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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aloeaceae (now Asphodeloideae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Salmon |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [A.perfoliata, A. distans or A. mitriformis ssp.] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Aloe comptonii (Red Mitre Aloe) A relatively slow growing sprawling aloe with thick long ground creeping branching stems ultimately up to 6 feet long that have upturned rosettes of thick fleshy light blue-green colored wedge shaped foot long leaves that have soft white teeth that darken to yellow and then brown as they age. In summer months appear the red flowers in capitate heads on a branched inflorescence that rises 2 feet above the leaves. Plant in full sun to light shade. Best in cooler coastal climates where it requires little or only occasional irrigation. This plant is drought tolerant and fire-retardant and frost hardy to the low 20's° F. This taxa is most robust and slowest growing of the plant varieties or subspecies once included with Aloe perfoliata, A. distans or A. mitriformis. A bit like the more typical plant usually called Aloe distans in cultivation in that it sprawls horizontal over open ground, but is Aloe comptonii is much slower growing with larger rosettes of greener leaves and darker redder flowers. its inclusion with Aloe perfoliata and we note that other sources continue to list this plant as its own species. It is native to near Uniondale and Willowmore in the Cape Province of South Africa where is grows on open rocky ground. Like Aloe distans, Aloe comptonii is sometimes included as a subspecies of Aloe mitriformis or more recently all are lumped into Aloe perfoliata. This confusion of names is discussed in the great reference book Aloe: The Definitive Guide, with it being listed as Aloe comptonii but within the listing of Aloe mitriformis and with the authors expressing some reservations about it being included with Aloe perfoliata. The specific epithet honors Professor R.H. Compton, the Director of the National Botanic Garden Kirstenbosch in 1950 when Gilbert Westacott Reynolds described it as a species in Aloes of South Africa.
The information about Aloe comptonii displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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