Aloe arborescens

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Botanical Name

Aloe arborescens

Family

Aloeaceae - The aloe family.

Pronunciation

AL-oh ar-buh-RES-enz

Common Name(s)

English: Krantz aloe

Afrikaans: Kransaalwyn

IsiXhosa: ikalene; Ingcelwane; Unomaweni

IsiZulu: inkalane; umhlabana; Inhlaba-encane

Sesotho sa Leboa: Sekgopha

Tshivenda: Tshikhopha

Plant Group

Succulent A plant having fleshy stems or leaves often adapted to dry conditions.

Plant Size

Very large

Tree Over 25m

Shrub Over 4m

Perennial/ground cover Over 1m

Bulb Over 1.2m

Succulent 1.5m to 2m

Position

Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.
Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Roots Non-invasive Safe to plant near pools, paving, walls or buildings.
Salt spray tolerant A plant with specific adaptations enabling it to grow in a saline environment.
Sand tolerant Plants adapted to survive in nutrient poor, very sandy soils.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.
Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.

Specific Information

A rewarding, easy to grow subject, Aloe arborescens is decorative, has attractive grey-green foliage and large, eye-catching flowers. This is a multi-stemmed aloe with strongly recurved leaves, usually edged with firm, pale or grey-green teeth. One to several flower spikes rise from each plant.

Ad Break

Flowers

Description

tubular blooms in a conical head on unbranched spikes

Season

Autumn to Winter Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

orange
red

Growth Rate

Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Accent or Focal Point A plant used to attract the attention because of its colour or form.
Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Hedge Suitable trees or shrubs planted relatively close together so that the branches intertwine to create a barrier. This can be formal – the plants are regularly trimmed to produce a neat shape, or informal – the plants are left to themselves to create a natural hedgerow.
Mass Planting Plants useful for filling a large area with just one or a few kinds of plants spaced close together. Creates a bold, dramatic effect and to reduces maintenance.
Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
Screen A tall hedge of suitable plants planted closely together and used as a windbreak, to block a bad view, to separate parts of the garden or as a backdrop.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Suitable for seaside gardens Plants that will survive the hostile environment of harsh salty winds, dry sandy soil, irregular rainfall and heat found in seaside gardens.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

from the Cape Peninsula, all along the east coast up to Limpopo Province and north into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, in mountainous areas on exposed ridges or krantzes (cliffs) or occasionally in dense bush

Planting Suggestions

Aloe arborescens grows best in well-drained, compost-enriched soil. Once established it will seldom require attention. To propagate from a branch or off-shoot, allow the cut to dry for a day or two then plant in well-drained soil or sand directly into their permanent place in the garden. Don't over-water the cuttings as they may rot.

Medicinal Uses

Decoctions of the leaves are used in childbirth, for treating sick calves, for stomach ache, as a quick and effective treatment for burn wounds and abrasions and to relieve x-ray burns. Extracts from the leaves have shown wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and hypoglycaemic activity.