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Climbing Aloe
Aloiampelos ciliaris
SA tree number
English: Climbing Aloe, Common Climbing Aloe, Fynbos Climbing Aloe, Climbing Aloe, Cilia-leaved Aloe, Hairy-leaved Aloe
Afrikaans: Rankaalwyn, Klimaalwyn
Xhosa: Umhlaba-womlambo
Zulu: Isiphukane
Historical scientific names: Aloe ciliaris, Aloe longiflora, Aloe tenuior var. ciliaris
Aloiampelos ciliaris, commonly known as the Climbing Aloe or Fynbos Climbing Aloe, is a widespread and distinctive indigenous scrambling or climbing succulent found primarily in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. It is unique among many aloes for its long, slender, leafy stems that readily clamber over other vegetation or sprawl along the ground, adorned with small, soft-toothed leaves and bright orange to scarlet-red flowers.
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Distinguishing features:
Long, slender, flexible, scrambling or climbing stems.
Small, narrow, relatively soft leaves arranged in loose spirals along the stem.
Leaf margins have soft, white, hair-like teeth or cilia (hence "ciliaris").
Produces slender, unbranched flower spikes, often in clusters.
Flowers are typically orange-red to scarlet.
Flowers predominantly in spring and early summer, but can flower year-round.
Overall appearance:
Aloiampelos ciliaris grows as an often untidy, sprawling, or climbing succulent, forming dense tangles of stems that use other plants for support. Its stems are covered with small, recurved leaves, and in season, it produces bright, colourful flower spikes that add a vibrant splash of colour to its habitat.
Height:
As a scrambler, its height is variable, often reaching 1 to 3 metres, but it can clamber up to 5 metres or more into supporting vegetation.
Width:
Its sprawling habit can lead to a width of 1 to 3 metres, forming dense clumps.
Leaves:
The leaves are small, relatively thin (for an aloe), fleshy, and typically 3-8 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They are arranged in loose spirals along the stems and are distinctly recurved or reflexed (curving downwards and backwards). The colour is bright green to grey-green, often with a reddish tinge in full sun or cold conditions. The most defining feature is the presence of numerous soft, white, hair-like teeth or cilia (fringes) along the margins, which are not sharply painful to the touch.
Flowers:
The flowers are tubular, about 2.5-3.5 cm long, and loosely packed onto relatively short, unbranched spikes (racemes). Each inflorescence typically consists of 1 to 5 racemes, often in clusters. The flowers are typically a vibrant orange-red to scarlet, but yellow forms are also known. The stamens are exerted (protrude beyond the petals). Aloiampelos ciliaris flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts, so it is not dioecious.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, it can flower almost all year round under favourable conditions, but its peak flowering period is generally in spring and early summer (around August to December), often with a good flush in autumn as well.
Fruits:
The fruit is a dry, three-lobed capsule that develops after the flowers are fertilised. It is typically oblong, 1.5-2.5 cm long, and splits into three valves when mature to release the seeds.
Seeds:
The seeds are small, flattened, and winged, typically 2-3 mm long, with a dark brown to black colour. The wings aid in wind dispersal.
Stems:
The succulent and fibrous stems are relatively slender and leafy, becoming somewhat woody and persistent with age, but do not form true bark like a tree.
Thorns:
The leaves have soft, hair-like cilia (teeth) along their margins, but these are not sharp or thorny.
Roots: It has a fibrous root system. It can also root along its stems where they touch the ground.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable and thrives in well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. It can tolerate nutrient-poor conditions.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best with moderate watering. It is relatively frost-tolerant, with mature plants capable of withstanding light to moderate frost, though leaves may get damaged.
Edibility:
Not considered edible. While some aloe species have medicinal uses, Aloiampelos ciliaris is primarily ornamental and not used for food.
Toxicity:
Like many aloes, the sap contains anthraquinones, which can be purgative and irritating if ingested. While not acutely toxic in small amounts, large ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens, particularly for rockeries, banks, or as a scrambling groundcover. It is excellent for naturalising in fynbos or coastal gardens, where it can scramble over rocks and other shrubs. It also makes a good container plant where its scrambling habit can be managed. Its bright flowers attract sunbirds. Due to its historical classification under Aloe, it may share some general traditional medicinal uses with other aloes, but is not as widely documented for specific uses as Aloe ferox.
Ecology:
The vibrant orange-red flowers of Aloiampelos ciliaris are a crucial food source for various pollinators and nectarivores, especially sunbirds, which are strongly attracted to its nectar. Its sprawling and climbing habit provides excellent habitat and shelter for small birds and other wildlife, forming dense thickets that offer protection. It is an important component of fynbos and coastal thicket ecosystems.
Distribution and habitat:
Aloiampelos ciliaris is indigenous and widespread across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It typically grows in fynbos, coastal bush, forest margins, on rocky slopes, and in thicket vegetation, often scrambling over rocks, bushes, or even small trees. It is particularly common in the coastal regions.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Aloiampelos is a relatively new generic name, derived from "Aloe" (its former genus) and "ampelos" (Greek for "vine"), referring to its scrambling or climbing habit.
The species name ciliaris is Latin for "fringed with hairs" or "cilia," referring to the distinctive soft, hair-like teeth along the margins of its leaves.
Common names like "Common Climbing Aloe" directly refer to its growth habit. "Fynbos Climbing Aloe" indicates its prevalence in the fynbos biome.
Historical aspects:
Aloiampelos ciliaris has been known to indigenous communities in the Cape for centuries, likely for some traditional uses. It was one of the earliest aloes to be introduced to cultivation in Europe, with records dating back to the late 17th century, where its unique climbing habit made it a botanical curiosity. For a long time, it was classified under the genus Aloe (as Aloe ciliaris), but recent phylogenetic studies led to its reclassification into the genus Aloiampelos, along with other climbing aloes. Its hardiness and adaptability have made it a popular garden plant, particularly for covering banks or walls, and its year-round flowering is a bonus.
Interesting facts:
This isn't your typical upright aloe! This one loves to scramble and climb, using its long, flexible stems to clamber over rocks and other plants, making it a fantastic living curtain or groundcover.
Its leaves are lined with tiny, soft, hair-like fringes (like eyelashes!), which is where its scientific name "ciliaris" comes from. They're not sharp like other aloes!
It's a true survivor and can often be found growing happily in dense fynbos and coastal thickets.
Sunbirds are huge fans of this plant! Its bright orange-red flowers provide a continuous supply of nectar throughout much of the year, making it a great addition to a bird-friendly garden.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Very easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply break off a branch, allow it to dry (callus) for a few days, and plant it in well-drained soil. Can also be grown from seed.
Planting: Prefers a sunny to partially shaded position. Plant in well-drained soil; it tolerates a range of soil types.
Watering: Water regularly during dry periods, especially when establishing. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
Frost Protection: Relatively frost-tolerant, but protect from very severe frost, especially young plants.
Pruning: Can be pruned to control its spread or to encourage bushier growth.
Support: Provide support if you want it to climb vertically (e.g., a trellis, fence, or allow it to scramble through other sturdy shrubs).
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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