Soap Aloe. Aloe saponaria, Asphodelaceae Family ( Asphodelaceae ) a subdivision of the Lily Family ( Liliaceae ), Soap Aloe. Also Called: Tiger Aloe, African aloe. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Aloe saponaria, or African Aloe, is a native of South Africa. African Aloe is a clump-forming aloe which grows in a stemless rosette, and produces little offset rosettes around its margin. Its lance - shaped leaves are thick and succulent, pale - green with white speckles, and about 10 - 12 inches long. It sends up a purplish branched stalk about 2 feet tall, bearing tubular shaped yellow, orange, or red flowers. Its leaf margins are armed with sharp, dark brown teeth. Soap aloe is damaged in hard freezes, but it recovers quickly. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. It is very pool friendly. But, be careful walking nearby, as the edges are extremely sharp! The sap from the leaves can be used as a soap substitute. Do not confuse with the medicinal A. barbadensis species; the sap of A. saponaira is an irritant!! Quick Notes: Height: Height to about 1 1/2 feet. Spreading to about 1 1/2 feet. Flowers: Red, Orange, or Yellow drooping flowers grow in a long raceme at the top of the purplish branched flower stalk. On an inflorescence that is branched into 3 to 8 racemes, the racemes sre 8 inches to 16 inches in length. Flowers are 1 inch - 2 1/4 inch in length, tubular in shape and slightly upturned at the mouth. Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, Febuary - March. Occasionally during the summer. Stems: Stemless, densely leaved rosette, about a foot and a half tall, and wide. Fruit: The fruit is a triangular capsule containing numerous seeds. Leaves: Lance - shaped, thick, succulent, pale green, with white speckles, 10 -1 2 inches long. The leaf margins with sharp, dark - brown teeth. Found: Soap Aloe is native to the arid regions in eastern South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Hardiness: Said to only be hardy to 28�F. We would only grow it to Zone 9b. We know it survived in that Zone. USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Partial Shade Elevation: 0 - 2,800 feet in Arizona. Habitat: Sandy or gravelly, well-drained soil. Full Sun. Best with some shade. Protect from Freeze. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken At At Phoenix Desert Nursery. About Three Weeks After A Freeze. March 3, 2008. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping.

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