Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate infrequently. Has proven hardy to 25°F. Aloe pulcherrima is an interesting and beautiful aloe whose foliage somewhat resembles a large Agave bracteosa. It is native to the Shewa and Gojjam regions of central and northern Ethiopia, where it grows along fairly inaccessible steep slopes and cliffs at altitudes between 7,800 and 9,000 feet, though some report it at even higher elevations. It considered as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The name Aloe comes from ancient Greek name aloe that was derived from the Arabian word 'alloch' that was used to describe the plant or its juice that was used as medicine. And the specific epithet means "beautiful". This plant was grown from seed from a plant growing on a slope in the garden of John Bleck in Goleta, CA. Mr. Bleck is a well aloe breeder and succulent collector and while he had no record of having Aloe pulcherrima, it was the best match for this very beautiful and distinctive species that we grew from 2017 until 2022. 

This information about Aloe pulcherrima displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.