Aloe vera

My aloe vera was given to me by a dear friend a year and a half ago. True to its reputation, it is quite easy to care for. Although it is a succulent, it is from the lily and onion family! It has many scientific names but the most common are Aloe barbadensis miller or simply Aloe vera. My plant has a few white spots on it so I believe this puts it in the category of the Aloe vera var. chinensis. Common names are numerous including Medicinal aloe, Chinese aloe, Indian aloe, True aloe, Burn aloe and Bitter aloe. It is believed that the species originated in South Africa but, at the present, lives and thrives all over the world in temperate and tropical climates.

Grown outdoors, the plant can live under conditions of slight frost in the winter and heat in the summer with a bit of shade. It will become dormant at times of stress and needs no water during this time. During the growing seasons, it can take well-drained water and will flower. It turns a reddish hue in temperatures fluctuating high or low.

The plant has a history of being used for medicinal purposes. Little scientific proof of effectiveness exists but the leaves contain 12 different vitamins.