Spiral aloe

Aloe polyphylla is endemic to the Maluti (Drakensberg) mountains of Lesotho, where it grows at 2,000–2,500 m in basalt crevices and on well-drained scree of steep slopes. Winters can bring snow, and summers are cool, with ample rain and mist. Its hallmark is the leaf arrangement: five ranks of 15–30 leaves spiral neatly clockwise or anticlockwise, about 150 leaves per plant, hence the name 'many-leaved'. The broad grey-green leaves end in sharp, dark purplish-brown tips and have irregular marginal teeth. Dull-red to salmon-pink, occasionally yellow flowers are borne in compact heads on branched inflorescences in spring and early summer. It rarely offsets, so wild populations regenerate only from seed. Collecting has reduced wild numbers, and in South Africa it is illegal to remove plants from habitat or buy them from roadside sellers. Plants taken from the wild seldom survive more than a few years, and it is considered difficult in cultivation; a US grower notes it is thirstier than most aloes and does best in cool climates. Plants sold in Japan are seed-raised or tissue-cultured, mainly through specialist nurseries, and because it is a CITES Appendix I species a registration certificate is required for any sale in Japan.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Spiral aloe grows to About 30 cm tall, 30–60 cm across.

Feed sparingly in the growing season