How to grow Aloe Vera

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a succulent, and as such, stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering.

Grow in a mixture of loam-based John Innes No 2 compost with additional sand or perlite for increased drainage. Apply a balanced liquid feed during the growing season and reduce watering in the winter.

Growing Aloe vera from seed

Aloes are propagated by removing the offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are a couple inches tall (or larger).

Transplanting Aloe vera

In cold climates it can be grown as a house plant year round, or grown in a container and moved indoors in the winter. For indoor growth choose a pot that is wider then it is deep as aloe has shallow root system.5

As Aloe vera is hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting Aloe vera

Break off a leaf tip and squish out gel directly on burns, sunburn, insect bites, and as facial. (Smells odd.) Does not work on radiation burns.3

Seed Saving Aloe vera

Because Aloe Vera is most commonly and easily propegated from cuttings, the instructions to propegate an Aloe Vera cutting follow:

To take offsets (pups): remove offsets from mother plant when they reach 4" – 5" in height. Do thi by gently lifting and removing them from the soil (they are easy to coax out). Let the offsets sit over night to allow them to callus over. Put 1/3 of the offset in soil and do not water heavily (transplant in dry soil, if at all possible); mist plants to keep them moist instead. Roots should begin growing within 1 month. You may water your Aloe Vera plant when you begin to see new growth. 1

How long does Aloe vera take to grow?

These estimates for how long Aloe vera takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Aloe vera Etymology

The name is derived from the Arabic, Alloch, and translated as Allal in Greek and Hebrew, meaning bitter or bitter sap which describes aloe sap.

Aloes get their name from the Arabic word Alloeh 6 which means “shining bitter substance”.7

Aloe vera Folklore & Trivia

The medicinal properties of Aloe vera have been known, and recorded since biblical times. It has been used for a variety of ailments, and as an ointment for burns, cuts, and rashes, as well as an ingredient in various beauty preparations.3

The sap of the Aloe is a thick, mucilaginous gel.

In Egypt (possibly originated there), aloe was sometimes left as a burial gift.3

Other names for Aloe vera

Aloe, Medicinal aloe, Chinese aloe, Indian aloe, True aloe, Barbados aloe or burn aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall,

Aloe barbadensis officinali, Aloe vulgaris, A. vulgaris Lam, A. barbadensis Mill, Aloe perfoliata

Misspellings: alow

Footnotes

1 Aloe Vera Plants: Growing, Caring For, and Dividing

2 :The South African Gardener’s Survival Manual, by Ann Bonar; First published 1985

3 :Aloe Vera: Science and Safety plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall

4 RHS Plant Selector

5 Ask-How to take care of an Aloe Vera house plant

6 “The South African Gardeners Survival Manual, by Ann Bonar; First published 1985”

7 Aloe Vera


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