Profile
Aloe Vera is a succulent with fleshy, serrated leaves, widely grown for its well-known soothing properties for skin (the gel found inside the leaves). Indoors, it's an easy plant that readily forgives a missed watering.
Light & watering
- Light: full sun or very bright light — essential to avoid leggy, pale growth
- Watering: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, overwatering being the main risk
- Water very sparingly in winter, as the plant goes dormant
Care
- Like most succulents, hates standing water: a drainage hole and very well-draining soil are non-negotiable
- Propagates by separating the offsets (pups) that naturally form at the base of the mother plant — a different method from the leaf cuttings used on some other succulents
- Slow growth, rarely needs repotting
Daily life
Ideal for a very bright windowsill. The clear gel at the center of the leaf is the part traditionally used topically — but just under the leaf's skin sits a layer of yellowish latex (aloin), which is irritating and has a laxative effect, and should be removed before any use on skin. Ingesting the plant, leaf or gel, should be avoided for pets (see toxicity note).