What makes Aloe 'Rooikappie' (Little Red Riding Hood) unique among succulents?

Aloe 'Rooikappie' is distinguished by its striking red-orange blooms that appear on tall spikes, providing vibrant color especially in winter. Its evergreen, fleshy foliage and low-maintenance, drought-tolerant nature make it a standout choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience.

How do I care for Aloe 'Rooikappie' to ensure it thrives?

To keep Aloe 'Rooikappie' healthy, plant it in well-draining soil and ensure it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Protect the plant from frost and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

Is Aloe 'Rooikappie' suitable for container gardening or indoor spaces?

Yes, Aloe 'Rooikappie' thrives in containers, making it perfect for patios, balconies, or as an indoor plant in bright, sunny locations. Ensure the container has sufficient drainage and use a sandy or gravelly soil mix to support healthy growth.

Can Aloe 'Rooikappie' tolerate drought and hot climates?

Aloe 'Rooikappie' is highly drought-tolerant once established and thrives in warm, sunny climates, particularly in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. It's an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens, offering beautiful blooms and resilient foliage even in arid conditions.

How can I propagate Aloe 'Rooikappie'?

Aloe 'Rooikappie' is easy to propagate by separating offset pups from the parent plant. These pups can be planted in their own pots or garden spaces. Leaf cuttings are also possible, though they have lower success rates compared to offsets.

1 6

Bonte Farm

Aloe 'Rooikappie': Dwarf Clumping Aloe with Bright Red Flowers, Compact and Drought-Tolerant

$29.00 USD

Sale Sold out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size 1-gal 3-gal

Aloe 'Rooikappie': Little Red Riding Hood

Aloe 'Rooikappie' (pronounced "Roo-i-ka-ppie," meaning "Little Red Riding Hood" in Afrikaans) is a delightful, modern hybrid Aloe celebrated for its compact size and spectacular bloom display. This dwarf clumping Aloe is highly valued for its vigor and ability to produce an abundance of bright, scarlet-red flower spikes, which rise dramatically above the foliage. Unlike many large, slow-to-flower Aloes, 'Rooikappie' often begins blooming early and continues to produce flowers throughout the cooler months, providing essential winter color.

The foliage forms a dense, neat rosette of plump, blue-green leaves covered in soft, pale speckles. It is a low-maintenance and easy-to-grow succulent that quickly forms dense clusters of offsets (pups).¹ Its small, manageable stature makes it an ideal choice for container gardening, edging, and small xeriscape beds. A favorite of gardeners seeking to attract wildlife, the vibrant tubular flowers of Aloe 'Rooikappie' are a powerful lure for nectar-feeding birds.

Botanical Characteristics

Characteristic	Detail
Scientific Name	Aloe 'Rooikappie' (Hybrid Cultivar)
Common Names	Rooikappie Aloe, Little Red Riding Hood Aloe
Growth Habit	A dense, dwarf clumping succulent that produces numerous offsets (pups) to form a tight mound.
Foliage	Plump, fleshy leaves of blue-green or gray-green, often covered in attractive pale white spots and featuring small teeth on the margins.
Flowers	Showy, upright flower spikes bearing numerous bright, scarlet-red tubular blooms.
Flowering Season	Excellent winter bloomer, often extending from autumn through spring, providing crucial cool-season color.
Special Features	Exceptional cold-tolerance for a hybrid Aloe and highly appealing to nectar-feeding wildlife.

Mature Size

Aloe 'Rooikappie' is a true dwarf or small-form Aloe, making it extremely versatile.²

Height (Foliage): Typically reaches only 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) tall.
Height (In Bloom): Flower spikes reach 1–1.5 feet (30–45 cm) tall.
Spread: Individual rosettes spread 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) wide, forming clumps that can spread 2–3 feet across.
Its compact size is perfect for window boxes, small containers, and front-of-border planting.³

USDA Hardiness Zone

This robust hybrid is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11.⁴ It is known for its relatively good cold tolerance, surviving light frosts well, but requires protection from hard freezes and excessive winter moisture.⁵

Cultivation and Care

Aspect	Care Instructions
Sunlight	Prefers full sun to encourage dense growth and maximum flower production. Tolerates partial sun but may bloom less profusely.
Soil	Requires sharp drainage; use a well-aerated, gritty mix formulated for succulents or cacti.
Water	Highly drought-tolerant. Water sparingly and deeply, allowing soil to dry completely. Significantly reduce or stop watering in winter.
Fertilizer	A light application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring and again in autumn can boost flowering.
Pruning	Remove spent flower stalks by cutting them off at the base. Separate offsets only when propagation is desired.

Landscape Use

Container Gardening: A perfect size for patio pots, window boxes, and as a year-round houseplant in cold climates.
Rock Gardens: Thrives in the lean soil and excellent drainage of a rock garden.⁶
Edging/Borders: Ideal for defining the front edge of a garden or walkway due to its neat, dwarf habit.
Bird Attracting: An essential plant for attracting hummingbirds and sunbirds during the winter.⁷

Wildlife Attraction

The brilliant, nectar-rich tubular red flowers of Aloe 'Rooikappie' are a magnet for hummingbirds (in the Americas) and other nectar-feeding birds.⁸ The dense, clumping foliage is generally deer and rabbit resistant due to its bitterness.⁹

Pest and Disease Resistance

This hybrid displays strong overall health. The primary issues are root rot and fungal problems, which are almost always caused by poor drainage or overwatering, particularly in winter. Ensuring the soil is dry and well-aerated is the key to prevention. Watch for the common Aloe mite, though this plant generally exhibits good resistance.

Propagation

Aloe 'Rooikappie' is a highly clumping variety, making propagation very easy.¹⁰ It is most reliably reproduced by separating the numerous offsets (pups) that grow around the base of the mother plant. Carefully cut the pup away, allow the cut surface to callous (dry) for a few days, and then plant it in dry, gritty soil to ensure the new plant is true to type.

View full details

FAQs

Got a question? We are here to answer

Aloe 'Rooikappie': Dwarf Clumping Aloe with Bright Red Flowers, Compact and Drought-Tolerant