# Red Hot Poker Aloe (*Aloe aculeata Pole-Evans*) Red Hot Poker Aloe has tall, bright red flower spikes that look like torches! They are fun to see in gardens and attract birds. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Sunny gardens ![Red Hot Poker Aloe](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426089/objects/4996.jpg) ## Appearance The Red Hot Poker Aloe has a striking rosette of thick, grey-green, sword-shaped leaves often edged with reddish spines. Tall, torch-like flower spikes emerge, bursting with clusters of tubular flowers that graduate from fiery red at the top to orange or yellow at the base. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asphodelaceae - **Genus:** Aloe ## Interesting facts - It's related to the well-known Aloe vera, but this one is much, much spikier! - Its spiky leaves can look like a dragon's scales guarding a treasure! - Some people call it a 'torch lily' because of its fiery, upright flower spikes! - The flowers change color as they bloom, like a fiery sunset on a stalk! ## Special abilities - **Spiky Protector:** Red Hot Poker Aloe has sharp spines on its leaf edges that help it defend against hungry animals. - **Water Warehouse:** Its thick, fleshy leaves can store lots of water, helping it survive long, dry periods. - **Nectar Flare:** The bright, tubular flowers act like a beacon, attracting birds for pollination with sweet nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-100 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Bird ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Greater Double-collared Sunbird (*Cinnyris afra*) — Feeds on nectar from its tubular flowers. - **Pollinates:** Western Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its blooms. - **Eats:** [Greater Kudu](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-kudu) (*Tragelaphus strepsiceros*) — Browses on the leaves despite their spines. ## Traits - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red Hot Poker Aloe? Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Red Hot Poker Aloe? 60-100 cm ### How wide does Red Hot Poker Aloe spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Red Hot Poker Aloe? 2-3 cm ### When does Red Hot Poker Aloe bloom? Summer ### Is Red Hot Poker Aloe edible? No ### Is Red Hot Poker Aloe toxic? Mild ### What is Red Hot Poker Aloe's lifecycle? Perennial ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Red Hot Poker Aloe: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-hot-poker-aloe)