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Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

Large orange-red flower spikes rise above the foliage in winter, creating a dramatic display that attracts birds and pollinators.

Regular price $320.00
Sale price $320.00 Regular price
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Pot size
Available batches
Size: 30cm/33cm
Current height guide
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Pot size
30cm/33cm

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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Size / batchEachQuantity
30cm/33cmApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$320.00
40cm/45LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$680.00

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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    About Aloe ferox

    Aloe ferox, the Cape Aloe, is a single trunked tree aloe carrying a large rosette of broad blue-grey leaves armed with reddish spines. Old dry leaves persist down the trunk as a skirt. Branched flower spikes stand about a metre above the crown in winter, carrying dense orange-red candles of tubular flowers.

    It wants full sun and free draining soil, and once established it survives on rainfall alone through long, hot, dry summers. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate, coastal and semi-arid districts, and takes light to moderate frost. Growth runs at 20 to 50 centimetres a year, so trunk height builds steadily over a decade.

    It is used as a specimen in gravel and succulent gardens, in rows along driveways, in large raised planters and across commercial waterwise landscapes. It is a serious winter food source for honeyeaters. On big sites it supplies vertical structure without irrigation, which is why it appears so often in dry planting schemes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Cape Aloe

    What is Cape Aloe?

    It is a large tree aloe from South Africa, one of the biggest single stemmed aloes in cultivation. The thick trunk is covered in retained dry leaves and topped by a rosette of broad spined blue-grey foliage. It is also the plant harvested commercially for bitter aloe sap. Long lived and slow to age.

    How big does Cape Aloe grow?

    Expect 2 to 3 metres tall over time, occasionally reaching 4 metres on old plants, with a rosette 1.5 to 2 metres across. The trunk gains 20 to 50 centimetres a year in good conditions. Flower spikes add another metre above the crown, so allow for the full height when siting it.

    When does it flower?

    Winter into early spring, roughly June to September. Mature plants send up branched candelabra spikes of dense orange-red flowers standing about a metre above the foliage. A single plant can carry six or more spikes at once. Flowering usually begins once a trunk has formed, at around four to five years.

    Is it drought tolerant?

    Yes, exceptionally so. It comes from dry parts of the Eastern and Western Cape and stores enough water in its leaves to ride out long droughts. Established plants need no irrigation in most Australian climates. Water monthly through the first summer to establish, then only in extreme heat, and never in winter.

    Is it frost tolerant?

    It handles light to moderate frost once established and is grown across southern Australia away from the coldest tablelands. Young plants are more vulnerable, so protect them through their first two winters. Frost combined with wet soil causes rot at the base, so drainage matters more than any frost cloth.

    Can it grow in pots?

    Yes while young, though it eventually outgrows most containers. Use a large, heavy pot with a coarse succulent mix, since the plant becomes top heavy as the trunk develops and needs the ballast. Expect to plant it out or move up a pot size every few years. Water only when the mix is dry.

    How do I care for Cape Aloe?

    Remove spent flower spikes at the base after flowering. The skirt of dry leaves on the trunk can be left, which is the natural look, or trimmed off for a cleaner stem. Water rarely once established and never let water sit around the base. A light spring feed is enough on poor soil.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    Form
    • Upright
    Use
    • Feature Tree
    • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
    • Shrubs
    Mature height
    2m to 4m
    Mature width
    1.5m to 2.5m

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

    Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

    Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

    Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

    Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

    Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

    Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

    Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year under suitable conditions.

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

    Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

    Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape if used as hedging or screening. For a clear trunk feature, remove lower branches as the tree grows.

    Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

    Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe in Different Soil

    Aloe ferox performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

    Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

    Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

    Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

    pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

    • Feature Tree
    • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
    • Shrubs

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe works in an:

    • Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
    • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
    • Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.

    Is Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

    Mature Height: 2m to 4m

    Mature Width: 1.5m to 2.5m

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year under suitable conditions.

    Growth Rate of Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is expected to grow 20cm to 50cm per year under suitable conditions.

    They are considered to have a:

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe

    Is Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe frost tolerant?

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

    Does Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe Flower?

    Aloe ferox produces spectacular tall spikes of orange to red tubular flowers during winter and early spring. The blooms are borne in large branched clusters above the foliage, creating a dramatic architectural display while attracting pollinators and nectar-feeding birds to the garden.

    Does Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Winter
    • Spring

    Flower Type:

    • Not Applicable

    Flower Colour:

    Red

    Is Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe an Australian Native Tree?

    No

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe is Native to

    What is the Wildlife Value of Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe ?

    Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, honeyeaters and other beneficial pollinators throughout the flowering season, supporting biodiversity within dry-climate and ornamental landscapes. The tall flower spikes provide an important food source for native birds during the cooler months.

    How much Sunlight does Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe need?

    Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun

    Preferred Soil?

    Aloe ferox performs best in free-draining sandy or loam soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It will also tolerate poor soils, rocky sites and exposed garden positions provided drainage remains excellent. Avoid heavy clay or persistently wet conditions, as excess moisture can lead to root and crown problems. Allow the soil to dry between watering once established to maintain healthy growth, flowering performance and long-term vigour.

    Is Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe Drought Tolerant?

    Is Aloe ferox – Cape Aloe Drought tolerant?

    As a young plant it benefits from occasional watering to establish a healthy root system, particularly during extended dry periods. Once established, Cape Aloe shows exceptional drought tolerance and performs reliably through prolonged dry conditions with minimal supplementary watering.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: How large does Aloe ferox grow?
    A: Mature plants typically reach 2–4 metres tall with a broad architectural canopy of foliage.

    Q: Does Cape Aloe attract birds?
    A: Yes, the nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.

    Q: Is it drought tolerant?
    A: Yes, once established it performs exceptionally well with minimal watering.

    Q: Is it suitable for coastal gardens?
    A: Yes, it tolerates coastal conditions and salt-laden air very well.

    Compare sizes side by side

    30cm/33cm

    Enquire for current heights

    40cm/45L

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Aloe ferox is loved for its Large orange-red flower spikes rise above the foliage in winter, creating a dramatic display that attracts birds and pollinators.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

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