Aloe Vera

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Plant Profile

Aloe Vera

About

Aloe vera is a beautiful succulent that can add charm and life to your garden. They have an attractive appearance with their long spikes covered by sharp thorns and bright green leaves that can vary in color from blueish-green to yellow-green depending on the variety.

  • Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis
  • Common Name: Aloe Vera
  • Critters: Not consumed by animals due to the bitter taste.
  • Family: Asphodelaceae
  • Germination: 14 to 28 days
  • Hardiness: Drought-resistant
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Medicinal: Yes
  • Sunlight: Shade to full sun
  • Non-GMO
  • Plant Food: FoxFarm Big Bloom for Organic Gardening
  • Roots: Water must flow away from the plant.
  • Zones: 9 to 10

Companion Plants

Aloe vera is not very picky about where you place it as long as it has good drainage. These plants are easy to grow and maintain, even in a pot or a garden container.30

Harvesting Information

Aloe vera can be easily harvested from plants that have been growing for about 2-3 years in well drained soil, although some people say they start getting juice at around 18 months.

To do this, you just need to cut the leaf off with a sharp knife and squeeze out its clear gel which is thick enough so it won't come out too quickly or easily. You can also use your fingers by pinching from both ends of the aloe plant. Aloe plants have lots of juice in them!30

Recipes

Selection & Storage

Keep gel in a cool dry place or at room temperature.

Usage Tips

Health Benefits

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a succulent plant that has been used for thousands of years as traditional medicine. Its leaves contain more than 75 potentially active ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, anthraquinones, glycoproteins, lignin, amino acids, salicylic acid, sterols, terpenoids, and hormone.

As an herbal remedy, it has been used to treat wounds, skin diseases, digestive problems, and cancer. It is also a popular ingredient in shampoos and cosmetics due to its moisturizing properties.

Aloe vera contains antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals - unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage to proteins, DNA, fats, enzymes, or carbohydrates, leading to chronic conditions such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease, as well as accelerating the aging process. Free radicals are also linked with cancer and other diseases caused by oxidative stress on our cells. The antioxidants in aloe vera may help prevent or delay these health problems. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.30

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