Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)
Barbados Aloe, Aloe vera, Aloe perfoliata, Aloe barbadensis, Curaçao Aloe, Bitter Aloes, Medicinal Aloe
Well-known for the medicinal value of the juice of its leaves, Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming clumps of rosettes of long, fleshy, narrow, light green leaves with whitish to reddish toothed margins. The leaves turn reddish purple when the plant is under drought stress. In spring and summer, long racemes of tubular greenish-yellow flowers are borne on 3ft. (90 cm) branched inflorescences above the foliage. The plump leaves of Aloe vera contain a gummy sap that has been used for cosmetic and skin care reasons for more than 2,000 years. This plant makes a pretty focal point in sunny borders or decorative containers.
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall (30-60 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
- Easily grown in sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils in full sun or light shade. Water moderately throughout the year, but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed a balanced liquid fertilizer 2 or 3 times. Drought and salt tolerant.
- Great for beds and borders, hedges, coastal gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
- Propagation is by cuttings, seeds, or division of offsets. Divide and thin crowded clumps about every 3 to 5 years to reinvigorate.
- Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and bees
- Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects and mealybugs.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
- Native to SW Arabian Peninsula
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Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 12 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Aloes |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
luchschen / 123RF Stock Photo
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 12 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Aloes |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |