Botanico

Plant profile

Aloe vera

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.

Family: Asphodelaceae · Genus: Aloe

Photo of Aloe vera
Image: Forest & Kim Starr. License: CC BY 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Medicinal succulent with fleshy leaves. Little water, lots of light, free-draining mix.

From Wikipedia

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

Aloe vera — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.

Open-data facts

Life form
Perennial succulent: less watering and plenty of light usually go hand in hand.
Climate
Adapted to desert or dry shrubland climates.
Origin / area
The typical geographical origin is: Northern Oman (Hajar Mountains).
Native distribution
The plant originates from these areas: Oman, Arabian Peninsula, Temperate Asia.
Documented uses
Medicines · Materials · Environmental · ornamental

Traits (USDA)

Botanical group
It's a monocot: the flowers usually have parts in multiples of three.
Duration
It has a perennial cycle: it grows, rests, and re-sprouts in the following seasons.
Growth habit
Growth form: herbaceous (not typical grass or shrub).

Recommended products for Aloe vera

    Ecological interactions

    • Hosts these species:

      Phomopsis sp., Uromyces aloes, Physarum pusillum, Phoma, Macrophoma, Spegazzinia deightonii, Alternaria, Didymellaceae…

    • They consume it:

      Apis mellifera, Philaenus spumarius, Trigona spinipes, Icterus cucullatus, Anthracothorax dominicus, Polybia plebeja, Frieseomelitta nigra, Leptocoma zeylonica…

    Basic care

    Watering
    Water only when the pot feels light and the soil is dry.
    Light
    Without enough light it weakens and loses vigour.
    Temperature
    If temperatures plunge, move it somewhere more sheltered.
    Humidity
    Don’t park it where condensation is constant.

    Pet toxicity

    Leaves and stems are not for pets to play with or eat.

    Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).

    Sources