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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Anthurium scherzerianum Anthurium scherzerianum
Kalanchoe Leaves
Lantana camara Lantana camara flower
Aloe vera has some common insect problems:
Mealybugs
Aloe vera has some common disease problems:
Sooty Molds

Aloe Vera Aloe vera

Previously known as:

  • Aloe barbadensis
  • Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis
  • Aloe perfoliata var. barbadensis
  • Aloe perfoliata var. vera
Phonetic Spelling
AL-oh VER-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Succulents are plants that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, allowing the plant to retain water in arid areas.  Aloe Vera is a succulent that can be grown indoors as a houseplant, or in temperate zones as an outdoor perennial.  Favorable growing conditions include plenty of light, but limited direct sun.  The leaves may tend to droop when placed in a low-light setting.

Aloe vera is grown by many for the gel in the leaves.  It can be used in desserts, yogurt, and beverages.  It is also grown for medicinal purposes.  Its soothing, moisturizing, and cooling properties are often used to treat superficial burns and sunburn. The plants' gel treats the burn and provides some pain relief.  It can also be used during outbreaks of acne, many over-the-counter acne medications list aloe as an ingredient.

Its best-growing conditions include dry conditions and full sun to very bright indirect light; this plant needs bright light to flower. When placed in front of a window, rotate periodically to ensure that all sides of the plant receive adequate light. It is best planted in cactus potting soil or typical potting soil with perlite or sand added.  Allow the soil to completely dry between waterings. The pot used should also have adequate drainage provided.  Water less frequently in the winter months.

Periodically check to see that the plant's roots are not becoming root-bound.  Repot plants when obvious that the roots are becoming too much for their existing pot.  Being a bit pot-bound will not affect the plants' health. Shoots can be divided from the mother plant and repotted. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Mealybugs and aphids are insects that may affect the health of your aloe plant. Diseases include scale, leaf spot, aloe rust, and sooty mold.  Overwatering should be avoided, it can lead to the roots rotting.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Aloe.

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Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#red flowers#yellow flowers#fleshy leaves#medicinal#orange flowers#interiorscape#tropical herbaceous perennial#herbaceous perennial#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#red flowers#yellow flowers#fleshy leaves#medicinal#orange flowers#interiorscape#tropical herbaceous perennial#herbaceous perennial#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aloe
    Species:
    vera
    Family:
    Asphodelaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Has been used for centuries topically for cuts, sunburns, and other skin problems. Cut away the outer part of the leave and use only the gel. Test a small patch of skin first.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Oman
    Distribution:
    Algeria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Italy, Jamaica, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Portugal , Puerto Rico, Queensland, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, United States, and Yemen
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Textural
    Edibility:
    Causes low toxicity if eaten. Used medicinally and in drinks when properly prepared.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are red or yellow-orange in terminal, elongated clusters. Densely packed pendulous flowers on a spike reaching nearly 3' in height. Flowers only appear on mature plants but will bloom multiple times in the plant's lifetime.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Perennial herb with thick, succulent, pointed, basal leaves with a margin of small white teeth. The leaves may grow up to 18" in length. They are soft and easy to break, containing a gel-like sap within.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Short stout stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Poisonous part: Sap of leaves. Poisonous through ingestion or dermatitis. Symptoms may include: Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, red urine; skin irritation from latex.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Anthraquinone glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves