About Aloe perfoliata L.
Aloe perfoliata L., commonly known as rubble aloe or mitre aloe, is a hardy creeping aloe species. It is indigenous to South Africa's Western Cape, and also grows in some adjacent areas of the Northern and Eastern Cape. In this region, it typically inhabits mountainous rocky Fynbos, and spreads into neighboring Karoo and Albany Thicket vegetation. It is usually found growing in groups among rubble and rocky outcrops, which is the origin of its Afrikaans name "Puin Aalwyn" meaning Rubble Aloe. It grows in clay or sandy soil. These resilient plants generally prefer flat, rocky locations, but they can also often be seen growing hanging from vertical cliff faces. Aloe perfoliata is a very tough, compact species. It can be cultivated on embankments, rocky slopes and walls, and easily survives both very hot summers and winter snow. It is also used in arid gardens, as it flowers in the summer unlike most aloe species. It requires full sun to produce maximum flowering. This species can be easily propagated from stem cuttings: cuttings are dried for one or two days, then planted in sand.
