Aloe ballyi

This plant listing for reference only.

Aloe ballyi, commonly known as rat aloe, is an evergreen, arborescent aloe native to southeastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania, where it grows in dry bushland, rocky hills, and forest margins. It is notable for its tall, slender habit and for being one of the very few aloe species regarded as genuinely toxic, which places it more in the realm of botanical and conservation interest than routine horticulture. In habitat it can form a single, upright, unbranched stem reaching an estimated 18 to 26 feet tall, though plants in cultivation are typically much shorter. The trunk is relatively clean, as old leaves do not persist, and is topped by a sparse crown of long, narrow, mostly straight green leaves that recurve only slightly at the tips. Marginal teeth are small and unobtrusive, giving the foliage a lightly armed appearance compared to many aloes. Flowering occurs on inflorescences that rise above the leaf crown and carry tubular flowers in muted reddish-pink to coral tones, though detailed flowering records are limited due to the species’ rarity. Aloe ballyi was formally described by Reynolds and has a restricted natural range that has been reduced by habitat loss. It requires warm, frost-free conditions, excellent drainage, full sun to light shade, and sparse irrigation, and is best suited to USDA Zone 11. Because of its toxic sap and strong odor, it should be handled with care and grown only in appropriate settings.