Aloe ‘DZ’

Karen Zimmerman breeding

‘DZ’ was bred by Karen Zimmerman and introduced in 2010 through Huntington Botanical Gardens. Its name honours Debra Zimmerman, and it belongs to Zimmerman’s dwarf ‘Fantasy’ aloe hybrids.

Its breeding line includes ‘Confetti’ and several ornamental aloes.

A complete indoor routine for compact, healthy ‘DZ’ growth

• Light: Give ‘DZ’ a very bright position with several hours of direct sun where possible. Increase direct light gradually so the leaves can adjust. Strong light supports a tight rosette and richer tooth colour.
• Water: Wait for the mix to become fully dry before the next watering. Water the mix thoroughly, allow extra water to drain, then let the mix dry fully again before the next watering.
• Temperature: Warm, frost-free indoor conditions suit the plant well. As the room becomes cooler, keep the potting mix dry for longer between waterings.
• Humidity and airflow: Typical indoor humidity suits ‘DZ’. Good airflow around the rosette helps the leaf bases dry quickly after watering at soil level.
• Potting mix: Use a coarse succulent mix with plenty of pumice, lava or coarse grit. A drainage hole is essential.
• Feeding: When the plant is growing, feed a few times with a weak cactus or succulent fertiliser. Heavy feeding can produce softer, looser growth.
• Repotting: Repot into a pot one size larger when roots fill the container or the rosette becomes unstable.

Unexpected changes in the ‘DZ’ rosette

• New leaves are long, pale or widely spaced: Light is usually too weak. Move the plant to a brighter position in stages. New leaves should emerge shorter and more compact.
• Leaves become thin and the pot feels very light: The plant is very dry. Water the dry potting mix thoroughly and allow it to drain fully.
• The base softens or leaves turn pale and see-through near the centre: The roots or crown have been wet for too long. Unpot the plant and clear away the wet mix. With a disinfected blade, cut out each rotten section until you reach healthy tissue. Discard everything removed and repot the plant in fresh, dry gritty mix.
• White cottony clusters or small shell-like bumps appear: Mealybugs or scale are feeding on the plant. Separate the plant from the collection and remove any visible pests. Choose a houseplant product labelled for the pest you see. Repeat treatment only as the label directs.
• Hard, irregular, wart-like growth develops: Aloe mite damage is possible. Move ‘DZ’ away from nearby aloes straight away. With a disinfected tool, remove every distorted section and stop when the new growth looks healthy. Dispose of all cut material.

Aloe ‘DZ’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and handle the leaf tips carefully.
• The leaf latex contains anthraquinone glycosides that can irritate skin and the digestive tract. Rigid tips and toothed margins can also scratch or puncture.
• Swallowing the latex may cause an upset stomach, while skin contact can cause irritation. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

How the name Aloe came about

Aloe comes through Greek aloe, an old name for the bitter plant juice, itself borrowed from a Semitic language.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Aloe in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 319.