Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) : Growing and Care Tips

Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! Today it is all about how to grow and care for Aloe maculata. Aloe maculata also called Soap Aloe is a beautiful succulent that grows in rosettes, with distinctive sword-shaped leaves marked with white spots. The leaves are green with a white pattern, but they change color depending on the lighting conditions. Soap Aloe doesn’t get too big, remaining of manageable height throughout its lifetime.
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RESOURCES & LINKS:
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Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) : Growing and Care Tips
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
1:01- Light
1:11 - Soil, Water and Fertilizer
1:58- Temperature and Humidity
2:18 - Pruning
2:32 - Potting and Repotting
3:43 - Propagation
4:32- Blooms
4:49 - Toxicity and Common Pests
5:56 - Note and Avoid
6:07 - Common Problems
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Summary
Aloe maculata also called Soap Aloe is a beautiful succulent that grows in rosettes, with distinctive sword-shaped leaves marked with white spots. The leaves are green with a white pattern, but they change color depending on the lighting conditions. Soap Aloe doesn’t get too big, remaining of manageable height throughout its lifetime. It forms rosettes, which means its leaves are arranged around a central point instead of forming branches like other plants. A hardy succulent, Aloe maculata handles frost like a champ.
1. Light
Aloe maculata does best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. If you’re growing it indoors and have a sunny window, place your plant there.
2. Soil, Water and Fertilizer
Soap Aloe requires well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy or clay, consider amending it with sand or perlite to improve drainage. This Aloe has no problem growing in a container but add rocks or gravel to the bottom of the pot, so its roots don’t sit in water. Soap Aloe thrives on neglect, but you want to be sure it doesn’t dry out completely; water once every two weeks or so. Avoid over-watering to prevent any problems with root rot down the road. Soap Aloe does not need to be fertilized, but it can benefit from a small amount of fertilizer once or twice a year.
3. Temperature and Humidity
Soap Aloe does best when temperatures are between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with a minimum of 50 degrees. A south-facing window is ideal because it will receive the most amount of light and warmth. Maintain average room humidity, and you should have no problems with your Aloe.
4. Pruning
Soap Aloe does not need to be pruned, but you can do so if desired. The best time is during the spring months when the plant is actively growing. Remove dead leaves and stems at this time to promote healthy growth in the future.
5. Potting and Repotting
Aloe maculata does not need to be repotted or moved. It can stay in the same pot for several years. If you want to change its location, choose a new pot that is slightly larger than the old one. Moving your Aloe too often can cause it stress and lead to sunburned spots on its leaves. The best time to repot is at the beginning of spring when the plant is at its most vigorous.
6. Propagating Aloe arborescens by Suckers (Pups)
Soap Aloe is a versatile aloe, able to propagate from seeds, offsets, and cuttings. Offsets are the most convenient method and offer the quickest results, which is why they are recommended.
7. Blooms
Soap Aloe produces orange to red tubular flowers on a stalk from winter to spring. You’ll want to keep an eye out for these blooms because they’re one of the main reasons this plant is so sought after by gardeners! If given the proper care, these blooms can appear year-round.
8. Toxicity and Common Pests
Soap Aloe is non-toxic. In fact, the gel from the leaves can be used as soap to wash off dirt from the naked skin. So it is completely safe to have grown around the house. Mealybugs, Scale Insects and Aphids are some of the common pests of these plants.
9. Note and Avoid
Please Note and Avoid. Over-watering the plant, Placing it under harsh sunlight, Using poorly drained potting mediums, and Fertilizing during the dormancy period.
10 Common Problems
Over-watering, over-fertilization and browning leaves are some of the most common problems of these plants.
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[@CurlyCrowie]

I found 6 in the garden that nobody ever planted. Our family's own this house for 30 years. 3 months later amd there are 14. I moved back here a year ago. Nobody even knew the soap aloe was there. I love using the gel for shampoo.

[@ladybettletapperi]

Hi, can i eat or use this kind of aloe? I have a lot of this kind of aloe but I don't know how to use it 😢