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Aloe gariepensis (Gariep River Aloe) - A small to moderate-sized mostly solitary and stemless or short-stemmed rosette-forming succulent to 2 to 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall with narrow pale green upcurved leaves with reddish teeth along the margins and elongated white spots running longitudinally on the leaves. In mid-winter to early spring appear the unbranched inflorescences of short orange-red flowers that open to yellow. When stressed by either lack of water or cold temperatures the entire plant turns reddish.
Plant in a full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate very little if at all. Hardy to 23 F.
Aloe gariepensis has a natural range that is restricted to an area where the Orange River flows through the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The Orange River was previously called the Gariep River, and is the basis for this plant's specific epithet. We thank Brian Kemble for seed for this interesting Aloe, which he noted was field collected by Silverhill Seed.
The information displayed on this page about Aloe gariepensis is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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