Medicine Plant Aloe vera
Other Common Name(s):
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
