Aloe is a genus of about 550 species of flowering succulent plants in the family Asphodelaceae. The plants are native to Africa, and are found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, north through Africa, Arabia and India, to Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and northern Australia.
Various aloe species have been widely used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. It is said to be one of the first natural plants from which medicine was made in Pakistan and Egypt.
The most familiar member of this genus is Aloe vera, or “true aloe” although there are many other members that are cultivated as houseplants or outdoor bedding plants in warmer climates. Are you ready to grow your own? Find growing and care guides for various aloe species down below. Happy gardening!
‘Crosby’s Prolific’ is a hybrid aloe cultivar that forms tight clusters of compact rosettes, forming dense colonies spreading via offsets. The narrow green leaves develop vivid red tones in bright sunshine and are lined with translucent teeth. Learn how to grow this low maintenance succulent in this guide. Read more now.
Christmas Carol aloe has green leaves with red accents and is shaped like a star. This easygoing succulent is suitable for growing outdoors in Zones 9 to 11 and as a houseplant. Use the leaves to soothe minor burns or let it shine as part of your festive holiday decor. Learn how to grow Christmas Carol aloe in this guide.
With sculptural branches, fan-shaped foliage, and bright red blooms, fan aloes (Kumara plicatilis) are fascinating succulents. Grown in containers or in the ground, these unusual plants can size up considerably when the right care is provided, developing into small trees. Learn to grow and care for fan aloe in this guide.
Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) is a gorgeous succulent plant appreciated for its symmetry and striking rounded shape. It’s an almost perfect example of the Fibonacci sequence in nature and looks so flawless, it almost seems unreal. Learn how to grow and care for this stunning succulent in this guide. Read more now.
Tiger tooth aloe features long stems covered in rosettes of spiky leaves dotted with cream spots. This low-maintenance succulent makes a big visual impact whether grown as a houseplant or in the water-wise landscape. Learn how to grow and care for tiger tooth aloe (Aloe juvenna) in this guide. Read more now.
Aloes are handsome, low-maintenance succulents popular as houseplants and in water-wise landscape designs. And while these plants have few care requirements, regular feeding helps to produce strong, healthy plants with uniform growth. Learn when and how to fertilize aloe plants in this guide. Read more now.
Aloe is a genus of flowering succulents, suitable for outdoor cultivation in Zones 9 to 11, and popular as easy-care houseplants. The plants feature basal rosettes of fleshy, pointed leaves and long flower stalks bearing tubular blossoms. If you want to try your hand at propagating aloes from seed, this guide can help.
Aloe plants reproduce by sending out clones called pups. But sometimes an aloe fails to create these new offsets and there are a number of reasons why this might happen. Usually it’s because the plant is stressed in some way. Learn seven common reasons why aloe fails to produce pups and what to do in this guide. Read more.
An unusual indoor/outdoor succulent that’s the lone species in its genus, lace aloe forms white-flecked rosettes with lacy, soft bristles. Grow it as an evergreen in Zones 7-10, especially where water is scarce. Or, pot it up for dish gardens indoors. Its flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and pollinators.
Are you noticing your aloe becoming too big for its current pot or space? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Discover the three simple steps to transplant or repot your aloe. Not only is it enjoyable, but you’ll also be providing aloe with a new home that will support its longevity.
To ensure the longevity of your aloe plants, it’s essential to divide them as soon as they begin to encroach upon each other and the space they are growing in. Read our guide to find straightforward steps on how to complete this process successfully, and you’ll also have extra plants to share with friends and family!
Interested in learning how to harvest healing aloe vera leaves? You’ve come to the right place. Our guide provides helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your aloe plant. Whether you’re looking to use the gel for skincare or to make aloe vera infused smoothies, we’ll provide you with simple instructions.
Have you ever wanted to grow your own aloe vera? This versatile succulent is easy to grow on a sunny windowsill in your home. With your own aloe vera plant you’ll always have first aid on hand for minor burns and bug bites. Learn everything you need to know to grow and care for aloe vera indoors in this guide.
Aloe vera adds natural beauty to the home, offering medicinal properties as an added benefit for healing cuts and scrapes. But did you know there are many different species and cultivars of aloe? Discover 13 of the best aloe varieties to add to your houseplant collection or succulent garden in this guide. Read more now.
Small aloe plants make gorgeous, low-maintenance houseplants, while larger species are popular in water-wise gardens. Did you know that there are hundreds of species, some ideal for cultivating indoors and others suitable for landscapes? Learn about the different types of aloe, and discover which will best suit your needs.
Whether you’ve noticed new developments on an aloe plant or you’re interested in knowing more before you buy one, you may be asking – do aloe plants bloom? Learn all about the flowering process of these plants, how to nurture aloe to encourage blooming, and how to care for plants during and after flowering. Read more.
Tiger aloe is a compact succulent that offers enormous appeal. Learn how to bring it home as a houseplant where it’ll thrive on neglect while still offering beautiful color and an interesting pattern. Or, make it part of a xeriscape where it can spread and fill in a bed or planter. We’ve got the details that you need.
Get serious about succulents and learn the difference between agave and aloe. Don’t let their resemblance fool you anymore! After reading about them individually and discovering their notable differences, it’s simple to tell these stunning drought-tolerant plants apart – and they make a fantastic pair in the garden.
For inexpensive succulent houseplants that grow quickly and are easy to care for, learn to root aloe vera cuttings from single leaves or divide pups from parent plants. The gel from the leaves soothes burns, and the starts you propagate make great gifts for indoor gardeners. Learn how to propagate aloe in this guide.
Aloe vera is an easy-to-grow succulent plant that thrives outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. It makes an ideal addition to a xeriscape, foundation planting, or window box. If you’re ready to add spiky interest to your garden, learn how to plant and grow aloe out in the garden in this guide. Read more now.