Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe'

Rare and unusual

Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe'

£39.50

At a glance

Light: Full sun5+ hours of sun
Lowest temperature: -15°C Takes some frost
Mature size: 80 cm x 80 cm Height x width
Growability: AdvancedWhat this means

Where it grows best and how to care for it

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What arrives

Sent by Royal Mail, with tracking
Unless stated otherwise, grown in a 6cm pot and around 5-7cm wide. Size guide
Sent bare-root, so it travels safely. Why we ship without pots and soil
Packed without plastic, apart from the plant label
Grown at our nursery in Cornwall and picked by hand for your order

The plant you receive may not look exactly like the photos.

The Spiral Aloe is incredible due to the unique leaf formation which corkscrews out from the centre of the plant.

Their natural home is the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho in Southern Africa. These Aloes can withstand freezing temperatures (-15°C once mature), often be under snow in their natural habitat. Protect from frost until over 15" in diameter.

They make a fantastic garden showpiece that can be grown at an angle on a rock wall or planter. This will allow any excess water to run away from the crown, as stagnant water in the crown can stimulate rot.

They appreciate regular feeding throughout the growing season (April to September), preferably once a fortnight with a liquid fertiliser.

An extremely fast-growing Aloe, the perfect UK hardy succulent.

Plant in a south-facing aspect and enjoy this beautiful work of nature.

View our Care Guide for more information on how to look after your Aloe polyphylla.

We send everything by Royal Mail, and you'll get tracking updates once your order is on its way.

Standard: we send your order within 3 working days by Tracked 48, so it takes 3 to 5 days to arrive.

Super Express: order before 2pm on a working day and it goes out the same day by Tracked 24, arriving in 1 to 2 working days.

Our packaging is 100% plastic-free. The plant label is the only plastic in the box.

Your plants travel bare-root, nested carefully in the packaging.

Light

Full sun

5+ hours of sun

Full shade
Partial shade
Full sun

Lowest temperature

-15°C

Takes frost down to -15°C. Give it shelter if it gets colder than that.

-15°C

Good places to grow it

Balcony
Patio
In the ground

Growability: Advanced
Growth form: Singular rosette
Growth rate: Moderate
Mature size (H x W): 80 cm x 80 cm
Foliage colour: Green

Customer reviews

On arrival

Unpacking and planting

Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' is delivered bare-root and its fine roots require careful handling. Plant it into the recommended deep, mineral-rich compost without folding the roots or damaging the central crown.

Set the rosette at a slight angle, tap the container gently to settle the compost and wait several days before the first light watering. Do not leave a newly planted specimen saturated.

Keep Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' cool, bright, sheltered and airy while it establishes. Protect it from hard frost and intense afternoon heat until strong new central growth confirms that the roots are active.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' is thirstier than most Aloes. Water it thoroughly during active growth, allowing all excess moisture to drain, then check the compost regularly rather than leaving the root ball completely dry for long periods.

The plant still requires excellent drainage. Water around the rosette or grow it at an angle so moisture cannot remain trapped in the crown.

Reduce watering during cold, dark weather, but do not treat a healthy actively growing Spiral Aloe like a desert species. Firm leaves and active central growth are the best guides.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Balcony, Patio, and In the Ground. Mature plants thrive in full sun, while young or newly established specimens benefit from gradual acclimatisation.

This mountain species prefers cool, bright and airy conditions. Avoid hot, stagnant conservatories and provide afternoon shade during exceptional heatwaves.

Keep surrounding vegetation clear so air can move through the spiral and light reaches the entire rosette evenly.

Compost and drainage

Plant Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' in a mineral-rich, free-draining mixture containing approximately 55% multi-purpose compost, 25% perlite and 20% pumice.

Use a deep container or raised planting mound that allows plenty of air around the roots. Set the rosette at a slight angle so rain and irrigation run away from the crown.

Do not compress the compost heavily. The roots need both moisture and oxygen, and a dense waterlogged mixture can cause rapid decline.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost perlite

Feeding

Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' is hungrier than many succulents. Apply a balanced liquid feed at half the recommended strength every two to three weeks during active growth once the nutrients in fresh compost have been used.

Feed only when the compost is already moist. Regular feeding supports the development of the large spiral rosette, but high-nitrogen fertiliser should be avoided.

Stop feeding during prolonged cold or whenever active central growth has paused.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' is -15°C. In its native Maluti mountains it endures hard frost and lying snow, and mature, well-established plants can tolerate temperatures as low as around minus 15 degrees Celsius when grown in sharply drained conditions.

For the Spiral Aloe, cold is rarely the killer; cold combined with stagnant, saturated compost is. Keep the crown clear of fallen leaves and debris and make sure winter rain drains away freely rather than sitting in the rosette.

Protect young plants and newly rooted specimens from severe frost until established. A raised mound, sloping position, gritty top-dressing or a pot moved under an open cover greatly improves winter reliability without shutting out the fresh air the plant needs.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Summer care

As a cool mountain species, Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' dislikes prolonged hot, humid or stagnant conditions more than most succulents. Maintain strong airflow, provide afternoon shade in heatwaves and avoid closed, muggy greenhouses where heat and humidity build up.

Monitor the compost so the fine roots do not stay bone dry for long, and continue watering and feeding while the central spiral is actively growing. Check the plant rather than imposing the summer-dormancy routine used for Aeoniums.

Some older lower leaves naturally dry back as the rosette expands. Remove them carefully once they detach easily so debris cannot collect and trap moisture in the spiral.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Aloe polyphylla 'Spiral Aloe' in spring before it becomes severely root-bound. Use a deep pot and disturb the fine root system as little as possible.

Replace the old compost with the recommended mineral-rich mixture and keep the crown level with, or slightly above, the surface. Set the plant at a slight angle so water drains from the spiral.

Handle the single growing point with extreme care. Damage to the centre can permanently spoil or kill the rosette.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Brown leaf tips can follow irregular moisture, root stress or prolonged heat. Check the roots and growing conditions rather than responding automatically with repeated watering.

Rot can begin when water remains trapped in the crown or the compost loses airflow. Remove wet debris, improve drainage and protect the single central growing point.

Stretched leaves indicate insufficient light, while a stalled rosette during hot weather may be suffering from excessive heat rather than lack of fertiliser.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost