Plant · P-913

Cape Aloe

Aloe ferox

Cape Aloe is a single-stemmed succulent shrub of southern Africa, growing slowly to several metres on a trunk ringed with the dried remains of old leaves. Bitter yellow sap drained from cut leaves is dried into a purgative used medicinally, while the clear inner gel goes into jam, herbal tea and skin and hair preparations, and the winter flower spikes draw nectar feeders. It needs full sun and well-drained soil, tolerates poor and dry ground, and is slow to reach its mature size.