Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)

Aloe, Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Medicine Plant, True Aloe

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Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed, and is considered an invasive species in many world regions.

An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but also grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. It is cultivated for commercial products, mainly as a topical treatment used over centuries. The species is attractive for decorative purposes, and succeeds indoors as a potted plant.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed plant growing to 60–100 centimeters (24–39 inches) tall, spreading by offsets.

Leaves

The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth.

Aloe vera leaves contain phytochemicals under study for possible bioactivity, such as lignans, phytosterols, polyphenols, acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinones C-glycosides, anthrones, and other anthraquinones, such as emodin and various lectins.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)

Flowers

The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long.

Roots

Like other Aloe species, Aloe vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a root symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients from the soil.

Aloe vera is considered to be native only to the south-east Arabian Peninsula in the Hajar Mountains in north-eastern Oman and eastern U.A.E. However, it has been widely cultivated around the world, and has become naturalized in North Africa, as well as Sudan and neighboring countries, along with the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands. It has also naturalized in the Algarve region of Portugal, and in wild areas across Spain, especially in the region of Murcia.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Aloe Vera needs bright, natural light in order to thrive. Outdoors, aim for up to six hours of full sun, with a small shade reprieve in the afternoon. When grown inside, aloe should be placed in a window with bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun can burn its tender skin, yet lack of light will cause the plant to grow leggy and weaken its leaves, causing them to crease.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)
Aloe vera en cerro Santa Lucía
Rjcastillo
CC BY-SA 4.0

Temperature and Humidity

Aloe grows naturally in arid, tropical, and semi-tropical environments, so mimicking these conditions will allow it to thrive. Aim for a temperature between 55 and 85 F (most indoor environments can achieve this) and don’t leave your container plant outdoors if nights are forecasted to dip below 40 F. Aloe cannot tolerate frost, but a few alpine varieties can withstand occasional temperatures near freezing.

Aloe can handle dry air just fine and does not require extra humidity. Forty percent relative humidity is perfect.

Watering

Aloe prefers to be watered regularly, as long as the soil dries out completely in between waterings. If the soil remains dry for long periods of time, the leaves will shrivel and pucker slightly. The plant will recover when watered, however, extended periods of stress—either prolonged drought or too much water—will make the leaves turn yellow and die. Do not water outdoor plants during periods of rain.

Aloe vera goes dormant in the winter and won’t require any water at all, provided it received sufficient water during its growing season. If your climate is rainy during the winter, consider planting aloe in gravel or stones. This will allow the water to run off and prevent rot.

Soil

In its natural habitat, aloe vera commonly grows in nutrient-poor soil conditions, on sandy slopes with guaranteed drainage. Ensure proper drainage in a pot by using a cactus potting medium or traditional potting soil mixed with perlite and coarse sand. Aloe prefers its soil slightly acidic, hovering around 6.0, but it is highly adaptable and can also grow in neutral or alkaline soils, as well.

Fertilizing

Aloe vera grows best in poor soil conditions (this plant has adapted to nutritionally poor desert soil) and does not require any fertilization at all. That said, feeding potted aloe once a year each spring may help maintain vibrant growth. A liquid 10-40-10 houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, works best for an annual feeding. Outdoors, aloe usually thrives without any fertilization.

Pruning

Aloe vera needs pruning only if the leaves are shriveled and dead. You can also prune those damaged by environmental factors. If the outer leaves of your aloe vera plant go brown at the tips, cut them back, as well. To do so, use clean garden shears and either cut off only the affected tip, or prune the entire leaf altogether at its base. Pruning leaves at the base—either dead or alive—will encourage new growth while also making the plant aesthetically pleasing. Never cut an aloe leaf in its center.

Propagation

Aloe vera is best propagated by replanting the offsets (the pups) that develop at the base of the plant. Mature plants will often produce many pups, making it easy for you to relocate them to other pots or parts of the garden, or you can gift them to friends.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)
Aloe vera Aloes zwyczajny 2023-10-31 04
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
CC BY-SA 4.0

Here’s how to propagate aloe vera from pups:

  • Gather gloves, a trowel, a pot, and a cactus potting medium.
  • Put on your gloves and fill the pot with a potting mix.
  • Locate the pups at the base of the mother plant. Using a trowel, pry up a pup and sever the taproot that connects it to the mother. (Some pups may have more extensive root systems than others. Some may have no roots at all. All will grow fine, either way.)
  • Lay the pup flat and dry it in a sunny window for a few days to allow any broken cuts to callus over.
  • Plant the pup in the pot, taking care to cover any roots. Backfill the soil just below the main crown (where the leaves fan out).
  • Water the plant and place it in a sunny window. It may take three to four months to grow roots. Be patient.

Repotting

It’s important to repot aloe vera plants when they’ve outgrown their pots. Upsizing the plant can prevent stunted leaf growth and wilting leaves. According to Home for the Harvest, it’s recommended to repot your aloe plants in the spring while they’re actively growing. Follow our steps below (and watch our step-by-step video for visuals):

  • Choose a pot that’s heavy enough to support your succulent and drains well.
  • Water your plant 24 hours before starting. If your aloe looks overwatered (withering leaves), you can skip this step.
  • Gently remove your aloe plant from its pot. If the roots get caught, slowly cut them.
  • Place your plant in its new pot with a good-quality potting mix. Don’t add too much soil, as the roots need breathing space.
  • Water immediately after repotting.

Pests and Diseases

Aloe vera may fall victim to mealybugs, aloe scale, and aloe mites. Mealybugs congregate at the base of the plant where they secrete a sticky substance that provides an environment for mold to move in. Scale seldom kills the plant, but creates unsightly grey ridges on the leaves. Mites can go unnoticed until cancerous galls form as a result of their feeding.

Wipe mealybugs away with a soft cloth, after spraying the plant with water. Scale can be eradicated by whipping up a solution of 1 tablespoon insecticidal soap, 1 cup isopropyl alcohol, and 1 cup of water. Spray scale-infected leaves with this solution every three days for 14 days. For mites, prune the infected tissue to keep this plant, and any others around it, safe from harm.

Cool temperatures and high humidity can bring on a bout of aloe rust, a fungal disease that presents as yellow spots on the leaves which eventually expand and turn brown. This disease is self-limiting and usually doesn’t require treatment. Bacterial soft rot can also move in and is a fatal disease. There is no treatment for this, but prevention starts by not overwatering.

III. How to Get Aloe Vera to Flower

Mature aloe vera plants occasionally produce a tall flower spike—called an inflorescence—from which dozens of tubular yellow or red blossoms appear. This certainly adds another level of interest to the already lovely aloe!

Unfortunately, a bloom is rarely achievable with aloes that are kept as houseplants since the plant requires nearly ideal conditions to produce flowers: lots of light, sufficient water, and the right temperature range. Due to these requirements (mainly lighting), aloe flowers are usually only seen on plants grown outdoors year-round in warm climates.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)
Aloe vera Aloes zwyczajny 2023-10-31 02
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
CC BY-SA 4.0

To give your aloe the best shot at flowering:

  • Provide it with as much light as possible, especially during spring and summer. Aloes can be kept outdoors in full sun during the summer when temperatures are above 70°F (21°C). Bring the aloe inside if nighttime temps threaten to drop below 60°F (16°C).

Note: Don’t move your aloe from indoors to full sun right away; it needs time to adjust to the intense light, or it may cause sunburn. Allow it to sit in partial shade for about a week before moving it to a brighter location.

  • Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of water—enough to keep it from drying out completely but not enough to drown it! If the plant’s being kept outdoors, make sure that it’s not getting consistently soaked by summer rains.
  • Give your aloe a proper dormancy period in the fall and winter. Aloe tends to bloom in late winter or early spring, so giving them a period of rest consisting of less frequent watering and cooler temperatures may encourage them to flower.
  • Don’t be surprised if it still doesn’t flower. Despite our best efforts, indoor conditions just aren’t ideal for most aloes, so don’t be surprised if yours simply refuses to bloom!

IV. Uses and Benefits

Two substances from Aloe vera – a clear gel and its yellow latex – are used to manufacture commercial products. Aloe gel typically is used to make topical medications for skin conditions, such as burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, or dry skin. Aloe latex is used individually or manufactured as a product with other ingredients to be ingested for relief of constipation. Aloe latex may be obtained in a dried form called resin or as “aloe dried juice”.

There is conflicting evidence regarding whether Aloe vera is effective as a treatment for wounds or burns. There is some evidence that topical use of aloe products might relieve symptoms of certain skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne, or rashes, but topical application may cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Aloe vera gel is used commercially as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages, and some desserts, but at high or prolonged doses, ingesting aloe latex or whole leaf extract can be toxic. Use of topical aloe vera in small amounts is likely to be safe.

  • Topical medication and potential side effects

Aloe vera may be prepared as a lotion, gel, soap or cosmetics product for use on skin as a topical medication. For people with allergies to Aloe vera, skin reactions may include contact dermatitis with mild redness and itching, difficulty with breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

  • Dietary supplement

Aloin, a compound found in the semi-liquid latex of some Aloe species, was the common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products in the United States until 2002 when the Food and Drug Administration banned it because manufacturers failed to provide the necessary safety data. Aloe vera has potential toxicity, with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested and when applied topically. Although toxicity may be less when aloin is removed by processing, Aloe vera ingested in high amounts may induce side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or hepatitis. Chronic ingestion of aloe (dose of 1 gram per day) may cause adverse effects, including hematuria, weight loss, and cardiac or kidney disorders.

Aloe vera juice is marketed to support the health of the digestive system, but there is neither scientific evidence nor regulatory approval for this claim. The extracts and quantities typically used for such purposes are associated with toxicity in a dose-dependent way.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)
Aloe vera Aloes zwyczajny 2023-10-31 01
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Traditional medicine

Aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as a skin treatment. Early records of its use appear from the fourth millennium BCE. It is also written of in the Juliana Anicia Codex of 512 CE.

  • Commodities

Aloe vera is used on facial tissues where it is promoted as a moisturizer and anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose. Cosmetic companies commonly add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, shaving cream, or shampoos. A review of academic literature notes that its inclusion in many hygiene products is due to its “moisturizing emollient effect”.

IV. Harvesting

Aloe Vera Gel

To make use of the aloe vera plant’s soothing properties, remove a mature leaf from the plant and cut it lengthwise. Squeeze the gel out of the leaf and apply it to your burn, or lay the opened leaf gel side–down on the affected area. Learn more about aloe vera’s healing properties.

Do not ingest the gel, as it can cause nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe) Details

Common name

Aloe, Aloe Vera, Barbados Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Medicine Plant, True Aloe

Botanical name

Aloe vera

Family

Asphodelaceae, Asphodelaceae

Genus

Aloe

Species

vera, vera

Origin

Tropical, Mediterranean, Tropical, Mediterranean

Life cycle

Plant type

Hardiness zone

,

Sunlight

Maintenance

Soil condition

Drainage

Growth rate

Spacing

12 in. – 3 ft., 12 in. – 3 ft.

Flowering period

Height

1 ft. – 2 ft., 1 ft. – 2 ft.

Width

1 ft. – 2 ft., 1 ft. – 2 ft.

Flower color

,

Leaf color

Leaf benefit

Flower benefit

Garden style

Uses

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