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Aloe plicatilis 12cm

Name: Aloe plicatilis 12cm
Brand: Greenleaf Garden Center
SKU: Aloeplicatilis13cm
Price: 19.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

€22,00

€19,00

Quantity

Aloe plicatilis

The aloe that opened into a fan 🪭

Family: Asphodelaceae • Pot diameter: 13cm • Height: 20cm

Asphodelaceae Evergreen succulent Very bright spot Low watering RHS AGM

RHS Award of Garden Merit: Aloe plicatilis, currently accepted as Kumara plicatilis, has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its reliable ornamental value, distinctive fan-shaped leaf arrangement and impressive presence as an architectural succulent.

Aloe plicatilis, also known as Fan Aloe, is one of the most distinctive architectural succulents, with leaves that open in flat fans instead of the classic rosette of many aloes. Its look is clean, sculptural and especially elegant: blue-green, strap-like leaves arranged like natural “pleated” planes, on a stem that over time can develop a tree-like, collectible form. Even at a young size, it already has premium character, while its mature form feels like a living botanical sculpture. It is a plant for those who want something different from the classic aloe — rarer, more linear and with a much stronger stage presence.

Light

☀️ Very bright

Needs strong natural light and mild to good sun after acclimatisation.

Watering

💧 Low

Water when the substrate has dried well.

Substrate

🪨 Free-draining

Succulent mix with excellent drainage and aeration.

Form

🪭 Fan

Leaves in flat fan-shaped clusters, with an architectural line.

What makes it special

🪭 Its leaves grow in fans, not in a classic rosette, so it stands out instantly.
🏅 It has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its reliable ornamental value.
🌿 Over time, it can develop a tree-like, sculptural form with a stem and branches.

Ideal use

🪴 In a bright spot, on a low piece of furniture, kitchen counter or console while the plant is young.
☀️ On a protected balcony or bright outdoor spot in a warm climate, with gradual acclimatisation to sun.
🪨 In collections with rare succulents, aloes, agave-like plants and architectural forms.

Where to place it

Place it in a very bright position, ideally with plenty of natural light and good air circulation. Indoors, it needs the brightest available window, while outdoors in Greece it can grow in a protected spot with gentle or acclimatised sun, avoiding sudden exposure to hot midday sun if it has been grown in shade. The pot must drain extremely well, because the plant has succulent tissues and does not like constant moisture around the roots. At around 20cm tall, it works beautifully on a low piece of furniture, bright counter, console, shelf near a window or protected balcony.

What to combine it with

With Agave, Gasteria and Haworthia, for a composition with clean lines and a related xerophytic look.
With Aloe, Echeveria and Crassula, when you want a succulent collection with different forms.
With stone, gravel, lava rock or a minimalist cover pot, so the fan-shaped leaf arrangement becomes the centrepiece.

Composition goal: architectural planting with succulents, clean lines, mineral textures, very bright light and controlled watering.

Origin of the variety click to read

Taxonomic history: The plant is widely known as Aloe plicatilis, but the currently accepted botanical name is Kumara plicatilis. The older name remains very recognisable in the trade, especially with the common name Fan Aloe, because of the characteristic leaf arrangement.

Place/habitat & distribution: Kumara plicatilis is native to the south-western Cape Province of South Africa, where it grows on rocky slopes among fynbos vegetation. This origin explains its preference for very bright light, free-draining substrate and drier conditions compared with tropical plants.

Naming: “plicatilis” means pleated or folded, while the common name Fan Aloe comes from the leaf clusters that resemble open fans. This form makes it instantly recognisable even at a small size.

Growth & flowering: At maturity, it can develop into a succulent shrub or small tree, with branches and fan-shaped clusters of leaves. Its flowering is striking, with tubular red to vermilion flowers on upright flower stalks.

1) Light: Place it in a very bright spot. Outdoors, the transition to stronger sun should happen gradually.

2) Watering: Water only when the substrate has dried well. In winter, keep watering more sparse.

3) Substrate: Use a very free-draining succulent mix, with pumice, sand or another mineral material.

🔎 Detail	Information
🌿 Scientific name	Kumara plicatilis · synonym/trade name Aloe plicatilis
🪴 Pot/Size	13cm • Height: 20cm
☀️ Light	Very bright spot to sun, with gradual acclimatisation to strong outdoor light.
💧 Watering	Low; water only when the substrate has dried well.
🪨 Substrate	Very free-draining succulent mix, with mineral materials and fast water runoff.
🪭 Foliage	Strap-like blue-green leaves, unarmed or almost unarmed, in distinctive fan-shaped clusters.
🌺 Flowering	On mature plants, tubular red to vermilion flowers on upright flower stalks.
🚫 Toxicity	The leaves are harmful if eaten; keep it away from children and pets that chew plants.

Tip 💡 Aloe plicatilis looks its best when grown with very bright light and a clean, free-draining substrate. Do not treat it like a classic indoor plant that wants frequent moisture; its beauty is built with light, air and patience.

Did you know? 🤔 Fan Aloe does not form the classic rosette you expect from many aloes. Its leaves open like a fan, which is why it looks more like a small botanical sculpture than an ordinary succulent.

Why you’ll love it info

🪭 It has fan-arranged leaves, with a very different look from classic aloes.
🏅 It has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, officially recognised for its ornamental value.
🌿 Over time, it can develop a stem and a small tree-like, sculptural form.
🪨 It looks beautiful in minimalist compositions with stone, gravel and succulents.

Greenleaf for plant geeks — scientific facts nobody asked for 🧠 geek

🧬 The accepted botanical name is Kumara plicatilis, while Aloe plicatilis remains a very well-known synonym in the trade.
🪭 “plicatilis” refers to the pleated/fan-shaped arrangement of the leaves, the plant’s most recognisable feature.
🌍 It comes from the south-western Cape Province of South Africa, on rocky slopes and in fynbos vegetation.
🌺 In its natural habitat, the tubular red flowers are associated with pollination by birds such as sunbirds.

Does it need direct sun? light

It needs a very bright position and can receive sun, especially outdoors, but the transition to strong Greek sun should be gradual to avoid scorching.

When should it be watered? water

Water only when the substrate has dried well. In winter or in lower light, watering should be even more sparse.

Is it the same as Kumara plicatilis? taxonomy

Yes. Aloe plicatilis is the familiar trade/older name, while the currently accepted botanical name is Kumara plicatilis.

Is it suitable for pets? safety

It is better placed away from pets and children that chew plants. The leaves are harmful if eaten.

🔎 Note: Due to the natural diversity of plants, the plant you receive may differ slightly from the one shown in the photo. Shape, size or colour may vary depending on the season, growing conditions and the natural character of each plant.

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Aloe plicatilis 12cm

Aloe plicatilis 12cm

Aloe plicatilis

Light

Watering

Substrate

Form

What makes it special

Ideal use

Where to place it

What to combine it with

Aloe plicatilis 12cm — Care & Tips

We take care of the packaging!

With specially designed boxes, we ensure that the plants will reach you intact, no matter what they encounter on the way!

All plants in 3L pots or larger are placed in individual boxes that secure the plant at the base of the pot, preventing it from tipping over.

The cardboard used for the boxes is specially made to provide resistance to potential impacts during transport.

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