Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Spiral aloe
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Spiral aloe
Aloe polyphylla · Kharetsa
A rare, mesmerising aloe whose leaves arrange themselves in a perfect spiral as the rosette matures.
Full sun to part sunLight
Weekly in summerWater
ModerateCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun to part sun
ShadeFull sun
Afternoon shade in hot climates.
Water
Weekly in summer
DryWet
Keep lightly moist in summer, drier in winter.
Humidity
Low
LowHigh
Dislikes humid heat.
Temperature
-10–28°C (14–82°F)
CoolWarm
Very cold hardy, struggles above 30°C.
Growth
Slow
SlowFast
Rosettes to 60 cm.
Soil
Gritty, free-draining mix
LeanRich
Lots of grit with some organic matter.
Fertiliser
Twice a year
RarelyOften
Light feed in spring and summer.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Toxic to pets if eaten.
About this plant
Spiral aloe grows high in the mountains of Lesotho. Unlike most aloes it likes cool roots and regular moisture in summer, but dislikes humid heat. The spiral appears once the rosette is around 20–30 cm.
Best spots
Cool, sunny balconies and feature pots in a sheltered spot.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Aloe polyphylla |
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Origin | Lesotho |
| Plant type | Succulent |
| Mature size | 30–60 cm |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Flowers | Salmon-pink spikes |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Seed |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plant
Flowering
Fertilise
Water less
PlantFloweringFertiliseWater less
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Rot in heat | Shade and dry it out in humid summers. |
| No spiral yet | Young plants spiral later. |
| Brown tips | Too hot or too dry. |
| Collapse | Waterlogged roots. |
Common questions
When does it spiral?
Usually once 20–30 cm across.
Is it hard to grow?
It's fussier than most aloes.
Is it pet safe?
No.
Can it handle heat?
Not well; it prefers cool climates.
