General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Dry Mesic
Dry
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Plant Spread: 3 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Fruit: Dehiscent
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Orange
Yellow
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Inflorescence Height: 3 feet
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Hummingbirds
Resistances: Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Can handle transplanting
Other info: Sow seeds in sandy soil. Seeds germinate in a few weeks at temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees F. Seedlings need moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Offsets
Other: Stems cut below a node root easily. Cut a stem that has gotten leggy, let it dry out for at least a few hours to form a seal on the cut surface. Place the cutting in rooting medium kept moist, but not wet, until roots form.
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth

Image
Common names
  • Red Hot Poker Aloe
  • Ngopanie
  • Sekope
  • Aloe
  • Prickly Aloe

Photo Gallery
Location: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Date: 2016-01-03

Date: 2020-12-07
Uploaded by mcvansoest
Location: Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix Arizona
Date: 2016-01-04

Date: 2020-02-21
Location: San Diego Botanic Garden
Date: 2018-07-15
Location: UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens
Date: 2008-11-06

Date: 2008-07-07
Photo courtesy of: Martin Heigan
Location: UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens
Date: 2008-11-06
Location: UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens
Date: 2008-11-06
Comments:
  • Posted by Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on May 26, 2018 2:11 PM concerning plant:
    Extra spiny stemless aloe with incurved leaves from southern Africa. The species name refers to the prominent spines on the leaf surfaces. These spines are dark brown at the tip but pale near the base, yielding a characteristic color pattern when observed head-on.

    Solitary and grown from seed. Inflorescences are usually branched on older plants and racemes are densely flowered. The flowers are yellow to orange, but orange to red in bud, thus often but not always bicolor. Flowers are ventricose (with a little belly) and have exserted stamens and style.

    Drought tolerant. Leaves may turn orange, brown or red in full sun.

    Featured on the back of the South African 10 cent coin from 1965 to 1989.

    Related to other plants with dense racemes and similarly shaped flowers, from southern Africa and East Africa.
  • Posted by jmorth (central Illinois) on Mar 7, 2013 11:22 AM concerning plant:
    A seamless solitary rosette to 100cm tall and wide.
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hlutzow On October 20, 2019 Obtained plant
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