- Botanical name: Aloe arborescens
- Common name: Torch aloe
- Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Cactus or succulent, Conservatory, House plant, Perennial
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
The torch aloe, Aloe arborescens, is native to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. It bears dense rosettes of succulent, toothed, sword-shaped leaves, from which tall,torch-like red flowers – similar to kniphofia – appear in summer.
For best results grow Aloe arborescens in cactus compost in a large container and water sparingly. Stop watering altogether between September and March. It’s best suited to growing as a houseplant in the conservatory or greenhouse, but it can be moved to a sheltered, sunny patio in summer.
Aloe arborescens is unlikely to flower in Britain.
How to grow Aloe arborescens
-
Plant size
4m height
2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Aloe arborescens and wildlife
Aloe arborescens has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Aloe arborescens poisonous?
Aloe arborescens can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Aloe arborescens
