Aloe pachygaster

Large plants and huge clusters of A. pachygaster , one of the most hardy species of aloe found in Namibia, are able to survive through icy winds and a temperature range from -6ºC through to +50ºC from October to January. It's 2 most distinctive features are their red flowers, which bloom in June and July, and their oversized thorns. Another feature peculiar to this species is their very narrow and upwardly curving leaves, armed with those sharp, black thorns.

Colour shades are similar to A. namibensis. Their preferred habitat is clay patches on calcrete and dolomite formations between Bethanië and to the south-eastern areas of Aus, both Namibian central southern regions. This plant grows well in gardens as long as they have been set in a sunny location. Expect them to last for around 2 years, they flower regularly in gardens and overdevelop in no time. Watering should be restricted to the late summer and early winter months. There demise south-east of Aus has been attributed to changing weather patterns, the once 700 strong plant population has been whittled down to just a few small plants.