Project Description
Aloe vera
Medicinal Aloe, Barbados Aloe
This succulent is well-known for its medicinal properties. It is bright green with light spots, and has small spikes on the outer edges of the leaves.
Considered synonymous with Aloe barbadensis.
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial shade
Can be grown indoors if given enough light
Typical water needs for a succulent
Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) wide
Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by offsets
Generally non-toxic to humans.
Can be toxic to animals.
Summer Dormant
Also available from Etsy.
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How to care for Aloe vera
General Care for Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the most common succulents. Chances are you have one in your kitchen, or have seen them in your friend’s homes. Many people do not realize that it is a succulent.
Watering
Aloe vera tends to need a bit less water than other succulents. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Aloe vera is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If planting indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere).
Pairs Well With
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How to Propagate Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a prolific propagator, growing many offsets. While you may think that you should be able to propagate Aloe vera from leaves, this is not the case, and you may find your leaves rotting.
Offsets
Aloe vera will produce small offsets, sprouting up around the base of the plant. Simply pull these up and allow the offsets to dry for one to two days before replanting.
Uses
Aloe vera can be used in many different ways. For minor burns or cuts, you can cut or break off a leaf and squeeze out the gel inside, rubbing it on the affected area.
Aloe vera juice contains many vitamins and minerals, which aid in digestion and help support the immune system.
Note: Always consult a physician before ingesting any plants. While Aloe vera is generally considered non-toxic, some people may experience adverse reactions. See more about poisonous succulents here.
Commonly Asked Questions
Question
I bought this Aloe Vera several months ago, and it’s been gradually getting worse since I got it. It looks like it needs more water to me, but it doesn’t perk up at all after I water it. I have some different Aloe Vera in another room that are doing fine, so I moved this one into the room with those. It hasn’t helped at all. What can I do?
Answer
Aloe Vera grow in cooler temperatures, so if you’re in the winter right now, it will likely be growing. Since it’s indoors, there’s a couple possibilities it is looking this way.
The first is the lack of sun. Do you have it near a South or East-facing window? Aloes thrive in morning sun, and if it’s not getting much, it can begin to lose its color. A grow light can be really handy for winter months like these, where you have to keep your plants indoors.
Be sure that your plant is in well-draining soil; you want the soil to drain quickly after you water your plant. Color changes in succulents are often a sign that they need more water, or are getting too much. If the leaves are dull and limp, it’s a sign it needs more water.
When watering, remember be sure to completely soak the soil until water runs out the bottom of your planter, and then let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
It’s important to remember that when making any adjustments gradual changes are best. You won’t see an immediate change and that’s ok. Keep at it and you should see an improvement soon!
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Need help on getting a good indoor light for a two foot table.
There’s a great website called Epic Gardening that has lots of good information about different types of grow lights and what’s best for your situation.
I have got a very large old aloe. Large piece size of my finger, broke off and has several leaves. I tried putting in water but end got soft. Took out, leaves are strong good color. Anyway to save this?
Unfortunately, Aloe vera propagates from offsets, not from its leaves. You can save and use the broken piece for burns, but planting it or trying to water propagate it will not work for this type of succulent.
Hi there. Good publishing actually. I must state I found something very useful for myself.
I wish it’s more. İ am grateful.
Can anyone advise me on what to do with my aloe? She’s about 10 years old, grown from a tiny baby, now about 60cm across, with several stems growing in a spiral pattern. The longest stem is now about 90cm. She’s happy and healthy and the stems are covered in leaves right back to the base but they are so heavy that they are just growing along the floor: they can’t support their weight once they get longer than about 15cm. Their diameter is around 2cm. I can’t move her (because the stems all need supporting) and I don’t want the leaves to get damaged by the carpet. I can’t work out how to include a photo, sorry
We’d love to help more! It would be helpful to have a photo to help with this. You can post a photo to our Facebook Group to get feedback from the community, or join the Successfully Growing Succulents Course to get Cassidy’s 1-on-1 help. Thanks!
Very good written article. It will be useful to everyone who employess it, as well as myself.
Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
My Aloe vera is very light greenish grey in color and has some leaves that are dried up at the ends with a reddish brown tint. I inherited it like this. Is there any way I can save it? For the last month and a half, I have kept it outside my house in South Jersey on a covered porch that gets about 3-5 hours of full sun and indirect light about 7 hours a day. I tried the soak method last week, but I’m not sure how long to wait in between waterings. From reading your care instructions it sounds like it hasn’t had enough full sunlight, but I’ve also read that the reddish-brown and dried tips could be a sign of sun burn from too much sun light. Please help.
It sounds like it’s had a bit too much light. It still needs bright sunlight, but placing it in a bright window in your home should help it recover. You’ll want to water whenever the soil is completely dry (you can see the instructions for that in this post).
Good luck!