Aloe polyphylla

The Aloe polyphylla, also known as Spiral Aloe, is a natural curiosity, a rare succulent plant with a unique beauty and perfect geometry. This botanical species forms a rosette composed of numerous fleshy, pointed grey-green leaves that spiral over time. Its summer flowering in coral tones takes place in the summer, adding to its exotic charm. Relatively hardy, down to -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F), it is not afraid of snow. Its cultivation, somewhat delicate, seems better understood nowadays. It is worth noting that it grows in the sun, in a predominantly sandy fertile soil, and requires cool and humid summers as well as dry winters. These conditions are very easy to achieve when the plant is grown in a pot!

The Aloe polyphylla is a botanical species of the Asphodelaceae family, native to the mountain ranges that occupy the centre of South Africa, specifically Lesotho and neighbouring regions. Unfortunately, it has become rare in its country of origin. It is a small, compact perennial succulent plant with a rosette habit wider than it is tall, reaching up to 1m (3ft) in diameter in its natural habitat. In cultivation in our climates, it rarely exceeds 30cm (12in) in height for the foliage, 45 to 50cm (18 to 20in) in flowers, with a diameter of around 40cm (16in). Its growth is quite fast, with the plant reaching its adult size in 5 or 6 years. Its leaves are thick and wide at the base, quickly tapering to a point, and ending in a black spine. The leaves are bordered by a few white spines and their lamina is a slightly bluish grey-green colour. An adult plant will have up to 150 leaves that are arranged in a perfect spiral in 5 ranks. In June-July, a short and stout flowering stem emerges from the centre of mature rosettes, divided into 4 or 5 spikes of pendulous tubular flowers in coral, orange to red tones. This species, which does not produce offsets, only reproduces through cross-pollination between two distinct individuals. In its country of origin, this is done by a bird, but manually in our latitudes. The seeds are black, very hard, with a parchment-like texture.

The Aloe polyphylla thrives well in pots to decorate terraces or balconies, but also in the ground in Mediterranean climates or on protected Atlantic coasts, in a bed, rockery, or well-drained slope, as it is hardy to around -8°C (17.6°F). It will be a rare addition to a collection of succulent plants and will be the pride of a gardener who masters its cultivation. Plant this aloe in a pot wider than it is tall to fully enjoy its unique charm. You can plant low-growing ground covers with similar undemanding temperaments at its base: Osteospermums, Felicia, and witch claws, which will fill the space with their flowering and evergreen foliage.

About Agaves and Aloes:

Aloes and agaves resemble each other but belong to two different botanical families. The main distinction lies in the fact that the rosettes of aloes flower for many years, while the flowering of a mature agave rosette marks the end of its life. In some Aloe species, interfoliar buds give rise to new plants that cover the dried remains of the mother plant. In agaves, the central flowering stem develops from the terminal bud. In aloes, the floral buds emerge between the leaves. Agaves are native to North America, while aloes are found only in the southern half of Africa and the nearby islands of the Indian Ocean.