Description
Aloe vera grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.
Constituents:
- Aloe barbadensis vera - Succulent Plant- 1
- 3 inch (8 cm) Grower Round Plastic Pot (Black)- 1
- 3.3 inch (8 cm) Square Plastic Planter with Rounded Edges (Blue)- 1
The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. Extracts from Aloe vera are widely used in the cosmetics and alternative medicine industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing, or soothing properties.
There is, however, little scientific evidence of the effectiveness or safety of Aloe vera extracts for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes. Aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as a skin treatment. In Ayurvedic medicine it is called kathalai.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | In Ayurvedic medicine it is called kathalai. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 1-3 feet. |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow houseplant. |
Planting and care
Aloe barbadensis vera care
The first step in aloe vera plant care is to realize that this plant is a succulent. Like cacti, succulents do best in dry conditions.
Also, make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.
| Sunlight | Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in south- or west-facing windows. |
| Watering | Water the plant properly. The soil of the aloe vera plant should be allowed to go completely dry before being watered. When the aloe plant is watered, the soil should be thoroughly drenched, but the water should be allowed to drain freely from the soil. |
| Soil | When growing aloe vera plants, plant them in a cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting soil that has been amended with additional perlite or building sand. |
| Temperature | Warm weather |
| Fertilizer | You can fertilize your aloe vera plant, but aloes do not need to be fertilized. If you decide to add fertilizing to part of your aloe vera plant care routine, aloe vera plants should be fertilized once a year in the spring. You can use a phosphorus-heavy water-based fertilizer at half strength. |
Aloe barbadensis vera uses
Ornamental Use:
- Aloe vera extracts for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes
Medicinal Use:
- 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
- The sap of the Aloe is a thick, mucilaginous gel
- It is this gel which is used medicinally