Soap aloe, zebra aloe, aloe maculata, soap production succulent flower plant

The Soap Aloe or Zebra Aloe, Red Aloe maculata, Aloe saponaria, Soap Production Flowering Succulent Plant

Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe)

Soap Aloe, Aloe saponaria, Zebra Aloe

Soap aloe is a tough plant adding a bold touch to any garden. IT GETS ITS NAME 'SOAP ALOE' BECAUSE OF ITS THICK, GEL-LIKE SAP FOUND IN THE FLESHY LEAVES THAT IS USED AS A NATURAL SOAP SUBSTITUTE FOR CLEANSING PURPOSES. THE ALOE MACULATE IS ALSO KNOWN AS ZEBRA ALOE, AND ALOE SAPONARIA.

Aloe maculate is also traditionally used for treating skin complaints, inflammation, respiratory, muscular-skeletal, poisoning, circulation, and endocrine system diseases.

Native to South Africa, this soap aloe has gained popularity worldwide for its striking foliage and beautiful flowers.

It features rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves that grow in a spiral pattern. The leaves are typically green, but they can develop reddish or brownish spots as the plant matures, giving it a unique and eye-catching appearance.

The leaves have toothed margins and are armed with small spines along the edges.

Aloe maculata can reach grow up to 2 feet tall and wide. However, the size can vary depending on the growing conditions and care provided. It is a relatively compact plant, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.

The Aloe maculate flowers produce tall, upright flower spikes that can reach up to 3 feet in height. The flowers are tubular and typically orange or red in color, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The blooming period usually occurs during the spring or summer months, adding a vibrant touch to your garden or indoor space.

Prized for its colorful flowers and interesting foliage, Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming small rosettes of thick, sword-shaped, white-spotted leaves adorned with sharp teeth along their edges. Pinkish red in full sun, the foliage turns bluish-green in part shade. Borne on branched stems, up to 3 ft. high (90 cm), from late winter to spring, heads of coral-orange flowers make a show and repeat intermittently year-round.

These grow quickly and become show-plants within a few years. Eventually, these pretty plants will make a short trunk, giving rise to branched stalked topped by outsized pom-poms of orange or red. Locals use the sap as soap.

*Hardy to Zone 9 to 12, but normally grown as a potted plant indoors or on the summer patio

*Grows up to 18 in. tall (45 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm).

*Easily grown in sandy or gravelly, moist or dry, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Once established, it needs only occasional water. Drought and salt tolerant.

*Well-suited for arid and semi-arid environments - full sun or partial shade in a well-drained soil.

*Great for beds and borders, coastal gardens, rock gardens, succulent or Mediterranean gardens.

*Relatively low-maintenance; virtually disease free, deer resistant.

*Excellent fire-retardant succulent for wildfire-prone areas.

*Native to South Africa

*This is a rare plant to find

Please note that the listing is for the plant in last 4 photos, with a height of 4.3"/11cm, without pot.

Very Hard to Find for Sale !!!

If you are passionate about producing soap from Aloe or are looking for a spectacular and unusual specimen that can decorate your homes in a unique and elegant way, this is definitely the plant for you :)