Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
Characteristics
- Type: Succulent
- Zone: 10 to 12
- Height: 1 – 2 Feet
- Spread: 6 – 12 Inches
- Bloom Time: Seasonal Bloomer
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Dry
- Maintenance: Low
- Flower: Showy
- Leaf: Evergreen
- Tolerates: Drought
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zone 10-12. In cooler areas, Aloe Vera may be grown indoors in containers. As a house plant, it is easily grown in sandy well-drained commercial potting loams. Best sited in full sun, but this plant seems to adapt to some part shade. It needs bright light for flowering. Tolerant of drought and dry indoor air. Water very moderately in spring, summer and fall, but reduce watering to the minimum in winter. Tolerates 50F to 60F degree nights in summer with a minimum of 40F degrees in winter. Aloe Vera plants taken outside for summer should be protected from rain, and should be brought indoors in early fall before night temperatures begin to dip below 50°F. Easily propagated from offsets that appear near the base of mature plants.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aloe vera, commonly called medicinal aloe, is a stoloniferous, stemless, tropical perennial that grows upright with stiff rosettes of succulent leaves. Common name is in reference to the folk medicine history of this plant which goes back to the pre-Christian era. Lance-shaped green leaves (to 18” long) are spotted white and armed with whitish marginal teeth. Leaves mature to gray-green. Plants may grow to as much as 3’ tall. Flowering occurs only on mature plants, typically in summer. On container plants, flowering will only occur on plants grown in optimum conditions (e.g., sunny windows or sunny outdoor locations). Yellow flowers in racemes bloom atop erect stalks rising to as much as 3’ tall.
Medicinal aloe is noted for the healing and cosmetic properties attributed to its sap. The sap is added to a large number of commercial cosmetics, particularly lotions and creams. Sap is noted for its ability to moisten dry skin. Sap from a broken leaf may be applied directly to burns on the skin for relief. The sap also reportedly has strong laxative properties. Medicinal aloe is also commonly called burn plant or burn aloe. Synonymous with and formerly known as Aloe barbadensis.
Problems
Watch for mealy bugs and scale. Avoid overwatering.
Garden Uses
House plant for dry, sunny areas.
Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder