Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla)

If there is a succulent that attracts a lot of attention, much more than others, that is undoubtedly the species Aloe polyphylla. Known as spiral aloe, it is a very rare plant. It is difficult to find for sale, and when it is, it is sold at a price that may seem high, since its growth rate is slow and its cultivation is complicated.

Knowing their needs will help you have some chance of getting them ahead, so then we are going to talk to you about this beautiful plant.

Origin and characteristics of Aloe polyphylla

El Aloe polyphylla is a type of aloe native to Lesotho (southern Africa). It grows in the Drakensberg Mountains, where an annual rainfall of more than 1000mm can be recorded. It is known as spiral aloe, since its main characteristic is the spiral arrangement of its leaves when it reaches adulthood (Young specimens begin to have them like this after approximately 2 years). These leaves are fleshy, spiny (their spines are harmless), and greenish-gray in color; They appear in number 15-30.

The inflorescence of this plant, like those of all aloes, is spike-shaped. The flowers arise from a more or less thick floral stem, are tubular and have a beautiful salmon-pink color.. The fruits are dry, also shaped like a tube, and contain more or less flat and very light seeds.

The size of an adult specimen is one meter in diameter, with an approximate height of 50 centimeters.

It is in danger of extinction, both because of its curious shape and because of how difficult it is to care for.

What are the care you need?

If you manage to acquire a copy, the first thing we are going to do is congratulate you. In truth, it is difficult to find, and those who sell tend to have few copies for sale, which means they run out of stock quickly. Therefore, you have to be a little aware of those nurseries and / or online stores, in order to get one.

But, once you have it, how do you take care of it? Well, we recommend you provide these cares:

Location

The ideal is to put the Aloe polyphylla abroad. But keep in mind that for it to be well, throughout the year, the conditions must be:

• The place has to be bright; that is to say, it should not be put in total shade, since the plant would not grow. Nor do I advise putting it in full sun, and less if you are in an area where the degree of insolation is high (such as the Mediterranean region or the entire peninsular coast).
• There must be no frost, or if there are, put the aloe in a greenhouse that keeps it protected as soon as the temperatures drop below 10ºC.

If grown indoors, it is important that it be placed in a bright room, without drafts. For example, a good spot might be near the window, but not right in front of it. Rotate the pot daily, so that one part does not grow more than another.

Also, if you are going to grow it at home, it is advisable to put containers with water around it. This is so that the humidity around you is high. DO NOT spray / mist their leaves with water, as they will rot.

Earth

When we have such delicate succulents, which live in sandy and / or stony soils, the best land that we can put in it will be, for example:

• 100% pumice
• 70% pumice + 30% akadama
• 60% construction gravel (grain 1-3mm thick) + 40% black peat
• 50% black peat + 50% perlite

Which to choose? Well, it will depend a lot on the weather. To give you an idea, in a dry area with a strong degree of insolation, temperatures above 20ºC in summer and with prolonged droughts, it is important that the substrate remains humid for some time (hours, some day), since no, the water will evaporate so quickly that the roots will not absorb it. Therefore, in these conditions the last option (50% black peat + 50% perlite) would be ideal.

On the contrary, if it rains frequently in your area, or you are in a place where the humidity is already high (for example, if you are on an island or near the sea), we highly recommend any of the first three options.

Irrigation

Irrigation is complicated. In its place of origin, about 1000mm of precipitation falls per year, so that alone we can already intuit that you have to go watering the Aloe polyphylla occasionally. But it is necessary to avoid that the earth is flooded, as well as that it remains dry for a long time.

So, to avoid problems, you will have to check the humidity before watering again, to make sure it is almost dry. If you think it needs water, pour it on the ground, never on the plant, and until it is well hydrated.

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As long as the temperature remains above 15ºC, it is highly recommended to fertilize with a fertilizer for cacti and other succulents, following the instructions for use.

Multiplication

El Aloe polyphylla multiplies by seeds in spring or summer. To do this, the seeds must be sown in a substrate that drains the water well, but at the same time remains moist for a while, such as vermiculite. If you are going to use this substrate, moisten it with water before filling the seedbed. In this way, then you will only have to place the seeds on the surface, burying them a little.

Keep the seedbed outside, with the substrate moist. Thus, if all goes well, the first ones will germinate in about 10 days.

Transplant

It will be transplanted only if roots grow out of the holes in the pot, in spring. In the event that the climate in your area is warm, without frost, and you would like to plant it in the garden, it is also important that it first root well in the pot, since this way when it is extracted from it the root ball will not crumble and , therefore, the Aloe polyphylla you will be better able to overcome the transplant.

Pests

You have to be careful with snails, since these animals can devour the leaves.

Rusticity

Can't stand frost. It is a plant that should not be exposed to temperatures of 10ºC or lower.

We hope you are very lucky and manage to keep it for many years.