Aloe polyphylla

Germination

Sow indoors. Can be started at any time of year. Soak seeds in water. The seeds float at first but then sink. Germination occurs in the water, starting from approx. 28 days but is erratic and can take much longer, a couple of months or more. Ideal temp. 18°C. Change the water every few days. Remove seeds one by one as germination occurs and place into soil into which sand has been added. Bury seedling with the roots just showing. Grow on and re-pot as the plant grows.

Growing

Once established it should cope with rain and cold, but perhaps treat with care whilst the plant is young. Protect from excessive rain in winter. Protect from hard frosts and extended periods of cold. Plants in the ground can cope with extreme cold better than those in planters or pots. Offer fleece protection or temporarily cover the plant with some bubble wrap or similar.

Cultivation

This plant may take many years to flower and indeed may not flower at all unless it can cross pollinate with another plant. If pollination does occur seedheads will form after the flowers have faded.