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Aloe perfoliata
Ideally, place in partial shade.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -6.7 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
The epithet perfoliata means "the stem appears to pass through the leaves," which accurately describes the typical appearance of this aloe.
Aloe perfoliata is a species also known as Mitre Aloe and often listed under the synonym Aloe mitriformis. The epithet perfoliata means “appearing as if the stem passes through the leaves” and refers to the way the leaves clasp the stem at their base. This species comes from the mountainous regions of the Western Cape and is highly variable in leaf colour, shape, and arrangement along the stems.
The leaves are thick and fleshy, often curved inward, with soft white teeth along the margins. The plant produces simple or branched stems and gradually forms small colonies of elongated rosettes. Shoots may reach up to about 2 m in length, growing upright at first but often becoming trailing with age.
Flowering takes place during the summer months. Above the rosettes, branched flower stalks develop and carry numerous tubular blooms in red shades, ranging from muted tones to bright, vivid colour.
Aloe perfoliata is a hardy species suitable even for beginners. In full sun the leaves may develop bluish to orange tones and appear more tightly arranged, while in shade they remain greener and the rosettes are looser. It grows best in a bright position to partial shade in well-draining soil, with only light feeding if desired. Aloe perfoliata is a reliable aloe with long stems and an appearance that changes noticeably with growing conditions.