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Aloes

Aloe

Aloes
Photo: Ton Rulkens from Mozambique, CC BY-SA 2.0

Aloe is a genus of about 594 species of succulent plants, with rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves, grown widely as ornamentals and in some cases for skin gel. The key to growing them is bright light and well-drained soil that dries out between waterings.

Family
Asphodelaceae (Aloe family)
Grows as
Succulent
Light
Full sun, Bright indirect
Water
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out fully before watering again; reduce water in winter.
Soil
Fast-draining cactus or succulent mix with grit or perlite.
Temperature
18-30 °C; protect below 10 °C
How easy
Easy
Safety
Mildly toxic: The yellow latex just under the leaf skin contains anthraquinones that can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea if swallowed; the clear gel is generally milder.

About

Aloe ( also written aloë) is a genus containing 594 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or "true aloe", which is cultivated as a source for topical uses and dietary supplements. Other species, such as Aloe ferox, are also cultivated or harvested from the wild for similar applications.

The APG IV system (2016) places the genus in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae. Within the subfamily, it may be placed in the tribe Aloeae. In the past, it has been assigned to the family Aloaceae (now included in the Asphodeloidae) or to a broadly circumscribed family Liliaceae (the lily family). The plant Agave americana, which is sometimes called "American aloe", belongs to the Asparagaceae, a different family.

Uses

Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Aloe vera is used both internally and externally as folk or alternative medicine. The plants can also be made into soaps or other skin care products.

Other Aloe plants

Aloe aaata · Aloe aageodonta · Aloe abyssicola · Tent Cent Aloe · Spotted Aloe · African Aloe · White Grass Aloe · Aloe albiflora · Aldabra Aloe · Aloe ambigens · Aloe andongensis · Wylliespoort Aloe

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Aloe by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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