About
Aloe africana is an upright, evergreen succulent that can grow up to 2 meters tall. Its leaves are thick, strap-like, and grey-green, featuring sharp red spines along the margins, arranged in a somewhat irregular rosette. Typically, this species does not branch, though some specimens may develop multiple stems. The flowers appear on tall spikes, usually blooming during shorter daylight periods. Each tubular flower initially hangs down but then angles upward at the opening. The buds start as a deep orange, maturing to orange before opening to reveal a yellow hue.
About the genus
Aloe consists of evergreen perennials that can grow as mat-forming or shrubby plants. They feature rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves and produce small tubular flowers arranged in racemes or panicles.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting
- Native to
- S Africa (Cape)
- Toxicity
- Human/Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow indoors in a container of peat-free, cacti potting compost, or peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added horticultural grit. Water moderately when in growth, very sparingly when dormant in winter. Apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly from May to August. Can be placed outdoors in summer, see aloe cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed or leaf cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free