Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis
Aloe vera plant is known for the healing properties of its sap. Also called Burn Plant or Medicine Plant, many people use the gel-like liquid from a broken leaf to soothe minor burns and abrasions.
Sap from a snapped-off leaf has restorative properties that can be applied directly to skin. Aloe vera plant's sap is commonly used in medicines, lotions and cosmetics around the world.
Aloe vera plants are hardy, slow-growing succulents that grow in rosettes of plump, upward-curving green leaves. Aloe vera leaves are faintly spotted and edged with soft teeth.
Plants grown outdoors often bloom in spring with yellow, tubular flowers carried on tall flower spikes. However, it rarely blooms indoors.
Aloe is easy to grow and fairly trouble-free.
Don't let it burn. If you move your plant outdoors for the summer, make the move a gradual one. Ironically, aloe vera plant sunburns easily if it is suddenly exposed to full sun, which shows as brown or gray scorched spots on leaves.
Watch for pests. Check your aloe vera plant once in a while for scale insects and mealybugs that may infest this plant. Treat any infestation for these house plant pests immediately.
Repot crowded plants. Repot young plants in spring when they are outgrowing their pots. These types of succulents freely produces offsets. You can keep plants from getting overcrowded by propagating offsets as they begin to form rosettes.
Brown leaf tips on aloe vera plant usually indicate that it's not getting enough water. Water the plant thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain.
Black spots on leaves are often due to overwatering. Do not allow water to collect in the rosettes of leaves, which causes the plant to rot.
You'll find aloe vera plants for sale under the common name or scientific name, Aloe barbadensis. This popular succulent is easy to find in many garden centers year-round and online.
Origin: Northeast Africa
Height: 1-2 ft (30-60 cm)
Light: Bright light, with some direct sun in winter. Keep aloe vera out of hot, direct sunlight in summer, which can scorch its leaves.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall, slightly drier in winter. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely. When aloe vera is too dry the leaves will wrinkle.
Humidity: Average (around 40% relative humidity) to dry room humidity.
Temperature: Average room temperatures (65-75°F/18-24°C) year-round. If you move aloe vera outdoors for the summer, don't worry -- it can take the heat.
Soil: Cactus potting mix is ideal because it is fast-draining. Or add 1 part horticultural sand with 2 parts all-purpose potting mix.
Fertilizer: Spring through fall, feed monthly with a 2-7-7 succulent plant fertilizer.
Propagation: Cut off new offsets in spring or early summer. Allow the cut portion to dry for a day or two to prevent the sap from oozing, then pot it in barely moist sandy potting mix.