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.

Just be honest with yourself... 

You might have already be thinking of some of your plant purchases from the past (and I am not saying this just because 2021 is definitely over and 1st January 2022 is about to come to its end as well...). 

I am not surprised at all that social media, fancy adverts and slogans have an impact on your plant purchase related decision. However at this point I allow myself to say "STOP - think - GO"! In other words, take a minute (rather "two"), re-search on your own from various sources, compare the outcome with your personal preference and conditions you are able to offer your new plant and if it feels "fine" for BOTH (i.e. you and the plant as well), just GO for it...

With "STOP - think - GO" I will highlight some of the daily moments, which might look pretty confusing to you (especially you are a beginner and your "thumbs are still not that green" as you would like to have them...

Wishing us all a happy green year 2022!!!

Your TOM 

 

The BOTANICAL GARDEN of the UNIVERSITY of ZURICH - 5.6 hectare garden was laid out in the 1970s and shows on the one hand recreated habitats as in the Mediterranean Garden and Alpinum. Thematically arranged are the kitchen garden and the medicinal plant garden. The pond with its various habitats and aquatic inhabitants attracts many visitors. The three domes of the show houses are striking. The view axes north-south and west-east, kept free by large trees, are special and give the garden size and space.
We can present around 7000 plant species.

The Brissago Islands form the botanical garden of the Canton of Ticino. The smaller island (or Isola di Sant'Apollinare) is covered by spontaneous vegetation, mainly of Insubrese origin, which is left in its natural state. On the Isola Grande (or Isola di San Pancrazio), which has been open to the public since 1950, mainly plants of subtropical origin from the northern and southern hemispheres have been planted. In 1885, Baroness Antoinette Saint-Léger chose the islands as her residence and frequently invited painters, sculptors, musicians and writers. The large island became an exotic garden.

In 1927, the new owner Max Emden, a businessman from Hamburg, had the present island palace, harbour and Roman bath built and expanded the care of exotic plants. The Botanical Garden offers a fascinating insight into the subtropical plant world.

Azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese hemp palms, numerous camellias, Japanese bananas, bamboo and ginkgo transport the visitor to the Far East. The group of plants from South Africa surprises with protea, gazania, watsonia, agapanthus and lion's tail. Central America offers a completely different view with magnolia, the American amber tree, agave, bald cypress (on the islands for 30 years with its roots sticking out of the water), yucca, gold poppy, Guaranite sage, beschorneria, opuntia. From Australia come the huge eucalyptus trees (among the oldest at the southern foot of the Alps), broom heather, acacias. Shrub veronica, club lily and string tree take the visitor to New Zealand.

The Mediterranean is represented by sage, rosemary, holm oak, cork oak, Canary Island date palm, broad-leaved holm oak, strawberry tree heather and pine.

The Brissago Islands are part of the Gardens of Switzerland trade, which brings together the most beautiful gardens.

Closed during winter: open from April to November.