January 03, 2022
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera comes from the dry regions of South Africa. The leaves usually grow without a stem rosette-like close to the ground, are very fleshy and have lateral thorns. Aloe vera is not only very well known as a houseplant, but also as a medicinal plant. The gel in its leaves can be used for wound healing and cosmetic purposes (as a gel against sunburn, insect bites, against skin irritations and against dry skin). If necessary, simply cut off a leaf at the stem and squeeze out the gel or scrape it out with a knife.
The location for the aloe must be bright to full sun; if there is too little light (which is the case for ""99%"" in common living rooms) the plant will become yellow with time or develop rather dune and elongated leaves; instead of growing nicely compact, it grows upwards and looks for the light source. Consequently, the aloe can be recommended for very sunny locations & spaces. Your Aloe vera when it can be located outside from about the beginning of April/May (depending on the temperatures). The plant loves sun and therefore needs a warm and sunny garden spot (protect the plant against the sun burned once taking it out after the winter time; put it rather into shade for the first 1-2weeks, till it gets used to the sun shine. In full sun, its leaves might turn brown. This is normal and serves to protect the plant against the sun. During its stay outdoors, the aloe vera should be watered vigorously from time to time. It does not like waterlogging, so you should always make sure that the excess water can drain away.
Temperature: around 25-35°C in summer, 5-10°C in winter (the plant does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures) with very little watering.
Humidity: Water sparingly, as like all succulents it stores a lot of water in its leaves. Too much water can lead to rot (especially during the winter dormancy period, when it should be overwintered in a cooler location).
Propagation: repot the numerous growing children from a size of a few centimetres.
Soil: well-drained substrate, cactus soil, possibly mixed with stones and sand.
Fertiliser: Cactus fertiliser if desired very rarely and only in summer.
The location for the aloe must be bright to full sun; if there is too little light (which is the case for ""99%"" in common living rooms) the plant will become yellow with time or develop rather dune and elongated leaves; instead of growing nicely compact, it grows upwards and looks for the light source. Consequently, the aloe can be recommended for very sunny locations & spaces. Your Aloe vera when it can be located outside from about the beginning of April/May (depending on the temperatures). The plant loves sun and therefore needs a warm and sunny garden spot (protect the plant against the sun burned once taking it out after the winter time; put it rather into shade for the first 1-2weeks, till it gets used to the sun shine. In full sun, its leaves might turn brown. This is normal and serves to protect the plant against the sun. During its stay outdoors, the aloe vera should be watered vigorously from time to time. It does not like waterlogging, so you should always make sure that the excess water can drain away.
Temperature: around 25-35°C in summer, 5-10°C in winter (the plant does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures) with very little watering.
Humidity: Water sparingly, as like all succulents it stores a lot of water in its leaves. Too much water can lead to rot (especially during the winter dormancy period, when it should be overwintered in a cooler location).
Propagation: repot the numerous growing children from a size of a few centimetres.
Soil: well-drained substrate, cactus soil, possibly mixed with stones and sand.
Fertiliser: Cactus fertiliser if desired very rarely and only in summer.