Aloe tauri

Reference only - Not in production

Aloe tauri is a medium-sized aloe native to rocky grasslands and outcrops in southern Zimbabwe. It forms a dense rosette of spreading, lance-shaped leaves that are dark green to coppery red, with the strongest red coloration developing in full sun. The leaves have a slightly channelled or keeled surface, reddish margins and small brown-tipped teeth. Plants are usually stemless but can develop a short decumbent stem and slowly sucker from the base to form substantial groups. In bloom, an upright flower stalk rises to about 3 feet tall, usually carrying a single cylindrical raceme densely packed with bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers. The flowers have strongly exserted stamens and stigma, giving the unusually dense flower head a distinctive bottle-brush appearance. Grow Aloe tauri in full sun to partial shade and sharply drained soil. Allow the soil to dry between thorough waterings and keep it considerably drier during cool weather. It is adapted to seasonally dry conditions and is suited to warm temperate climates, with protection advisable during prolonged hard freezes. Its compact rosettes, coppery foliage and distinctive dense yellow flower spikes make it well suited to dry gardens, rock gardens, succulent plantings and containers.