Cape Aloe
Aloe ferox
A towering South African aloe whose fiery orange-red winter blooms draw hummingbirds and create a lush oasis feel.
Hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low-desert aloe with better cold tolerance than most.
AMWUA Notes
Drought tolerant aloe delivering winter hummingbird nectar on little water.
Care Guide
Water every 2 weeks in the warm season and monthly in winter; provide excellent drainage.
Remove spent bloom spikes and dried lower leaves; the persistent skirt of old leaves can be left or trimmed.
Optional light spring feeding.
Aloe mite, scale and borers can occur; inspect the crown regularly.
Hardier than most aloes, but protect from hard frost below 25°F; fiery orange-red flower spikes light up winter for hummingbirds.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining gritty soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Seed (single-trunked; rarely offsets)
3 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; minor leaf-margin teeth, so keep off tight paths
Placement Tips
- •Feature as a single-trunk specimen in a hummingbird or oasis garden.
- •Give it 3 ft of room.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil in full sun.
- •Light afternoon shade prevents scorch in extreme inland heat.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Cape Aloe? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Cape Aloe. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Cape Aloe — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Cape Aloe need in Phoenix?
Cape Aloe is a very low-water succulent once established. Water every 2 weeks in the warm season and monthly in winter; provide excellent drainage. Drought tolerant aloe delivering winter hummingbird nectar on little water.
How big does Cape Aloe get?
Expect roughly 8 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 3 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; minor leaf-margin teeth, so keep off tight paths.
Can you plant Cape Aloe near a pool?
Not ideally. Cape Aloe is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated low.
Can Cape Aloe handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Cape Aloe is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low-desert aloe with better cold tolerance than most. Hardier than most aloes, but protect from hard frost below 25°F; fiery orange-red flower spikes light up winter for hummingbirds.
Does Cape Aloe have thorns?
Yes — Cape Aloe has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Cape Aloe safe around pets?
Cape Aloe is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Cape Aloe bloom in Arizona?
Cape Aloe blooms in winter-spring, with orange-red flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Cape Aloe need?
Cape Aloe is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Remove spent bloom spikes and dried lower leaves; the persistent skirt of old leaves can be left or trimmed.
What kind of soil does Cape Aloe need?
Fast-draining gritty soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter. Nutrient needs are low. Optional light spring feeding.
Is Cape Aloe native to Arizona?
No. Cape Aloe is not an Arizona native; it originates from the South Africa, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.