🌱 Morphology
Large, arborescent aloe, usually solitary, that can reach 2–4 m in height, occasionally more. It forms an erect trunk covered by persistent dry leaves and a large terminal rosette. Its leaves are thick, lanceolate, grayish-green, up to 1–1.5 m long, deeply grooved, and provided with reddish teeth on the margins and, frequently, small spines on both surfaces as well. The inflorescence is a large branched panicle, characterized by its numerous, almost horizontally spreading branches, which can exceed 30.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Native to southeastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa, reaching KwaZulu-Natal. It mainly lives on rocky slopes, mountains, and bushveld scrub, from sea level up to about 1,600 m. It belongs to the family Asphodelaceae. It is a widely distributed species and considered of Least Concern (LC).

❄️ Temperature / USDA zones
USDA 9a–11, although for safe cultivation it should be considered 9b–11, especially for young specimens. It can withstand brief drops close to −6 °C in dry conditions, but the combination of cold, humidity, and wet roots greatly increases the risk of damage.

☀️ Lighting — DLI PAR
During growth, it needs direct sun and abundant light, with an approximate target of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ DLI PAR. Adult specimens perfectly tolerate intense sun; insufficient light produces less compact rosettes and weaker plants. In protected cultivation, it should be progressively acclimated to direct sun.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Does not rest in summer. It is a species adapted to dry periods, but it should not be kept permanently thirsty during its growth. Water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before watering again. In summer, it can remain active if it has high temperatures and water, while during the colder period, watering should be significantly reduced, especially with low temperatures. Drainage must be excellent.

🌸 Flowering
Produces spectacular branched candelabra-shaped inflorescences, with tubular yellow, orange, reddish-orange, or reddish flowers. In its natural area, flowering can occur approximately between May and September, although in cultivation in the northern hemisphere it may occur earlier, towards winter or early spring, depending on the conditions.

🌿 Nutrition
During its growth period, provide Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. NPK 3-2-8 (Ca-Mg ) (8-1), specially formulated for the nutritional needs of aloes and other Asphodelaceae. For adult specimens preparing for flowering, we can supplement during the corresponding phase with Desert CHOICE® Floración.Suspend or reduce fertilization during the resting period.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

13X13 cm pot