Aloe ferox
Bitter aloe, Cape aloe, Red aloe, Tap aloe
Also known as Aloe supralaevis
- Height × spread
- 5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a striking plant that is widespread in South Africa's Cape Province. It makes a broad rosette the long, quite slender leaves stretching out and then upwards from the central stem. The leaves have a tapering tip and spiny edges. The whole plant has an expansive, exuberant air that prevails even in the dry seasons when the leaves turn a dark reddish tint when stressed by drought conditions. A skirt of dead leaves is likely to develop with the elongating stem. The flowers form brilliant, red or orange red tapering pokers, held on a branching stem.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly and potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Offsets may be used to replace an aged parent plant, to extend or establish a colony, or can be given away or sold.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
50:50 grit and cactus compost for repotting
When growing aloes that need sharply drained soil, use a standard cactus compost but add an equal amount of sharp grit to the mix. Put chips or grit on the soil surface to protect the stem of the plant from rotting.
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