Aloe Species, Spiral Aloe
Aloe polyphylla
Family: | Asphodelaceae (as-foh-del-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Aloe (AL-oh) (Info) |
Species: | polyphylla (pol-ee-FIL-uh) (Info) |
Category:
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Bronze
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Danger:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Red
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Brentwood, California
Cambria, California
Clayton, California
Hayward, California(2 reports)
Huntington Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Mission Viejo, California
Pleasant Hill, California
San Francisco, California
San Leandro, California
Spring Valley, California
Vista, California(9 reports)
Kissimmee, Florida
Kurtistown, Hawaii
Mamaroneck, New York
Apex, North Carolina
Port Orford, Oregon
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Conroe, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Negative | On Aug 12, 2016, katng from Hayward, CA wrote: The bottom leaves look like they are drying out. I don't want to water too much, but I'm watering every few days. I've tried extending the amount of days and shortening the amount of days between watering. I don't want to kill it. This is the most I've ever spent on a succulent, but I've always admired it. I will try to figure out how to upload a picture. |
Neutral | On Jul 24, 2016, Nanthawat from Portland, OR (Zone 8b) wrote: Failed. I failed at this plant. |
Positive | On Feb 14, 2016, Lushiouslita from Foxton , I live in hot sands foxton in new zealand, i got my spiral aloe 14 months ago a lady was giving it away , it's probably a 3 ft diameter beautiful and deadly it took me 31/2 hours of negotiating weight and spines to get her out of my boot and intent he garden a year later I had to move she had just flowered is left spiraling and I had another 21/2 hrs of figuring out how to get her into a planter box . Managed to not price myself once I learnt the hard way the first time. I think I under soiled the box now am trying to figure out how to lift her to add more, reading this I see I have been over watering and she is in extreme direct heat but seems to be thriving , does have bruised tips at mo from moving but was the same when I got her took a good nine months to recover tho, but still flow... read more |
Neutral | On Apr 8, 2015, saura111 from adelaide, Hi there, |
Positive | On Jan 27, 2011, Lesotho from Ficksburg, Spiral Aloes like to be ignored, they grow in decomposed Sandstone. Water once every two weeks and never fertilize because if they grow too fast they won't spiral. One must remember they live in Lesotho which is a mountain kingdom. They don't like hot weather, in fact love being covered in snow during the winter as excessive exposure to wind will dry them out. they are used to -10 to -20 C overnight which usually warms to 10 to15 C during the day, summer temps go to 15 to 22 C so it's a very cool climate. |
Neutral | On Mar 12, 2010, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: I have been told by those who propagate this plant from seed at U.C.Berkeley that the key to growing it is to always grow it on a slope or if in a pot,tilt the pot so water never sits in the rosette. Water sitting in the rosette is the greatest cause of rot in these plants. Soil should also drain very well-as standard for all C&S. |
Positive | On Feb 8, 2010, bschuttler from Monticello, GA wrote: My daughter has the spiral aloe in her garden and I would love to start one,but I don't know how to. I don't want to ruin the spiral of this plant,so could you help me figure out how to get a start of this beautiful aloe plant. thanks |
Positive | On Sep 8, 2008, baiissatva from Dunedin, Though beautiful, I agree with palmbob about this plant- its a bit of a diva, being super-thirsty and fussy about light levels. |
Positive | On Dec 10, 2006, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is one of the most ornamental aloes, but in my climate in southern California, it is one of the hardest to keep alive. It hates the heat and will usually perish if not kept moist and cool in summers (need a cool place indoors maybe?). Have lost several despite all efforts. I know some grow this along the coast down here well, but seems much happier in northern California. Don't let the USDA date fool you into thinking this aloe grows like any other. |
Positive | On Mar 19, 2005, Happenstance from Northern California, CA wrote: Spiral Aloe is a stemless plant with leaves that spiral.. A 2 year old plant will have 35-45 leaves. Mature plant will have 5 rows of leaves twisting either left or right. This is a hardy Aloe which at about 5 years of age will have approximately 150 leaves. |
Neutral | On Jan 13, 2005, salvia_lover from Modi'in, this plant requires a minimum temperature of 50°F |