Aloe maculata
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Family: Asphodelaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Aloe maculata is a non-native California perennial in the Asphodelaceae family.
Aloe maculata is a naturalized perennial found in coastal regions near Point Conception at elevations below 100 meters in coastal bluff habitats. Flowering in April, this succulent produces orange-red to pink flowers in dense raceme-like clusters 10 to 30 centimeters long, with 20 to 65 individual blooms. Growing in dense, erect clumps up to 20 centimeters tall, the plant develops simple or branched stems. Its distinctive leaves are 1 to 3 decimeters long and 5 to 12 centimeters wide, lanceolate to ovate, featuring pale to dark green surfaces adorned with characteristic white spots. The fruit is an oblong red-brown capsule 20 to 35 millimeters long, adding visual interest to this ornamental succulent.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated in CCo region
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Diego
Outside California: widely naturalized, native to South Africa
Bloom period
Aloe maculata blooms Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Agave: Aloe flowers are tubular in loose spikes on multiple stems; Agave has one massive flower stalk and dies after blooming.; vs Kniphofia: Aloe has thick succulent leaves with spiny edges; Kniphofia has thin grass-like leaves without spines.; vs Aloiampelos: Aloe grows in rosettes; Aloiampelos has climbing or scrambling stems with leaves spaced along them.; vs Hechtia: Aloe has smooth-surfaced succulent leaves; Hechtia has stiff spiny leaves covered in silvery scales.; vs Kalanchoe: Aloe has spiny leaf margins and tubular flowers; Kalanchoe has smooth-edged leaves and flowers with 4 petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aloe maculata native to California?
No. Aloe maculata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Aloe maculata bloom?
Aloe maculata blooms Apr.
Where in California does Aloe maculata grow?
Aloe maculata occurs in Santa Barbara, San Diego, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Aloe maculata belong to?
Aloe maculata is in the Asphodelaceae family, genus Aloe.
What habitat does Aloe maculata grow in?
Aloe maculata grows in Coastal bluffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.