Plant Finder

Other Names:  Bontaalwyn

Description:

Small rosettes of succulent, toothed, dark green leaves, with attractive white markings; spreads aggressively, but offshoots are easy to lift; produces erect spikes of tubular coral flowers in fall or winter; a wonderful garden or container accent

Ornamental Features

Dwarf Soap Aloe's attractive succulent sword-like leaves remain dark green in color with distinctive white spots and tinges of bluish-green throughout the year on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. It features dainty spikes of coral-pink tubular flowers rising above the foliage from mid fall to mid winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dwarf Soap Aloe is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Spiny

Dwarf Soap Aloe is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Soap Aloe will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 15 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Dwarf Soap Aloe is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.