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Aloe rubroviolacea is native to the Arabian Peninsula, occurring in the mountain chain that parallels the Red Sea Coast. It is found both in Yemen and in the adjacent part of southwestern Saudi Arabia. In nature, it grows in steep places and has a pendant or semi-pendant growth habit. However, it has done well at the Ruth Bancroft Garden (in Walnut Creek) on level ground, with the stems creeping along the ground as they elongate over time. "Rubroviolacea" means red-violet, and refers to the purplish coloration taken on by the leaves in sunny situations. Offshoots from the base arise occasionally, so that in time a clump is formed. Plants flower in the winter, beginning in late November or December. There is sometimes a second flowering in summer, but not nearly so many flower spikes are produced. The flower spikes may be single or with one or two branches, and are topped by dense clusters of attractive red flowers. Although the plants themselves are quite cold tolerant, enduring temperatures down to 20°F, the flowers can be damaged whenever freezing temperatures occur. Although this is not a problem in milder parts of the Bay Area, it can cause trouble in interior locations like Walnut Creek, where winter temperatures are lower. Only in milder winters at the Ruth Bancroft Garden do they make it unscathed all the way through the cold season.
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