Aloe africana is native to Eastern Cape in South Africa where it grows within thickets of shrubs from sea level to nearly 1,000 feet in elevation; it’s solitary and often unbranched small tree-like aloe which usually grows up to 6 feet in height with rosettes that are densely crowded with gracefully arching 2 foot long lance-shaped thick grayish blue-green leaves that have prominent sharp red teeth along the margins.

This species flowers from late fall to early spring with un-branched to few-branched 2 to 3 foot inflorescence of erect long-tapering terminal spikes of flowers that are orange in bud and turn yellow just prior to opening from the bottom of the spike upwards. The individual flowers are held in a downward inclination but uniquely turn upwards towards the tips.

Plant is full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate regularly to very little.  Keep it back from walkway paths as the teeth are sharp and catch clothing and cut the skin.