Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a scrambling climber and benefits from support to look its best.

How often should I water it?

Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Plant guide

Climbing Aloe.

Aloiampelos ciliaris

Pronounced al-oh-ee-AM-peh-los sil-ee-AIR-iss

Also known as Common Climbing Aloe, climbing aloe

Common Climbing Aloe — Photo by Jeremy Gilmore (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This vigorous climber is a fantastic choice if you want a fast growing succulent that adds height to your space. It naturally scrambles over other plants in its native habitat, so it loves having a trellis or support to lean on. You will enjoy its bright orange flowers that often appear throughout the year.

Another photo of Climbing Aloe — Photo by RAP (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 10 to 21 days
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Give this plant plenty of light to keep it from getting too leggy. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out entirely before you water again.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a bushier shape or to keep it within bounds.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 0 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The sap can be irritating to sensitive skin and is considered toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves are somewhat sharp and the sap is irritating.
Contact allergens: The clear sap may cause mild contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergy risks associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Long, slender, vining stems
Fleshy, lance shaped green leaves
Small white teeth along leaf edges
Bright orange tubular flowers
Rapid climbing growth habit

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: orange, red, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Mealybugs · Small white cottony insects that cluster in leaf axils.
Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains too wet for too long.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move containers indoors or to a frost-free location before the first freeze. Keep the plant dry during the winter months to prevent rot.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, but ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 to 15 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Allow the cut end to callous over in a shaded spot for a few days.
3. Plant the cutting in a well-draining succulent potting mix.
4. Keep the soil barely moist until roots establish.

Group this plant with other drought tolerant succulents that appreciate excellent drainage.

Grows well with

Blue Chalk Sticks · It shares similar water and light requirements in a succulent garden.
Jade Plant · This provides a nice structural contrast while thriving in the same conditions.

Similar species

Soap Aloe · It is another popular, easy to grow aloe species.

Science

Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Aloiampelos
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered in its native range.

It survives by scrambling over other vegetation to reach sunlight in dry, rocky scrubland.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental climber, xeriscaping, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?: Yes, it is a scrambling climber and benefits from support to look its best.
How often should I water it?: Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Aloiampelos combines Aloe and the Greek word ampelos, meaning vine. The species name ciliaris refers to the ciliate or hair-like teeth along the leaf margins.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the climbing aloe.
The specific epithet ciliaris refers to the small hairs on the leaf sheaths.
It can easily reach several meters in height when provided with support.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 23, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.