Aloe greatheadii var. davyana makes an excellent garden plant, especially in the drier regions of South Africa. Because the plant is a succulent, it needs very little water, and because it is frost resistant, it will survive in extremely cold conditions.

Aloe seeds germinate very well but may damp off if overwatered. Use a mixture of river sand, compost and soil to sow seeds in. Sprinkle the seeds evenly on the surface and cover with a layer of small pebbles. The pebbles help the seedlings to stay upright and prevent damping off. Keep seed tray in a dry warm corner and do not allow to dry out. Transplant the seedlings after one year.

To cultivate by cuttings, remove cuttings/offspring from the parent plant with a sharp pruning knife or secateurs. Place the cuttings in the same mixture one uses for seeds except fill the top layer with river sand. Use root hormone to stimulate root growth.

If using damaged plants, use a fungicide to treat damaged roots and stems. Let the wound dry out and heal for some weeks before planting.

Pests: a thriving plant will be less prone to pests and diseases than one which suffers from incorrect watering, poor drainage or too much shade. Aloes, like most plants, are prone to a variety of diseases. Only a few of them will ultimately lead to the demise of the plant, but they will certainly spoil their appearance.

One of the most unsightly aloe infestations is the one caused by white scale insect which gathers in rows on the lower surfaces of leaves. They can be killed by insecticide. Alternatively, one can use a mixture of normal washing powder, dishwashing liquid and ammonia to kill them. Apply the mixture with a hand spray gun or wash the leaves with a soft brush. If left untreated, the insects will eventually cover the whole plant and even kill it.

Another problem is the occurrence of aloe cancer that causes deformation of the leaves or inflorescences. It occurs when mites feed on the plants and results in unnatural cell growth. It is very difficult to control this problem. In some cases the whole plant should be destroyed to prevent infestation of other plants. As a desperate measure, the infected areas can be removed by a sharp knife. Treat the wounds with insecticide.

Round brown spots are sometimes seen on leaves. This is caused by a fungus, and the disease is referred to as aloe rust. Treat these infected leaves with fungicide. Unfortunately recovery is very slow.

Probably the worst pest in South Africa is the snout beetle. This insect tunnels into the crown where it lays its eggs. The larvae hollow out the stems so that the plant starts to rot. Treat the plant with insecticide by injecting it into the stems.