Aloe polyphylla is an ornamental plant with a spiral habit.Read here how to care for succulents.Aloe polyphylla impresses with the spiral arrangement of its leaves.Because of the geometric pattern one speaks in German of the spiral aloe.The natural habitat is in the highest peaks of the Drakensberg in Lesotho, the smallest state in South Africa.In the so-called Maloti mountains, it grows at an altitude of 2,250 to 2,500 meters.It can get cold here too.Aloe polyphylla is therefore one of the few hardy species that can be planted out in mild regions.Examples can be found again and again, for example in botanical gardens, where aloe polyphylla thrives in the open air under the protection of a greenhouse.However, it is sensitive to moisture and is usually kept as a houseplant.In its homeland, the decorative appearance of the coveted ornamental plant has almost become its downfall.The endangered species must now be strictly protected in its natural habitat.The species belongs to the grass tree family (Xanthorrhoeaceae).Aloe polyphylla is a rosette-forming evergreen perennial whose decorative value lies in the impressive spiral shape of the many leaves.The stemless aloe species starts spiraling after about two years.Each new sheet is offset clockwise or counterclockwise.This allows it to capture the greatest possible amount of light.The species is 10 to 50 centimeters high and often twice as wide at 50 to 100 centimeters.The fleshy leaves of the succulents are grey-green.They have the pointed teeth on the edge of the leaf that are typical of aloe plants.The prickly leaf tip in a reddish brown is striking.As the species name polyphylla suggests for "a large number of leaves", up to 150 leaves are arranged in five rows to form the unusual geometric spiral pattern.The leaves of aloe polyphylla cannot be used like those of aloe vera or tree aloe (Aloe arborescens).The species is poisonous.Aloe polyphylla flowers dark red to salmon pink in June.The multi-branched inflorescence is 50 to 60 centimeters high.In the upper part, the individual flowers, which are around 50 millimeters long, stand together in a raceme.The tubular flowers are pollinated by sunbirds in nature.The infructescences of the plants bear capsule fruits.In the house you choose a place that is as sunny as possible with a south- or west-facing window.In summer, the spiral aloe can go outside, but should be protected from moisture.In regions with mild winters, you can try planting the relatively frost-tolerant spiral aloe under a glass canopy.Young plants should be protected from cold temperatures in the first few years.Older plants should be able to withstand temperatures down to minus twelve degrees Celsius.In regions with mild winters, Aloe polyphylla grows out planted in the garden.A well-drained soil is importantAloes thrive in succulent soil.Alternatively, you can mix equal parts potting soil, gravel, and sand.Instead of gravel, some swear by lava rock and instead of sand by perlite.A well-aerated soil is crucial.Good drainage is also important for planted specimens.The soil should be as lime-free as possible.Aloe polyphylla thrives best in sandy gravel soil.As a succulent, the spiral aloe needs little water.In the winter quarters with a bright hibernation at zero to five degrees Celsius, it is enough if the root ball does not dry out.Planted specimens practically do not need to be watered at all.Feeding the spiral aloe two to three times during the growing season from spring to autumn with a balanced succulent liquid fertilizer is quite sufficient.If the pot is too small for Aloe polyphylla, repot it at the end of winter.Also, when planting outdoors, make sure that the plant with the dense foliage down to the ground is not planted any deeper than it was before.Otherwise the leaves will rot.The compact growing species does not need pruning.Aloe polyphylla is sown.In the natural habitat, the seed germinates in the spring after the snow has melted.The cold impulse and a moist environment are crucial for success.Under indoor conditions, you can use a trick: mix the seeds in a sealable freezer bag with some moist sand and put it in the fridge for about six weeks.The seed must not dry out.Then sow the seeds in a planter.Cover the seed very lightly with sand and water carefully, preferably with a spray bottle.The seed pot is placed at 21 degrees Celsius in a bright place without direct sunlight.The seeds should germinate after four to five weeks.Aloe polyphylla is normally not susceptible to disease.Mealybugs or scale insects are most likely to appear on the plants under unfavorable conditions.