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Photo by Friends School Plant Sale

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Aloe vera

Also Known As

Aloe barbadensis
Aloe indica
Aloe Vera
Barbados Aloe
Burn Aloe
Chinese Aloe
First Aid Plant
Indian Aloe
Medicinal Aloe
True Aloe

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 12"-18"
W: 12"-18"

planting zones

9a-12

More Options

Aloe vera plant details

Aloe vera is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Does well in acidic, average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aloe vera

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, houseplant, medicinal

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aloe vera

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Tender. Slender green foliage /spines on the edge

By: Little Prince of Oregon

The ultimate medicinal aloe. This aloe has a high gel content in each leaf. Grows up to 2 feet and makes huge, thick leaves. Offsets regularly. Tall spikes of yellow flowers.

By: Paradise Found Nursery

Full Sun to Light Shade. Outdoor/Indoor. Real aloe Vera has Yellow Flowers, but many clones have Orange..

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Aloe is used widely to relieve the pain and suffering from skin burns, insect bites, etc. It is a succulent-like plant with many slender, tapered leaves growing upward. It is the gel inside the leaves that is used. It makes a wonderful houseplant serving two purposes. Let dry between waterings.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

This famed healing plant is often used to promote the rapid healing of burns, cuts, scrapes, stings, etc... A clump forming succulent producing a rosette of thick fleshy gray spotting green leaves that may be topped by spikes of tubular yellow flowers. Multiplies readily. Juvenile aloe leaves can be used medicinally.

By: Almost Eden

Garden photo gallery of Aloe vera

Photo of Aloe vera foliage by Friends School Plant Sale

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By: Friends School Plant Sale

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

By: Almost Eden

By: Danger Garden

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Karl Gercens III

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

By: Alan Lorence

By: Paradise Found Nursery

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By: Paradise Found Nursery

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Photo of Aloe vera foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

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By: Little Prince of Oregon

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Gardening facts about Aloe vera plant

How to Grow Aloe vera

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly shade
Water Needs
- occasional - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in winter
Soil Needs
- acidic
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- rocky
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- seaside / salt tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- yellow
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- evergreen