Soap Aloe
Aloe maculata
Family: Asphodelaceae
One of the most common aloe species grown in our region, often found in large colonies. Individual rosettes grow about a foot tall, about 1-2’ wide, and suckering almost indefinitely. Flower spikes appear in spring with orange tubular flowers. The succulent leaves are green, but drought or cold can cause leaves to have a purplish or tannish tinting.
Plant in full to part sun. Moderate to low water is needed. Best to water 3-4 times a month in summer, and about once or twice a month in winter (Aloes are cool-season growers). Plants are hardy to 20°F but will show some damage on the outer leaves. Plants usually grow out of their frost damage in a few months. For lush, clean-looking plants, protect from frost.
This species is not native—sunbirds are the natural pollinator in Africa, where aloes are generally native. In the Americas, hummingbirds pollinate the plants. Bees, butterflies, and many other organisms use the flowers.
This plant gel is used traditionally as a remedy for many medicinal properties by local people like: Skin complains, inflammation, respiratory system, muscular-skeletal system, poisoning, circulation and endocrine system diseases. This plant is used as a soap.
The genus name, Aloe, is derived from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning "bitter and shiny substance". The species name, maculata, means speckled or marked. There are 594 species of Aloe native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean. It has naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Previously this plant was called Aloe saponaria and this specific epithet is from the Latin word 'sapo' meaning "soap" and refers to the use of this plant for soap in its native South Africa.
Though plants can persist in the wild in Arizona, they don’t seem to reproduce on any meaningful way, and don’t seem to be a threat as an invasive species. Most plants found outside of cultivation were planted by someone long ago.
The soap aloe is highly adaptable and is naturally found in a wide range of habitats across Southern Africa, from Zimbabwe in the north, to the Cape Peninsula in the south. Specifically, it is native to southern and eastern South Africa, south-eastern Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The blooms most often appear in late winter into spring, and can last a long time, sometimes into early summer. Photo by tamenie01, iNaturalist
Drought, intense sun, or cool temperatures can cause the foliage to be tinted darker. Photo by thephoxinus, iNaturalist
The foliage gets brown at the tips from cold damage or extreme drought. Photo by NT Moolman, iNaturalist
This species can sucker out, spreading almost indefinitely--limited only by resources (water). Photo by Carlos Picanço, iNaturalist