Aloe maculata (Soap aloe )

Botanical name

Aloe maculata

Other names

Soap aloe , Aloe saponaria, African aloe, Zebra aloe, Aloe leptophylla

Genus

Aloe Aloe

Species

A. maculata - A. maculata is a short-stemmed or stemless, suckering, succulent perennial with rosettes of lance-shaped, toothed, white-marked, pale to dark green leaves and a branched stem bearing panicles of cylindrical, red, orange, or yellow flowers in summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Rosette, Erect flower stem, Suckering

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow, Orange, Red in Summer

Foliage

Spotted, Green, Variegated in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Mealybugs , Scale insects

Diseases

Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.

General care

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems if desired.

Propagation methods

Offsets, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Aloe maculata (Soap aloe ) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.6m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Sub-Tropical, Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Indoor, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, Architectural

Cultivation

Grow under glass sharply drained, loam-based compost in full light & good ventilation. In growth, water moderately & feed 2-3 times, sparingly in dormancy. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun. Hybridises freely with similar aloe species. May flower intermittently throughout the year in warm climates.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aloe maculata (Soap aloe )

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/