About
Aloe brevifolia is a low-growing succulent perennial, typically reaching heights of up to 10 cm. This plant develops clusters of rosettes characterized by its spreading, bluish-green leaves that are narrow and have tooth-like edges. In the autumn, it produces elongated racemes bearing tubular red flowers that measure around 4 cm in length.
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
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- South 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 by seed sown with heat as soon as ripe or from offsets
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free