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.
• Native to SW Arabian Peninsula