Aloe krapohliana

Category: Small to Medium Clumping Aloes

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b - 11

Overview

Aloe krapohliana is a smaller turquoise-blue rosette-forming plant that only get about 8 - 12 inches tall and 6 inches across with large flowers compared to the size of the plant.

Description

From South Africa, Aloe krapohliana is classified as a dwarf aloe and reaches a height of no more than 250 mm (~10 inches). Plants may be found growing as generally solitary, grey-green rosettes without any spots or spines on both upper and lower surfaces. In older specimens stems may be visible but in most cases the plants appear stemless with dense leaf arrangements. The thick leaves are arranged in a spiraled rosette in old plants, but in very young plants they are ranked in vertical rows. Leaves are incurving, short (about 3-5 inches long), stiff but slightly bendable with very tiny, closely spaced teeth along the margins. Aloe krapohliana leaf color will turn to dark green for plants not kept in a lot of sunlight.

Flowering

The inflorescence of Aloe krapohliana are thick & large, mostly unbranched though occasionally double-branched. Up to 6 inflorescences may appear from one single rosette, making them one of the most prolific bloomers of all aloes. It is quite remarkable how large the inflorescence can be, compared to the size of the plant. In habitat this is particularly noticeable when the small plant advertises itself by its bright flowers that tower over the small bushes in which it shelters. The flowers are orange-red & bloom in winter. Flowers are tubular in shape, 35mm in length, dull orange with tips tinged a greenish-yellow color.

Origin / History

Aloe krapohliana is found on sandy flats and rocky slopes in the arid, northwestern corner of the Northern Cape otherwise known as the Succulent Karoo. The name krapohliana was given in honour of Mr H.C. Krapohl who first collected the plants near Pella in the early 1800s. Summers are hot and arid and the rainfall in winter is very low, they are usually found under bushes plant in shade. Aloe krapohliana is vulnerable due to overgrazing, collecting and mining activities.

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Care / Cultivation

Unfortunately this beautiful aloe is very difficult to grow and hardly ever survives for more than a few years outside its natural habitat. Aloe krapohliana is found in an extremely arid part of the Northern Cape and it will not tolerate overwatering. This species, as others in its group, will simply not thrive away from its natural arid habitat. Native to the winter rainfall areas of South Africa, so don’t water on a hot day! It’s the easiest way to kill this aloe. Grow this plant in full sun to part shade.

Frost Tenderness

Cold hardy down to at least 22 F ,Aloe krapohliana grows in the winter rainfall area where it take some light frost.

Use in the Garden

In mild climates it can be cultivated outdoors for use in landscaping, preferably planting it in hot and dry rock gardens. It can be grown in small containers, but can easily get lost in landscaping outdoors.

Learn about uses for Aloes in the garden.

Learn More

The information on this page about Aloe krapohliana has been gathered and summarized from the sources below. Visit these pages to learn more.

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