Aloe
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-oh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Aloe is a genius with over 500 species of perennial succulent flowering herbs. The most widely know one is Aloe vera from which various pharmaceutical products are made. Most species have thick succulent leaves growing in a rosette and reproduce by offsets. They vary in size from small up to tree forms. Tubular flowers are usually densely clustered along leafless stems in various colors.
Many are ornamental and are cultivated as house plants. If growing indoors, place in a south or west window. Most varieties need at least 6 hours of sun. If moving your plant outdoors in the summer, gradually acclimate it to partial sun conditions. Allow the soil to dry between watering, then water well, allowing the water to drain from the pot. Use a potting soil appropriate for succulents and cacti and plant in a pot with several drainage holes. Clay pots are ideal.
Aloes are an easy to grow houseplant requiring little maintenance.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aloe
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The gel from the plant is used in various skin and hair care products. It is also used in herbal medice.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
- Edibility:
- A Juice is made after the aloin has been removed.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are tubular, pendant and borne in dense clusters at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. May take several years before blooming.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Thick, succulent, pointed, basal leaves with teeth at the margins that are green to gray and may have strips or mottling. Size varies by species.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous through ingestion or dermatitis. Not all people have sensitive skin. Symptoms may include: Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, red urine; skin irritation from latex.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Anthraquinone glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
