How to Grow and Care for Fan Aloe

Kumara plicatilis

With sculptural, corky branches ending in fan-shaped rosettes of succulent leaves, fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis syn. Aloe plicatilis) is a unique plant that would look equally at home in a garden of botanical oddities as in a Dr. Seuss book.

This fascinating species can be grown indoors or outdoors under the right conditions.

For fans of bonsai, wizened bristlecone pines, and other sculptural trees, fan aloe offers the same striking appeal.

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Whether cultivated in containers or in the ground, this unusual plant can grow considerably over the years with proper care.

Whether you’re considering growing one of these succulent trees or simply want to learn about this magnificent plant, this article will inform and satisfy your curiosity.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Strap-shaped, light green to grayish green succulent leaves grow in fan-like arrangements at the ends of woody, branching stems.

These low-maintenance shrubs or small trees reach a few feet tall in home gardens, or up to 16 feet under optimal conditions.

In addition to its intriguing foliage, K. plicatilis produces eye-catching tubular, bright red to orange flowers on 18-inch stems from winter to spring.

Hardy in USDA Zones 9b to 11b, this long-lived species works well in rock gardens, xeriscapes, and can serve as part of a fire-resistant landscape strategy.

Also known as book-leaf aloe or French Hoek aloe, this shrubby species is native to the fynbos ecoregion of South Africa.

It originated in a Mediterranean-like climate and is well-adapted to cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers.

Experienced succulent growers have a solid foundation for growing fan aloe, but this guide covers the specific care requirements.

Let’s take a look at their cultural requirements:

How to Grow

There are a few different factors that must be combined to create fan aloe magic – these include the right approach to light, soil, water, and of course, climate.

In our guide to growing succulents, we give an overview of how to cultivate these plants in your home and landscape.

Climate

Having originated in a Mediterranean-type climate, K. plicatilis is a great option for gardeners in parts of California and southern Europe in Zones 9b to 11b, or equivalent.

If you’re gardening in a cooler location, further north than Zone 9b, you’ll need to provide winter protection or cultivate it as a houseplant.

Learn how to care for succulents in winter here.

This species enjoys hot weather and when grown as a houseplant, it will benefit from being placed outdoors during summer.

Light

Fan aloe can be cultivated in full sun to part shade. Consider locating it where it will receive sun in the morning and shaded conditions in the afternoon, especially in very hot regions.

For those growing K. plicatilis as a houseplant, place it close to a south-facing window or you can use a grow light.

Soil

Since this species grows in rocky, well-drained soils in its native regions, you’ll need to try and mimic those conditions for best results.

While many succulents grow in alkaline conditions, fan aloe prefers growing mediums with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 – slightly acidic.

You may have to amend a commercial mix or make your own potting soil for succulents.

Water

This plant is pretty forgiving about moisture, but for best results, let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing isn’t necessary, but if you want to speed up growth, you can feed your fan aloe once a month during the growing season with a fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents.

A fertilizer like Dr. Earth’s Succulence Plant Food is a good choice, be sure to apply according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Dr Earth Succulence

You can find 16-ounce pump dispensers of Dr. Earth’s Succulence Plant Food available from Arbico Organics.

Learn more about fertilizing here.

Where to Buy

One of the rarer succulents in cultivation, fan aloes may be hard to find at local big box stores or family run plant nurseries. You may need to look for stores that specialize in succulents.

Alternatively, you can also source seeds from succulent seed sellers and propagate your own.

Propagation

There are two main methods for propagating fan aloe: growing from seed or rooting cuttings.

From Seed

Growing new specimens from seed requires some patience, as germination can take many months.

Here’s how:

1. Fill three- to four-inch nursery pots with coarse sand.
2. Sow up to three seeds per pot, planting them half an inch deep.
3. Water the growing medium and apply a biofungicide according to the manufacturer’s directions.
4. Place the nursery pots under a humidity dome, and place in bright light with a few hours of direct sun every day or under a grow light.
5. Keep the medium moist and re-apply biofungicide as directed on the package until the seeds sprout.

After germination, gradually remove the humidity dome and transition the seedlings to more direct sunlight and less frequent waterings.

Learn more about propagating aloes from seed here.

From Branch Cuttings

Gardeners can take cuttings from specimens with branches for propagation.

Select a branch with several rosettes, and remove it from the parent plant with a pair of sharp, sterilized garden pruners.

Place the cutting in a well-ventilated, dry location out of direct sunlight for three weeks to allow the wound to heal or callus over.

Choose an appropriately sized nursery pot for the cutting, and fill it with moist coarse sand.

Transplanting

If you’re unsure whether it’s time to repot a container-grown specimen or transplant a seed- or cutting-grown plant, the general rule is to wait until it has clearly outgrown its container.

Signs include roots poking through the drainage holes or pushing up through the surface of the soil.

When you’re ready to transplant, start by choosing a container one size larger than the current one. For in-ground plants, dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the original pot.

If needed, amend the soil to improve drainage.

Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the soil around the outer edges of the root ball.

Set it into the new container or planting hole, making sure the top of the root ball remains level with the surface of the soil.

Fill in around the roots with fresh soil or growing medium, but don’t bury the crown.

After transplanting, wait a week before watering the newly transplanted succulent.

Pests and Disease

Fan aloes are generally trouble-free when grown in the right conditions, with few issues from pests or disease.

Pests

Many nursery-grown plants can carry common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects, so inspect any new purchase before placing it near any other prized plants.

Quarantining new houseplants for at least two months is a smart habit, it gives you time to catch any hitchhikers before they spread to your other plants.

Disease

On the other hand, plants that are still perky looking that have some yellow or browning leaves may be perfectly healthy.

Find more details about how to deal with rotting succulents here.

The Fan Aloe Fan Club

Now that you’ve learned about the backstory and growing needs of this succulent plant, do you consider yourself a member of the (unofficial) fan aloe fan club?

Remember to provide the plant with excellent soil drainage and keep it protected from cold temperatures, and you may be one of the lucky ones who gets to see this South African plant grow to the size of a shrub or small tree!

If you have any remaining questions about growing this succulent, feel free to drop them in the comments section below. Have any tips of your own you’d like to share with our readers? Let us know!

And if you’re looking for other aloes to grow in your yard, save these articles to read next: