Cape Aloe ( Aloe ferox ) is a perennial evergreen plant native to southern Africa. Aloes are a succulent plant and this is one of the tallest, that can grow as tall as a small tree. This species is great to use as a feature or accent plant in the garden and like other Aloe’s it has a long history of medicinal use.
Aloe ferox is drought tolerant and prefers a full sun position, it is not frost tolerant and like many succulents, its foliage is damaged by prolonged frosty temperatures. Cape Aloe can be grown in a pot but choose a heavy terracotta pot or similar because they are quite heavy and need the pots weight to hold them upright.
Other common names for the Aloe ferox are Bitter Aloe, Tap Aloe and Red Aloe.
There are other Aloe varieties available including Krantz Aloe, Aloe Vera, Coral Aloe and Dune Aloe.
Growth
Aloe ferox can grow to around 3 metres in height. It grows in a tree like form and really is a beautiful plant. Its leaves are large and thick and an almost green-blue colour with reddish spines along the edges. It also has spines along the leaf surface and underneath. The flower is red and grows on a tall stem in the centre of the plant.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asphodelaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry, Sub Tropical and Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
4 to 40°C / 40 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining, succulent appropriate soil. Continuously wet soil will rot and kill this plant.
LOCATION:
Full Sun preferred; Part Shade tolerated in hot dry regions.
HEIGHT:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1.5 metres (5 feet)
pH:
6.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Succulent, Evergreen, Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Minimal – Drought tolerant, usually with no need to water in winter, water in summer during hot dry spells. Aloe’s will die if they are given too much water and sitting in wet soil.
POLLINATION:
Birds, insects pollinate Aloes, and the flowers are bisexual and have both male and female parts on them.
MATURITY:
3-4 years
GERMINATION RATES:
67-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks, dependent on conditions
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy-Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Not as far as we are aware, but was used to prevent nail biting traditionally so, we assume the gel is not toxic in small quantities.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT ALOE FEROX (Cape Aloe)
Aloe ferox belongs to a group of Aloe’s that are used to create laxatives, or ‘bitter aloes’. This species was also traditionally used to treat nail biting.
The bitter aloe juice of the Cape Aloe has been harvested for 200 years as a renewable resource in South Africa.
