Aloe saponaira

Aloe saponaira
African aloe
Liliaceae Family

Compiled by the Master Gardeners
of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.

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Form: low clump of succulent leaves forming rosette
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 12in, colony of offsets to 12ft or more; rapid growth
Leaves: thick points with coarsely-toothed margins; dark green with distinctive white spots; foliage sometimes has reddish tinge; teeth are brown
Flowers: stalks 1/2 to 3ft tall, clusters of tubular coral-colored flowers; bloom in spring through early summer (first bloom is best)
Fruit: seed
Stems/Trunks: n/a
Range/Origin: South Africa
Hardiness: damaged below 32°F, recovers quickly

flower stalk on
Aloe saponaira
LANDSCAPE VALUE:

accent plant
reliable low-maintenance color
groundcover
attracts humming birds

leaf detail
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

Exposure: full sun or part shade
Water: natural rainfall; supplement to keep vigorous especially during long dry periods
Soil: adaptable, good drainage
Propagation: offsets
Maintenance: removal of old flower stalks; thin colony if desired

NOTES:

aka Zebra aloe
do not confuse with the medicinal A. barbadensis - the sap of A. saponaira is an irritant

clump of
African aloe

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This page was first created June 21, 2001 and last modified March 16, 2006.

Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net