Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Tender
H5-H1c
RHS hardiness
-15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
4m | Max | 3m |
50cm | Min | 50cm |
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance
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French Aloe Overview
A large, elegant, single- to multi-stemmed aloe which bears gracefully backwards-bending leaves in large spiralled rosettes. The old dried leaves form a 'skirt' around the stem, below the rosette of leaves. The flowers are usually orange or pinkish-red, but a yellow form also occurs. Its natural habitat is the broad coastal belt between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Common problems with French Aloe
The aloe snout weevil lays its eggs at the base of the aloe leaves. The larvae bore into the stem just below the crown of the plant which often causes the entire plant to die. White scale insects can also feed on this plant. They become visible as neat white rows on the leaves, especially on the lower surfaces. If untreated, the entire plant will eventually be covered by the insects and may die.
How to harvest French Aloe
Seeds should be allowed to dry for at least 3 months after flowering before they are harvested.
How to propagate French Aloe
Cuttings
Take cuttings or truncheons beneath a node in summer and plant in sandy soil. Keep soil moist, but not overly wet.
Seed
Sow seeds in spring or summer in sandy soil. Seedlings will germinate within a few weeks and require moist, but well-drained soil.
Special features of French Aloe
Attracts birds
Nectar-feeding birds such as sunbirds
Attracts useful insects
Honeybees and butterflies
Indoor plant
One of the few aloes that are adapted to shade and therfore it is suitable as an indoor plant.
Drought resistant
Pot plant
Attracts bees
Attractive flowers
Flowers are orange or pinkish-red, but a yellow form is also known.
Other uses of French Aloe
Ornamental.