Aloe barbertoniae Pole-Evans
Barberton aloe
Aloe barbertoniae is a single-stemmed medium-sized aloe native to the low-altitude bushveld around Barberton in Mpumalanga (South Africa) and bordering areas of Eswatini. Its blue-green leaves with reddish marginal teeth are characteristic; it produces orange-red flower clusters in winter that attract sunbirds and other nectar-feeding birds.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Genus | Aloe |
| Growth Habit | Single-stemmed upright rosette |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| pH Target | 6.0–7.5 |
| Type | Sandy-loam to clay-loam soil with good drainage |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Leaves 40–55 cm long, blue-green with reddish tints on the margins, red marginal teeth spaced 3–5 mm.
ecoErect stem 30–60 cm tall, clothed with leaf remnants on the lower portion.
ecoOrange-red tubular flowers 3.5 cm long in simple or forked racemes on 60–80 cm peduncles. Flowering June–August.
ecoModerately deep fibrous root system that exploits rocky cracks in the bushveld habitat.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Sandy-loam to clay-loam soil with good drainage
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Sow in sandy substrate at 22–26 °C.
- 2 Cover with fine sand and keep slightly moist.
- 3 Germinates in 2–4 weeks.
- 4 Transplant individually when reaching 4 cm.
- 1 Remove offsets in spring with a clean knife.
- 2 Dry the wound for 2 days and plant in draining substrate.
- 3 Water moderately from day 7.
- 4 They root in 5–7 weeks.
Position in a spot sheltered from strong summer winds.
Overwatering in winter, rotting the root system.
Every 2–3 years in spring
Balanced fertilizer (NPK 8-8-8), once in spring
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Toxic if ingested; irritating latex.
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"The Barberton area is known for the "Barberton Greenstone Belt", one of the world's oldest geological formations (3.5 billion years); A. barbertoniae is named after this historic locality."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.