Aloe vera is a popular succulent, happily grown in our homes and beyond. They are also a unique decoration for offices, restaurants and hotels. They fit into any room, regardless of the style in which it is decorated. They show great resistance to neglect and are not difficult to grow. Many aloe species are used for medicinal purposes. So, if you are a beginner in houseplant growing and are thinking about choosing plants for your collection, aloes should be in it!

Aloe vera - origin and characteristics

Aloe vera is one of the world's most popular succulents and has been known for hundreds of years. It was appreciated as far back as ancient Egypt and was believed to have regenerative properties. In the wild, it is found in Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. The plant is distinguished by its spreading stems, its leaves are arranged in a rosette, are fleshy and usually have thorns all around. Inside the aloe vera is a pulp - a 'jelly' - which, in the case of some varieties of aloe vera, has medicinal properties. Aloe vera is most commonly associated as a potted plant, but it can also occur as a tree or liana. The ornamental feature of aloes are the flowers, which can be red, orange or yellow depending on the species.

Aloe vera - varieties

The aloe vera family has about 550 varieties that are found as aloe vera in a pot or as shrubs. The most commonly found in homes is the common aloe vera (Aloe vera). It is the only species of aloe that is not protected and is one of the few that can be used in cosmetics or pharmacology. It is distinguished by its rosettes of thick, fleshy, sometimes spotted leaves with weakly developed spines on their edges. Common aloe grows to a maximum height of 90 cm. It is also appreciated by plant lovers for its delicate yellow flowers, gathered in long clusters, which, however, do not appear in home cultivation until four years after planting at the earliest.

Another popular species is the tree aloe (Aloe arborescens). This is a much more showy plant. It takes the form of a branched shrub with stems ending in grey-green, rosette-shaped leaves topped with small thorns. In the wild it can reach up to 5 metres in height, grown as a houseplant or greenhouse plant it grows up to 1 metre. Tree aloe is distinguished by its strongly saturated orange flowers.

Armed aloe (Aloe ferox) is one variety of the plant that also exhibits medicinal properties. It is characterised by its large size as well as its striking red flowers and exceptionally thick and long leaves with red thorns. However, it has little chance of flowering at home, as it is not able to reach a sufficient size.

Aloe aristata is also often grown in pots. This plant is ideal for home cultivation as it grows to a maximum height of 30 cm. It has fleshy leaves with bright, hairy spines. Compared to other varieties, aloe vera bistata flowers quite easily, producing flowers in a shade of Sicilian orange or pink.

Aloe vera cultivation

Due to its low requirements, ornamental appearance and properties, aloe vera is ideal as a pot plant in flats. It is particularly appreciated by people who do not have much time to care for flowers. In order to enjoy the beauty of aloe vera for as long as possible, it is sufficient to fulfil a few care conditions:

✔️ position

The best place for aloe vera is bright and sunny. Lack of sufficient light causes the aloe vera to change colour, fade and its leaves pull out and do not grow very large. However, care should be taken that the sunlight is not too intense, as "burnt" aloe vera takes on a red colour, which does not look very aesthetically pleasing. The windowsill of a window that does not get too much sun will be a good place for this, but if you have a south-facing window, it is advisable to move the plant slightly away from the window.

✔️ temperature

From spring to autumn, aloe tolerates an average room temperature (20-25°C). In winter, the temperature of aloe vera cultivation should be lowered to around 10°C.

✔️ substrate

For growing aloe vera, it is best to choose a light, permeable substrate, such as soil for cacti and succulents. Ordinary horticultural substrate can also be used, but it needs to be mixed with coarse sand or gravel. This mixture should be filled into a pot with holes in the bottom to prevent the aloe vera from being "waterlogged". It is also a good idea to place a drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel at the bottom of the container.

✔️ watering

Aloe vera does not need much water; it is accustomed to harsh living conditions. The plant only needs to be watered when the top layer of soil in the pot dries out. Too much water in the pot can cause the roots of the seedling to rot. When watering aloe vera in the pot, be careful not to wet its leaves. Sprinkling is also not the best idea. This is because water accumulating in the rosettes can cause the plant to rot or a fungus to develop on the leaf surface.

✔️ fertilisation

Aloe plants do not need any special feeding. Fertilisation of aloe vera should take place during the growing season, i.e. from spring to autumn. You can use a diluted compound fertiliser or a mixture for cacti and succulents.

✔️ repotting

This is usually done every 3 years, preferably in spring. If the plant has already reached its target size and it is not necessary to repot it into a larger container, simply replace the top layer of substrate with fresh soil.

✔️ propagation

The easiest way to get more cuttings is to propagate aloe vera from root suckers, which can be obtained when repotting. Aloe can also be propagated from seed, sown into the ground between February and April.

Properties and uses of aloe vera

Aloe vera in a pot is mainly associated with its health-promoting properties. However, it is worth bearing in mind that not all species of aloe vera are remedies for various ailments. Of the large aloe vera family, 20 species have medicinal qualities. However, only two of these are used in pharmacy: aloe vera and tree aloe.

Aloe leaves are filled with pulp and aloin. The juice squeezed from the gelatinous substance and the pulp extracted from the pulp and peel of the plant are used as a cosmetic raw material. They are rich in: vitamins (A, B, C and E), mineral salts (potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, sulphur, phosphorus), organic acids, as well as polysaccharides, glycoproteids (aloectin) and biogenic stimulators.

Depending on the variety, selected aloes may manifest the following properties:
✔️ strengthen and purify the body,
✔️ exhibit antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects,
✔️ reduce sugar levels in the body,
✔️ neutralise stomach acids,
✔️ provide valuable vitamins,
✔️ stimulate the metabolism,
✔️ promote healing of wounds, frostbite, burns, irritation (e.g. after depilation),
✔️ moisturise
✔️ help treat skin infections, ringworm, thrush, acne,
✔️ are helpful in eliminating skin imperfections,
✔️ protect against the sun's harmful rays,
✔️ strengthen, make hair more flexible and eliminate dandruff,
✔️ used for oral inflammation.

Raw materials extracted from aloe vera are used in medicine and cosmetics. The juice can be used internally and externally, rubbed into the skin.