Plant Database
Fan Aloe
Aloe plicatilis
The Fan Aloe is a breathtaking and architectural succulent, unlike any typical aloe. It forms a branching, shrub-like structure with distinctive gray-green, flat, strap-like leaves arranged in a perfect, alternating "fan" pattern at the ends of its branches. In winter, it produces stunning spikes of bright orange-red flowers. Its unique form, reminiscent of a miniature tree or symmetrical fan, makes it a highly prized sculptural specimen for frost-free gardens and large containers.
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Uniquely recognizable for its flat, fan-shaped arrangement of smooth, gray-green leaves on forking branches.
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Grows as a slow-growing, woody-stemmed shrub or small tree, reaching 6-8 feet tall.
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Produces dramatic racemes of orange-red flowers in late winter to spring.
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Prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil and benefits from more regular water than desert aloes, but still requires good drainage.
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Tender to frost; best suited for USDA Zones 9b-11.
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An exceptional focal point for Mediterranean, succulent, or contemporary gardens.