Aloe Vera: The Medicine Plant That's Easy to Grow

Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis

Also called Burn Plant or Medicine Plant — the gel from a broken leaf soothes minor burns and abrasions. Hardy, slow-growing succulent with plump, upward-curving, faintly spotted green leaves edged with soft teeth. Rosette form. Outdoors blooms spring with yellow tubular flowers on tall spikes; rarely blooms indoors.

Simple Care

Bright Light, Some Direct Winter Sun

Gradual transition if moving outdoors (sunburns easily). Bright window year-round works.

Pest Watch

Check for scale and mealybugs occasionally. Treat immediately.

Repot Offsets

Spring when crowded. Freely produces offsets — propagate as rosettes form to prevent crowding.

Quick Reference: Aloe Vera Care

• Origin: Northeast Africa
• Height: 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
• Light: Bright with some direct winter sun
• Water: Lightly moist spring–fall; slightly drier winter. Never bone dry.
• Humidity: Average room
• Temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
• Soil: Cactus mix or 2 parts all-purpose : 1 part coarse sand
• Fertilizer: Monthly balanced spring–fall
• Propagation: Cut offsets spring/early summer. Dry cut 1–2 days, pot in barely moist sandy mix.