• The spiral aloe is native to Lesotho, in Africa.Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  The spiral aloe, which is known scientifically as Aloe polyphylla, is a succulent plant that originates within the highlands of the Maluti Mountains, in the African nation of Lesotho. The spiral aloe is an attractive and rare aloe that only naturally occurs in Lesotho. The name "spiral aloe" comes from the fact that the leaves are arranged in a perfect spiral.
  
  

Description

• The spiral aloe is stemless and features a lone rosette that can be up to one foot in height. The leaves are arranged in a spiral which can be either clockwise or counter clockwise. The spiral consists of five rows. All of the rows have 15 to 30 leaves each. The bases of all the individual leaves are broad, and the leaves all taper to dark or purplish-brown sharp tips. The leaves are greyish-green in color, with irregularly toothed margins. Spiral aloe plants are usually made up of about 150 leaves. The showy flowers can be anything from salmon pink to dull red, and occasionally are yellow. The flowers bloom during the spring and summer months.
  
  

Cultivation

• Spiral aloe plants frequently appear in grassland with high altitudes (generally between 6,500 and 8,200 feet), on the steep slopes of basalt rock outcroppings (where they are endemic). The plants thrive when grown in either light shade or full sun. Well drained soil is preferable. Regular watering is necessary for all spiral aloe plants. In cold climates, it is vital for spiral aloe plants to receive sufficient sun during the early morning hours. Spiral aloe plants are tolerant of drought, and therefore are suitable for xeriscapes.
  
  

Endangered Species

• The spiral aloe plant is considered to be an endangered species. The population threat for the plants is because of several different reasons, including plant enthusiasts' unsustainable farming practices, overgrazing and the rarity of the Malachite sunbird, which is its pollinator.