Aloe suprafoliata aka Book Aloe

Aloe suprafoliata, or book aloe, is a succulent subshrub. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. Its native range runs from Mozambique into northeastern South Africa. This includes Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal. It grows on rocky slopes near mountain tops. These high sites have cool air and frequent mist. Its wider climate range is subtropical.

Young plants stay low and often grow alone. Some produce shoots around the base. The stem may stand upright or lie along the ground. It rarely reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] long. Young leaves form two rows, like pages in a book. This distichous stage can last for a long time. With age, the leaves spread into a full rosette. A rosette can hold up to 30 leaves. Plants may flower before this change takes place.

The stiff leaves taper to points and may curve back. They reach 1–1.3 feet [0.3–0.4 metres] long. Their width can reach 0.23 feet [0.07 metres]. Leaf colour ranges from turquoise to blue-grey. Cold or strong sun can bring out purple tones. Older plants tend to lose some of this colour. Small, soft, reddish-brown teeth line the leaf edges. Winter brings thick flower stalks, sometimes three at once. Each unbranched stalk bears a narrow raceme with a silver sheen. The flowers range from rose-pink to scarlet, with greenish mouths.

Grow this aloe in full sun with free-draining, sandy loam. It also suits large pots with good drainage. Summer watering supports full leaves and stronger flowering. Avoid excess water, and cut back sharply in cold weather. Plants can endure long dry spells outdoors. Heat and drought may make leaf tips curl and wither. Light frost is possible when plants stay dry. Below about −2°C, flowers and leaf tips can suffer damage. Hard freezes cause further harm. Cool winter conditions around 5–10°C help start flower growth.

Its changing leaf form gives it value as a foliage plant. Winter flowers add a second point of interest. Feed once or twice during the growing season. Use a diluted, low-nitrogen feed made for succulents. Propagate it from seed or from shoots at the base. Let cut shoots dry for at least a week before planting. Too much water can cause damping-off in seedlings.