Aloidendron ‘Samson’ is a hybrid between Aloidendron barberae and Aloidendron ramosissimum. It was created by the aloe enthusiast Sarmis Luters and is propagated by tissue culture by Rancho Tissue Technologies in California. San Marcos Growers, which also lists it as Aloidendron ‘Sparacus’, says it acquired its stock plant at an auction in 2013 and named it ‘Samson’ in 2016.
Description
‘Samson’ is an evergreen, shrubby tree aloe, more branched than ‘Hercules’, a trait inherited from A. ramosissimum, a small, densely branched species of the Namib and Karoo. The leaves are wide, mid-green, about 60 cm (2 ft) long and slightly recurved. Salmon flowers are carried on short spikes at the stem tips in autumn and winter (winter and spring according to another table of the same nursery).
Size estimates vary: 3 to 5 m (10–16 ft) in height and 1.2 to 1.5 m (4–5 ft) in width according to San Marcos Growers, which says it will probably reach 3 to 6 m (10–20 ft); Rancho Tissue also gives 10 to 20 ft in cultivation. This is still smaller than the 9 to 12 m given for ‘Hercules’.
Cold hardiness
Both nurseries agree on a limit of about 27 °F (−3 °C): San Marcos Growers lists a winter hardiness of 25 to 30 °F (−4 to −1 °C) and says it “should be hardy to at least 27 °F”; Rancho Tissue gives USDA zones 9b to 11 and advises avoiding overwatering when it is cool. As for the other hybrids, these are observations by Californian growers, not controlled tests. In a climate with regular frosts below −3 °C, or with wet winters, ‘Samson’ is best grown in a container, or in the ground against a south-facing wall in a very well-drained position, with protection for young plants.
Cultivation
Full sun is described as essential. Use a fast-draining, mineral substrate; water deeply but infrequently and let it dry completely between waterings. Water needs are low, and summer dryness is accepted. Like its siblings, it can topple if overwatered.
See also
The genus page Aloidendron and the other hybrids: ‘Hercules’, ‘Rex’, ‘Goliath’ and ‘Nick Deinhart’.
References
San Marcos Growers. Aloe ‘Samson’, Samson Aloe. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=4201
Rancho Tissue Technologies. Aloe ‘Samson’. https://www.ranchotissue.com/product/aloe-samson/
Bock, G. (2024). The story of Hercules. Succulents and More. https://www.succulentsandmore.com/2024/01/hercules-unveiled.html