Fan Aloe (Aloe plicatilis): Distinctive Fan-Shaped Tree Aloe

Overview

Fan Aloe (Aloe plicatilis) is one of the most architecturally unique aloes. Its gray-green, tongue-shaped leaves are arranged in two opposite ranks, forming a perfect, open fan. The trunk is thick, gray, and fissured, branching with age to create a small, sculptural tree up to 10–15 feet. In late winter to spring, each fan produces a single spike of tubular orange-red flowers. Native to the Western Cape of South Africa, it thrives in Mediterranean climates. A prized specimen for collectors and focal-point planting.

Key Features

• Form: Distinctive two-ranked fan; branching tree to 10–15 ft.
• Leaves: Gray-green, strap-shaped, smooth margins; in perfect fans.
• Flowers: Orange-red, tubular, on unbranched spike; late winter/spring.
• Trunk: Thick, gray, attractively fissured.

Care Guidelines

Light

Full sun to light shade.

Water

Moderate in winter/spring growth; dry in summer dormancy. Excellent drainage.

Soil

Well-drained, sandy, slightly acidic soil.

Hardiness

USDA zones 9b–11. Protect from hard frost.

Taxonomy

Family:	Aloaceae
Genus:	Aloe (AL-oh)
Species:	plicatilis (ply-KAY-til-iss)