![]() ![]() The plant may reach a foot (31 cm.) in height and 2 feet (61 cm.) across once fully mature. A large, single rosette rises with white to pale green spines on leaf edges. Spiraling begins when the plant is 8 and 12 inches (20 and 31 cm.). The spiral aloe is unusual, with symmetrical leaves twirling around in a circle of growth. That said, seeds are available for purchase online. Lack of babies partially explains the rarity of this South African native. Spiral aloe ( Aloe polyphylla) information says pups don’t often grow on this plant, but propagation from seed is simple. If you’re lucky enough to come across this interesting aloe plant, tips on how to grow spiral aloe will be next on your list. Finding the stemless plant may be somewhat of a challenge, though. Here’s a photo from San Marcos Growers of the aloe in all its spiraling glory, just in case mine remains, for whatever reason, steadfast in its failure to spiral.Attractive and rare, the spiral aloe plant is a worthwhile investment for the serious collector. This used to be a hideously expensive aloe to buy because of its rarity in the wild, but the past few years I’ve been able to find inexpensive replacements now that propagation by tissue culture has been such a success. As fun as it is to make up wild theories, the sober facts can be found on the website of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, where it advises that “plants must reach a diameter of at least 8-12″ before they begin to spiral - and they may spiral either left or right - and amass about 90 leaves in order to support production of the large bloomstalk.” Mine currently measures 8 inches across, and I know I’ve had a nonspiraling plant well over a foot in diameter before, but no point getting cranky with the experts (or even a tiny bit jealous that they’re probably made absolutely dizzy by their spiral aloes.) And, honestly, even when it’s not spiraling, it is still a beautiful plant. A possible theory I invented to ease the disappointment is that rampant tissue culture of this aloe is somehow at the root of the problem. I’ve yet to have an Aloe polyphylla spiral for me. (With such touchy plants, it’s OK to consider bare survival a good start.) There remains the small problem of a failure to spiral. That lovely celadon green of its leaves will tip burn in full sun. Shade from afternoon sun is also appreciated. I have planted this aloe at a slight angle, which seems to have been the key to getting it through this fairly rainy winter season. In zone 10, Aloe polyphylla is sensitive to the cold, heavy soil of winter, and in my amended clay the entire stemless plant has been known to slough off like a cheap toupee by spring. I moved the aloe out of a pot because you just can’t forget to water him, unlike most other succulents I grow which simply “pull in their horns” to deal with the occasional missed drink. It wants a bit more moisture but perfect drainage. But Aloe polyphylla is exacting in its requirements. The only real problem I’ve encountered with aloes is the inescapable fact that many of the beauties in the genus grow large and my garden is small. Let’s further refine that to trickiest by a landslide. This aloe is trickier than most other aloes I grow. ![]() In zone 10, planting in the ground is an option, since there’s no fear of frost damage.īut there are other enemies besides frost. You can tell by the leaf litter that this guy is in the ground now, not in a pot anymore. ![]()
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