Repotting guide

When & how to repot Tiger Aloe (Gonialoe variegata)

Also called Partridge Breast Aloe, Aloe variegata.

More about tiger aloe

About Tiger Aloe

Gonialoe variegata · also called Partridge Breast Aloe, Aloe variegata · houseplant

Tiger aloe, long known as Aloe variegata, is a striking South African succulent with V-shaped, dark-green keeled leaves banded in white that fan out from a tight triangular rosette. It stays small and offsets into clumps. Like true aloes it contains aloin and is toxic to cats and dogs.

Mature size: Small: rosettes reach about 20-30 cm tall and wide. Branched flower spikes of tubular pink-to-orange blooms rise 25-30 cm above the foliage in late winter to spring.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The most common cause of death, especially if watered during summer dormancy. The rosette softens and browns at the base. Water only when bone dry and use very gritty, free-draining soil.

How to tell tiger aloe needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For tiger aloe, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot tiger aloe

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Tiger Aloe's growth habit — a slow-growing, stemless succulent that forms a tight triangular rosette of overlapping ranked leaves and offsets at the base to build small clumps over time. — sets the pace. Tiger aloe, long known as Aloe variegata, is a striking South African succulent with V-shaped, dark-green keeled leaves banded in white that fan out from a tight triangular rosette. It stays small and offsets into clumps. Like true aloes it contains aloin and is toxic to cats and dogs.

What size pot to step tiger aloe up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Tiger Aloe stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot tiger aloe

Spring or summer, while tiger aloe is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting tiger aloe

Repot dry. Do not water tiger aloe for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set tiger aloe at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep tiger aloe completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for tiger aloe

Tiger Aloe wants gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix. Use a cactus compost blended with pumice, perlite or coarse grit for sharp drainage. A deep pot with drainage holes accommodates its taproot; terracotta aids drying. Avoid dense, water-retentive composts that suffocate the roots and promote rot. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting tiger aloe — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot tiger aloe?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for tiger aloe. Repot tiger aloe every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does tiger aloe need?

When is the best time of year to repot tiger aloe?

Should you water tiger aloe after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot tiger aloe into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise tiger aloe after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting tiger aloe. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.