Quiver tree (kokerboom) Aloidendron dichotomum
Quiver tree (kokerboom) (Aloidendron dichotomum) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Asphodelaceae family, native to Namibia and the Northern Cape (Namaqualand, rocky hills). It grows 3–7 m (10–23 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Quiver tree (kokerboom) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Quiver tree (kokerboom) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Mature height | 3–7 m (10–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 48 °C (118 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Namibia and the Northern Cape (Namaqualand, rocky hills) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Quiver tree (kokerboom) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap
Aloe latex is purgative.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Quiver tree (kokerboom)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Quiver tree (kokerboom) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (1 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (1 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (2 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (1 plants)
Questions about Quiver tree (kokerboom)
- How far apart should I plant Quiver tree (kokerboom)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Quiver tree (kokerboom) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Quiver tree (kokerboom) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Quiver tree (kokerboom)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Quiver tree (kokerboom) flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Quiver tree (kokerboom) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Aloe latex is purgative.
- What grows well with Quiver tree (kokerboom)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Quiver tree (kokerboom). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Forked (dichotomous) branches with rosettes at the tips and golden, powdery bark; San people hollowed branches into quivers. Vulnerable (IUCN).
- Flowers in midwinter (June–July in the south); date here is the northern equivalent.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Daylily Hemerocallis fulva
- Red hot poker Kniphofia uvaria
- Aloe vera Aloe vera
- New Zealand flax Phormium tenax
- Bitter aloe (Cape aloe) Aloe ferox
- Grass tree (balga) Xanthorrhoea preissii
- Blue flax lily (paroo lily) Dianella caerulea
- Krantz aloe (candelabra aloe) Aloe arborescens