Aloe is a genus with over 500 species of succulent plants in the family Asphodelaceae. They are native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean.
Most species are stemless and have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. Other species may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves arise. Some Aloes are tall, single-stemmed or branched trees. The leaves vary in color from grey to bright green. They are sometimes striped or mottled. Flowers are tubular, yellow, orange, pink, or red and grouped in candle-like or cone-shaped inflorescences, which can be branched or simple.
The generic name "Aloe" derives from the Greek "alsos" or the Arabic "alloeh" or the Hebrew "allal," all three meaning "bitter," and refers to the bitter sap of the leaves.
Aloe plants are one of the longest-recorded herbal medicines in human history. They are amongst the most widely used plants for traditional medicinal purposes worldwide. Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens, and Aloe ferox are the best-known and most commonly used for their therapeutic properties.
Growing Conditions for Aloe
Aloes are frequently grown as ornamental plants both in pots and in gardens.
Light
When growing Aloes indoors, place your plants near a window that gets plenty of bright indirect light. To keep your Aloes looking green, avoid exposing them to direct sun, which can cause leaves to brown. Rotate the pots once or twice a week so that all sides of the plants receive equal lighting. Rotating your Aloe also helps balance out the plant's look, as leaves tend to grow toward the sunlight.
Outdoors provide light shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day. An excellent spot for growing Aloe outdoors is on a covered patio or porch.
Soil
Plant Aloes in a well-drained soil mix specially formulated for succulents, or make your own. Drainage is essential because too much moisture around roots can cause root rot.
Temperature
Aloes grow at their best in temperatures between 50 to 85 °F (10 to 30 °C). When temperatures shift below 50 °F (10 °C), it is time to bring your plants back inside. Maintain a room temperature above 60 °F (15 °C) and not expose the plants to temperatures below freezing. Some Aloes are cold hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 10a, 30 °F (-1.1 °C). Once the threat of frost has passed, move them back outside in the spring.
Pot Size
Plant your Aloe in a pot containing at least one drainage hole, which is 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) larger in diameter than the base of the plant.
General Care for Aloe
Aloes can live long and thrive with very little care. These plants are great for beginners.
Watering
These succulents need regular watering but are very tolerant of drought conditions for short periods. Water deeply, but only when the soil is dry. Cut back on watering during the winter months. Overwatering is the top reason Aloe plants die. Do not let water stand in the rosettes.
Fertilizing
Aloes generally do not require fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients. Feed with a fertilizer for cacti and other succulents in spring and summer only. Be sure to follow label directions.
Repotting
These plants are not particularly fast-growing and will only rarely need repotting. Repot them in the spring in a container a few inches larger in diameter every few years to keep them from becoming rootbound. You can check if your Aloes are outgrowing their pots by carefully picking up the containers and looking at the drainage holes. When roots are growing out of the drainage hole, that is a sign that it is time to repot.
Pruning
Removing damaged and excess parts can promote health and growth in your Aloe. To prune it, you must wait until spring arrives. Wear gloves whenever you work with Aloes. Some species produce a sap that can irritate the skin.
How to Propagate Aloe
Aloes can be propagated by offsets, cuttings, or seeds from a mature plant.
Offsets
The small plants that grow at the plant's base are known as offsets, offshoots, plantlets, pups, suckers, or babies. You can remove offsets from the mother plant with a sharp knife in late spring or early summer. Plant them in well-drained soil.
Cuttings
Cuttings are a popular way of propagating tree- and shrub-like Aloes. Stem cuttings should be allowed to dry in the shade for a few days or even weeks before placing in potting soil.
Seeds
Propagating Aloe from seed is relatively easy. For best results, sow seeds during the warm months. The germination usually starts within one week of sowing. Transplant the seedlings once three true leaves have formed, generally after about a year.
Pests and Diseases of Aloe
Aloes can be susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and various forms of rot, usually caused by overwatering and inadequate drainage.
Toxicity of Aloe
Not all Aloes have medicinal properties. Some contain poisonous leaf sap, like Aloe ballyi, Aloe elata, and Aloe ruspoliana, which are used for arrow poison. Humans and animals generally avoid these species.
Links
- Back to genus Aloe
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus