

How to Propagate Aloe ‘Doran Black’

If you want to multiply your Aloe ‘Doran Black’, you may opt to use its Stem cuttings or offsets.

Method 1 – Stem Cuttings

Step 1: Select healthy stems.

Step 2: Cut the stems with a sterile sharp knife or razor.

Step 3: Leave the cuttings in a warm area exposed to indirect light for a few days until the wound has been calloused.

Step 4: Plant your stem cuttings in a terracotta pot filled with a fast-draining potting mix. Do not water the plant for at least 7 days. Place the pot in a warm area that gets plenty of indirect bright light.

Method 2 – Offsets

Step 1: Look for offsets around the base of the mother plant.

Step 2: Cut them off from the mother plant with a sterile sharp knife, razor blade, or pruning shears.

Step 3: Leave the offsets in a warm area exposed to indirect light and allow them to callous over the cuts for a few days.

Step 4: Plant the offsets in terracotta or ceramic pots filled with succulent potting mix with plenty of grit.

Step 5: Place the containers in a sunny location. Do not water the newly-potted offsets for at least a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated on June 9, 2022 by Sofia Lara