Why You Need to Grow an Aloe Vera: You Will Love This Plant
The beautiful Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that belongs to the Xanthorrhoeaceae family.
I call it the plant that everyone knows.
This beautiful succulent is so versatile that you can use it to decorate your home; it’s edible, plus it hydrates your skin and hair.
Aloe vera is an easy plant to care for since it doesn’t have great needs with a good substrate and controlled watering; the plant can grow very well.
Many people think the aloe vera is a cactus, and others just ask the question, is aloe vera a cactus? Well, let me tell you, the aloe vera is not a cactus but a succulent.
Read also:
How to save an aloe plant
How to plant aloe vera without roots
Contents
Characteristics of Aloe Vera
The Aloe is a plant with a short stem, which is covered by leaves.
The stem can measure 30 cm approximately. The leaves are 40 to 50 long by 5 to 8 cm in diameter.
The leaves are very triangular and with small teeth around the entire leaf.
Inside the Aloe vera leaves is a glutinous, water-rich tissue. This gel is the one used to make products derived from aloe vera.
This type of gel contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, which provide extensive health benefits.
Properties and Benefits of Aloe Vera
You should know the Aloe vera is not just an ornamental plant; its been used for centuries for its medicinal and therapeutic properties.
Aloe vera produces many vitamins.
One of the main benefits of aloe vera is the ability to regulate the pH of the skin.
This allows pore-clogging bacteria to be flushed out and helps remove dead cells.
It also has a soothing effect, helping to relieve redness and irritation on the skin.
This succulent has properties that stimulate the creation of collagen in the skin, which is the substance responsible for maintaining its elasticity.
These are the same properties that can be used in skincare are helpful in combating dry hair.
If you want to enjoy all the benefits of these plants, both medicinal and ornamental, I invite you to grow and propagate this succulent throughout your garden.
Aloe Vera Care
Aloe vera light requirements
The care of this plant is quite simple. This plant welcomes a good amount of sun; it can be partially shaded or in direct sun.
My recommendation is to keep it in semi-shade, if it’s always in the sun, the leaves could burn.
Aloe vera temperature tolerance
This plant does not tolerate low temperatures. The ideal temperature for this beautiful plant is between 17ºC/62°F and 27ºC/80°F.
For this reason, if you have it outside, it’s best to place it inside during winter.
Aloe vera soil requirements
The substrate should only be well-drained and aerated, with a specific commercial substrate for cacti and succulents, it will be more than enough.
Aloe vera water requirements
One of the things you should be careful with is the watering since this plant is susceptible to excess water.
If you water it twice a week in summer and twice a month in winter, it is more than enough.
Pests and diseases
The pests and diseases that can harm or attack your beautiful aloe vera are aphids, mites, whiteflies, and miller or sailor beetles.
If this happens, it is best to buy a specific insecticide for the type of pest that attacked your plant or a generic insecticide.
But in general, they are quite resistant to pests, so you don’t have to worry.
Propagation and repotting
If you want to propagate the aloe vera, what you should do is cut one of the new leaves (measuring about 20 cm), let the cut dry for 3 to 5 days, and plant it in a new pot.
You can add some compost and rooting agent to help the new plant to grow.
It’s a plant that does not need to be transplanted frequently – only when it no longer fits in the pot where you have it planted.
Aloe Vera Plant Uses
Aloe vera is a plant that is used for many things; here are some of the benefits of using this plant:
- It acts as a soothing agent, so it is highly recommended to use it on burns, stings, bumps, or after waxing.
- It contains vitamins and amino acids that contribute to wound healing.
- Remedy against blows (Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties)
- Many doctors recommend the Aloe to treat acne
- If you suffer from dry hair, the Aloe is perfect for you.
I hope this article was helpful and motivating.
I always encourage gardeners to plant Aloes, and as you can see, there are many benefits.
FAQ’s
How to identify aloe vera plant?
With the abundance of 500 different Aloe species, it is not easy to find out the real Aloe Vera. Only the real aloe, also called aloe barbadensis, contains a healing gel in its leaves from the age of four.
To recognize a real Aloe Vera, first look at the trunk. If this is very short or if the plant is even trunkless, then it could be a real aloe. As succulents, their water-storing leaves become up to 40 cm long and up to 7 cm wide. The leaves are fleshy, have a gray-green color and shine silky. They grow in the form of a rosette. From the inside, new leaves always grow, while at the edge the old leaves dry up. At the edges of the leaf grow 2 mm long, hard teeth.
In spring, Aloe Vera develops a thin inflorescence up to 60 cm long, on which a red, yellow or orange grape blossom develops. This consists of many slender tubular flowers, the delicate dust leaves hang out a little. It is noticeable that at an inflorescence there are flowering flowers, fresh flowers and buds at the same time.
How fast does aloe vera grow?
I can’t tell you how fast your aloe vera plant will grow, since it depends on many factors.
But I can tell you its growth is neither slow nor fast.
To make sure you plant growth well, provide it with the necessary care and give it a good compost in the growing season (in summer).
Does aloe vera need sun?
A fully grown aloe vera plant can withstand full sun even in midsummer. For the young plants, the freshly repotted aloes or after the hibernation, however, the following applies: first place them protected from the sun and slowly get used to the sun and bright light.
Aloe vera loves sun and warmth. A bright location is essential for the plant to thrive. It is true that the leaves of the aloe vera turn red when exposed to strong, permanent sunlight. However, this does not harm the plant. When the sun’s power subsides, Aloe vera regains its green color. However, in some situations it is advisable to protect the plants from too much sun.
Offshoots and cuttings need sun protection. The offshoots cut for propagation and the cuttings obtained from the leaves are left to dry for several hours and then placed in the containers with sandy soil. The pots are placed in a bright place, but not in direct sunlight.
After overwintering , you should slowly accustom your aloe vera to the sun and bright light. It is best to place the plant in a partially shaded place for a few days. Even the aloes bought in summer should not be put in the blazing sun immediately.
Older aloes generally tolerate more sun than younger plants. In any case, the plants standing outdoors in midsummer should be heavily watered. At the same time it must be ensured that no waterlogging occurs.
Place freshly repotted plants protected from the sun. Repotting also means stress for the robust aloe vera. It is therefore advisable not to expose the freshly repotted plant to strong sunlight immediately, but rather to place it in partial shade for a few days.
How much water does an aloe vera plant need?
The aloe vera’s root ball should always be kept moist, but avoid waterlogging. Allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering takes place.
To prevent waterlogging, the pot should have drainage so that excess water can drain away. Make sure that the water does not build up in the saucer, which means that the roots still come into contact with the moisture. It is best to put some gravel into the pot as the bottom substrate layer. A mixture of earth and sand is wonderfully permeable and serves as a substitute for conventional potting soil.
Are aloe vera plants toxic to cats?
Aloe vera is known to many people as a plant often used in ointments and potions to combat or reduce pain. In cats, however, Aloe vera can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea and anorexia. Not a cat-friendly plant!
Are aloe plants poisonous to dogs?
Aloe is one of the toxic plants for dogs. The dangerous thing about it is the sap, a yellowish latex that is under the skin of its leaves. Not to be confused with gel, which is the transparent pulp inside the leaves. If the dog accidentally ingests aloe, blisters will appear on the skin, salivate, vomit, may have diarrhea, abdominal pain, weak pulse and if the contact is eye contact, conjunctivitis.