Description

Krantz Aloe Seeds (Aloe Arborescens)

"Krantz" is the Afrikaner word meaning "cliff" or "rocky ledge," referring to the natural habitat. The plant prefers dry to mesic soil and full sun to part shade.  Sow seed in regular greenhouse conditions.

Aloe arborescens has succulent green leaves, vibrantly-colored flowers, and winter blooming. The sweet nectar attracts birds, butterflies, and bees.

A large, trunk, bushy, branched Aloe to about 3 m tall with wide, green, or bluish leaves and orange-red or very rarely yellow flowers. It is native to a variety of habitats from the Cape in South Africa northeast to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi from low to high elevations.

Aside from being an easy-to-grow ornamental for tropical and warm temperate climates in USDA Zones 9 to 11, it has medicinal properties similar to Aloe vera and is used in the treatment of cancer.

Pros and cons

• Attracts pollinators
• Drought resistant
• Flowering
• Edible