Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of my favorite succulents to have in the garden. It is an attractive succulent, that has thick variegated leaves that fan out from the stem. The flowers are produced in summer on a long spike with reddish orange flowers.

Aloe Vera likes to be watered deeply, just make sure the soil dries in between the watering. If the soil stays wet, the roots will rot. They can be watered as little as every few weeks in wintertime. Aloe Vera can grow in pots with well draining soil such as cacti/succulent mix or in the ground. It will thrive pretty much anywhere as long as the soil is well drained.

They like to have room in their pots. When they become root bound, they need transplanted into a bigger pot. Some people grow aloe inside. Just make sure you have plenty of light either artificial or natural sunlight through a bright window. Aloe needs plenty of light to grow healthy.

Aloe Vera is susceptible to mealy bugs and scale. As well as these diseases root rot, soft rot, fungal stem rot and leaf rot. Most time over watering helps create these conditions.

Aloe has many health benefits and the easiest way to use some of the gel is to just snap off a leaf when you need it, and rub on the gel. Many medical remedies are made from the gel from the inside of the plants leaves. Use it fresh or it stores it in the fridge for up to a week. Its a nice little burn cream to always have on hand.