Aloe macracantha

RHS Plant Profile

soap aloe

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Other common names

soap aloe

Synonyms

Aloe latifolia, Aloe macracantha, Aloe picta, Aloe saponaria

Cactus Succulent

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A stemless or short-stemmed succulent about 70cm tall, with thorny blue-green leaves which are strongly speckled white and form a neat, fleshy rosette. In early spring, spires of light orange flowers are held on tall branched stems, forming a flat-topped flowerhead

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asphodelaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Potentially harmful: Human/Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits): Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Aloe can be mat-forming or shrubby evergreen perennials, with rosettes of fleshy leaves and small tubular flowers in racemes or panicles
Name Status: Synonym
Plant Range: S Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a container of peat-free, cacti potting compost, or peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added horticultural grit. Water moderately when in growth, very sparingly when dormant in winter. Apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly from May to August. Can be placed outdoors in summer, see aloe cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate from seed or leaf cuttings or by separating plantlets from the base

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, red spider mite and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free