Information on Aloe

History

• Dr. T. Ombrello from the Union County College Biology Department, states that aloe vera is probably native to the Mediterranean, but people have been using aloe vera for so long as a treatment for sunburn and skin irritation that there is no way to tell where it originated. Dr. Ombrello theorizes that aloe vera may actually be an ancient hybrid rather than a naturally occurring species.

Identification

• Aloe vera is a succulent plant, meaning it has thick leaves with a gel-like sap inside. Its speckled green leaves are between 8 and 10 inches long, while the flower stems reach 2 to 3 feet in height and produce bright yellow flowers.

Growing

• Aloe vera plants work well as indoor potted plants if bright sunlight is provided. Use a commercial potting soil with extra grit or coarse sand. Fertilize with a bloom-type fertilizer in the spring. Allow the soil to become dry before watering, but then soak the soil completely. Aloe vera is not cold or frost tolerant.