Also known as zebra aloe, this evergreen succulent perennial is native to southern and eastern South Africa, and south-eastern Botswana and Zimbabwe where it grows in a variety of habitats from rocky outcrops to thickets and grasslands. It is a member of the Asphodelaceae family that also includes daylily (Hemerocallis), red hot poker (Kniphofia), and foxtail lily (Eremurus), but is a variable species and hybridizes easily. Plants form small rosettes of broad, fleshy, sword shaped leaves that are mostly recurved towards the dried, twisted tips. The leaves vary in color from red to green but always have H shaped white markings and sharp teeth on the margins. Branched stalks up to 3′ tall carry yellow to red flowers in a flat-topped raceme. The flowers appear from late winter to spring and intermittently thereafter, and are attractive to bees and hummingbirds. Plants are drought and salt tolerant and are a very good choice for coastal gardens as well as borders, ground covers, containers, succulent and rock gardens. The genus name, Aloe, is derived from the Arabic word alloeh meaning bitter and shiny substance and refers to the latex in the leaves . The specific epithet, maculata, if from the Latin word maculo meaning make spotted and refers to the markings on the leaves. The specific epithet, saponaria, comes from the Latin word sapo meaning soap and refers to the fact that the sap of the plant makes a soapy lather in water.
Type: Evergreen, succulent perennial
Bloom:Flat topped raceme of yellow to red flowers from alter winter to spring and intermittently thereafter
Size: 1-2′ H x 2′ W
Light: Full sun with afternoon shade in hot climates
Soil: Fertile, medium moist to dry, very well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Care: Feed regularly during the bloom season.
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy but susceptible to mealy bug, scale, leaf miner,
Propagation: Seed, division of offsets, leaf cuttings
Companion Plants: Crassula, sedum, kalenchoe
Outstanding Selections:
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers