Aloe Cosmo

As with other aloes, Cosmo thrives on neglect. Occasional watering should be enough to keep him happy, and feeding once or twice a year is all that’s needed. Other than that, leave Cosmo to his own devices, other than to offer a friendly word, perhaps a compliment, every now and then.

We consider Cosmo to be a variety of Aloe Aristata, though some relate it to Aloe Vera, but we haven’t tried overwintering Cosmo out of doors, as we do with Aloe Aristata. The latter copes with the cold – and, indeed, the wet – surprisingly well and perhaps so would Cosmo, but we just like it in a pot on the kitchen windowsill, where he seems very happy indeed.

You will find that offsets form around the base of the rosette. Let them chuck up a bit, then cut or tear them away from the parent plant and pot them up to form new specimens. As for potting, a well drained compost or growing medium is essential, as with succulents in general, so either buy a proprietary cactus and succulent compost, or make your own mix incorporating things like grit that will create sharp drainage.

Aloe Cosmo is a succulent plant with a rosette of white-dotted leaves and orange red flowers, suitable for growing indoors or in a greenhouse.