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Aloe speciosa

Botanical Name: Aloe speciosa

Common Name(s): Tilt-Head Aloe

Categories: Aloes and Succulents, Trees

Description:

As the common name, Tilt-headed Aloe describes, Aloe speciosa will tilt the head of its rosette towards the direction it receives the most sunlight.

Family: Aloeaceae

Synonym: Aloe hexapetala

Botanical Pronunciation: AL-oh spee-see-OH-suh

Common Pests and Diseases

Prone to rust, treat with copper-oxychloride

Drought Tolerance

High

Flowers

August
September

Foliage

Fruit

September
October
November

Growth Habit

Occurs in dry river bed valleys, on mountain slopes and flats. Found from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape.

Growth Rate

Fast

Interesting Info

The head of the rosette is tilted in the direction it recieves the most sunlight.

Interesting Planting Ideas

Add A. speciosa to a wild life garden, as a focal point on a rockery or on slopes. Plant along side other indigenous and water wise plants.

Origin

South Africa

Other Languages

Afri: Spaansaalwyn, Slaphoringaalwyn. Xhosa: ikhala

Plant Features

Aloe speciosa is a evergreen succulent tree that is frost tender. It is multi or single stemmed and is wind tolarant and suitable for coastal gardens.

Planting Instructions

Plant in well draining, sandy loam, fertile soil with added bone-meal and mulch with compost.

Possible Problems

Aloe speciosa will hybridise with other species.

Propagation

Treat the seeds with fungicide to prevent damping off. Sow seeds in seeding trays and cover with sand. The soil must be well draining and carefull not to over water as the seedlings will rot. Seedlings can be transplanted in to bigger containers once they reach 3cm in height.