Aloe vanbalenii (Van Balen’s Aloe)

Resembling an octopus, Aloe vanbalenii (Van Balen’s Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming striking stemless rosettes of long, deeply channeled, gracefully twisting, and curling leaves. Bright green with copper-red edges in the shade, the fleshy leaves turn orange or dark red shades in the full, hot sun with minimum water. Lined with reddish teeth, they emit cinnamon or musky fragrance when bruised or damaged. From winter to early spring, slender, conical, yellow to orange-yellow, tubular flowers are produced on unbranched spikes, 3 ft. high (90 cm). They are attractive to nectar-seeking birds and insects. This colony-forming Aloe makes a fantastic focal point in sunny borders or decorative containers.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant but looks best with regular water during the growing season.
• Great for beds and borders, rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or decorative containers.
• Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees.
• Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects and mealybugs.
• Remove spent flower spikes and old leaves if desired. Offsets can be removed and replanted.
• Native to Southern Africa from KwaZulu-Natal to Swaziland