Aloe plicatilis – Fan Aloe

Description

This unusual, striking Aloe grows into a compact, well branched shrub rarely more than 2 m tall. The ascending, unarmed, pale blue leaves form small, distichous crowns and the erect, unbranched inflorescences hold orange red flowers. Aloe plicatilis is native to the mountains of South Africa’s southwestern Cape Province where it grows in scrubland (fynbos) on steep, rocky slopes between 1000 and 1400 m. It is one of the hardier Aloe and will do well in many warm temperate climates, especially of the mediterranean type with winter rain.