The healing powers of the Aloe Vera plant have been known throughout the civilised world for centuries. While considered by many to be a member of the cactus family it is actually a member of the lily family along with onion, garlic and asparagus.
It is a perennial herb with thick, succulent, pointed, basal leaves. The leaves are a grey-green to reddish colour and are sometimes spotted. The margins are slightly pink with pale teeth; flowers yellow in terminal, elongated clusters.
Currently known as Aloe barbadensis it is now agreed that Aloe vera can take precedence. That's much easier for us to remember and the vera distinguishes the more popular garden aloe from that of the A. maculata which is a much larger and more vigorous plant that has become naturalised in the eastern and southern parts of the continent.
| Height | Frost tol. | Pollination req'd | Evergreen/Deciduous | Harvest period |
| 1 | Medium | No | Evergreen | All year round |
We welcome your Tips on Aloe Vera. Share Your Tip.
Separate new shoots often into individual pots, or grow in raked gravel to create a 'healing' zen garden. My one plant has multiplied many times over so that almost every member of my family has at least 5 plants! | Ed Kent - Kanahooka, NSW 01-Sep-2006
Great for sunburn or itchy bites - split open a leaf longways and use the inside to spread the soothing gel over the skin directly. Grows well in pots in the shade. Snails like to hide in the pots, so they make good snail traps. | Margy - Manly, NSW 31-Oct-2007
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