Aloe vera
Barbados aloe
An evergreen perennial to 0.6m, forming rosettes of fleshy, narrow, dull green leaves with spiny margins, with long racemes of tubular greenish-yellow flowers 3cm in length in racemes to 90cm in length
Other common names
Bitter AloesCuraçao aloe
Synonyms
Aloe barbadensisAloe vulgaris
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green Yellow | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Potentially harmful
- Ingestion may cause severe discomfort. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Aloe can be mat-forming or shrubby evergreen perennials, with rosettes of fleshy leaves and small tubular flowers in racemes or panicles
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SW Arabian Peninsula
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in a loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth; very sparingly when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown with heat as soon as ripe or from offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Can get scale insects and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease free
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