Aloe maculata or Soap aloe | Care and Growing

Care of the succulent plant Aloe maculata or Soap aloe

The genus Aloe is included in the subfamily Asphodeloideae (family Xanthorrhoeaceae), which comprises about 500 species of succulent plants native to Africa, Madagascar and the Middle East. Some species are: Aloe maculata, Aloe x caesia, Aloe pluridens, Aloe juvenna, Aloe ferox, Aloe ciliaris, Aloe x delaetii, Aloe barberae, Aloe aristata, Aloe arborescens, Aloe aculeata, Aloe variegata, Aloe striata, Aloe vera, Aloe x spinosissima, Aloe mitriformis, Aloe marlothii, Aloe plicatilis, Aloe thraskii, Aloe tenuior, Aloe suprafoliata, Aloe esculenta.

Common names: Zebra aloe, Soap aloe. This species is native to southern Africa.

It is a small succulent plant up to 30 cm (11.8") high with rosette leaves, bluish green (reddish if it gets a lot of sun) with white spots and 20 cm (7.87") long; they have brown spines on the margins. The flowers appear in branched terminal inflorescences and are reddish orange in color. It blooms from mid-winter to early spring.

Soap aloe is used to form groups, in borders, in rockeries and in pots; in the latter case it will not grow much because it has a great root development. It is ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

The ideal exposure is semi-shady and cold below 5 ºC (41 ºF) does not suit them.

Soil can be a 1/3 mix of light garden substrate, 1/3 coarse siliceous sand and 1/3 peat with leaf mulch.

Water in a moderate way since they resist drought well; slightly increase the watering in summer but always wait for the soil to dry before adding more water.

Zebra aloe does not need pruning or fertilization.

Aloe maculata is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases.

The best form of propagation is from the shoots that the plant itself produces at its base.