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How to Grow Aloe Plants - Care and Maintenance


Ahhh, aloe! It's cool. It's soothing. It moisturizes. You will find it in topical medicines, lotions a soaps, and more. But, where does it come from? Why, the Aloe plant, of course!

Native to Africa, there are hundreds of varieties of Aloe plants. What variety is best known?  ......... Aloe Vera. Depending upon variety, Aloe plants can grow as small as an inch. The most common indoor varieties grow several inches to a foot tall.

Aloe plants are often grown as indoor houseplants. They are easy to grow, yet slow growing. They look great in containers by themselves, or mixed in with other houseplants. The thick, heavy leaves are filled with sap.

And yes, you can use the  soothing aloe sap (aloe oil or juice) in them. 

Did you Know? The sap from some aloe plants is edible. It is used in teas and beverages. However, some aloe varieties should be considered poisonous. Do not use the sap for internal consumption, if you do not know which ones can be consumed internally.


Propagating Aloe:

Aloe is propagated by offshoots from the mother plant.  Simply remove baby plants, and repot. This is by far, the most common way to propagate aloe.

The seeds from flowers can also be harvested for propagation.


How to Grow Aloe Plants:

As an indoor houseplant, Aloe pant care is a cinch.

Select a pot or container that fits your room decor. It should have holes in the bottom for good drainage.

Aloe prefers full sun, but will tolerate a light shade.

Plant roots spread wide, but are shallow in the soil. Water thoroughly. Then, allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Our only complaint about this great plant, is it can become top heavy and fall over, uprooting itself from the soil.

Fertilize once a month for best growth. Or, use fertilizer spikes.

If you are going to grow Aloe outdoors, treat it as an annual. It will succumb to frost and freeze. Protect it, or bring it indoors in cold weather.


Medicinal Uses of Aloe:

The medicinal benefits of Aloe have been known for ages. They include treatment for:

  • burns
  • rashes
  • itchy skin
  • Poison ivy
  • dry, cracking skin
  • moisturizing skin

Harvest aloe for use, by removing a large stem or stalk with a sharp knife. Then, squeeze out the sap.


Houseplant Fertilizer Spikes

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