Aloe maculata
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Aloe saponaria has been renamed as Aloe maculata. It is excellent in rock, cactus and succulent gardens. Good for xeriscaping as well and can be used as a dry ground cover. Foliage color of Aloe maculata is a nice contrast to silvery-blue foliage. Its flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Pretty in containers, this is an easy, undemanding Aloe species.
Aloe maculata is a more cold and wet tolerant aloe than many other aloes. Its leaves are commonly spotted in a linear streaking fashion, and in this clone are a beautiful purple hue. The leaves have prominent teeth and the plant is usually stemless.
Aloe maculata is one of the more aggressive aloe species, sometimes showing up many feet away from the parent plant. It is a relatively fast grower and very easy to cultivate. It is also undemanding about soils and will grow in thick, poorly draining soils as well as better quality ones. It can be difficult to weed around because of spiny teeth.
Aloe maculata flowers are variable usually yellow, but also can be red, pink and orange. It flowers primarily in winter, but at other times as well. The flowers are usually held in branched stalks and the flower head is a flatted globe in shape – similar to Aloe striata.
The leaves contain saponins and can be used to make a soapy lather.
Horticultural Data
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
Names and Synonyms: Aloe saponaria
Common Names: Soap Aloe, African aloe, Zebra Aloe
Family: Aloeaceae
Origin: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana
Size Label: 1 Gallon
Height: 1′
Width: 1-2′
Cold Tolerance: 15 to 20°F, -9.4 to -6.7°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high
Light Requirement: Full sun to light shade
Water needs: Extremely drought tolerant
Maintenance: Remove offsets and spent flower spikes as desired.
Uses: Excellent in rock, cactus and succulent gardens. Good for xeriscaping as well and can be used as a dry ground cover. Foliage color of this clone is a nice contrast to silvery-blue foliage. Its flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Pretty in containers, this is an easy, undemanding Aloe species
Propagation: Remove and replant offsetting stems. Collect and plant seeds after flowering. Fresh seeds germinate quickly at 65°F
Research Links:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54452/
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=111
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-aloe-saponaria.htm
http://plants.jstor.org/taxon/aloe.saponaria
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week126.shtml
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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