Why people love it
Aloe vera is the plant that earns its keep. Its leaves hold a clear gel that people have used on minor burns and sunburn for thousands of years. It grows quickly, tolerates neglect, and keeps producing baby plants (“pups”) around its base. Expect to be giving them away to friends.
Care in a nutshell
- More light, more aloe. In dim spots the leaves flop over and turn pale.
- Heavy drinker, quick dryer. Water thoroughly but only once the soil is dry. Terracotta pots help the soil dry faster.
- Repot the pups. When a pup has a few leaves of its own, slide the plant out of the pot and separate the pup with its roots attached.
Watch out for
- Floppy, bending leaves: not enough light, or water too often.
- Brown, crispy patches: sunburn after moving it outside too quickly. Introduce it to strong sun over a week or two.
- Thin, curled leaves: it’s thirsty and using up its stored water.
Fun fact: Aloe vera has been grown so widely, for so long, that botanists aren’t completely sure where it grew wild in the first place.
