Aloe Vera, The Medicine Plant, has been cultivated for literally thousands of years. It is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world. Apart from this it`s easy to care for and great at oxygenating the air. The sappy gel inside has been used as a healing, cooling balm, since the time of the Egyptians.
Aloe Vera thrives in bright light, although avoid direct Summer sun. As a succulent it retains a lot of water to survive prolonged dry spells. During Spring and Summer it only requires a thorough watering approximately once every 2 or 3 weeks. Allow the top 1 or 2 inches of soil to become dry before watering again. Never let your Aloe sit in water. As with most succulents Aloe Vera likes a Winter rest where it requires only the bare minimum of water to stop the compost drying completely, and cooler temperatures.
Normal home temperatures are ideal, anywhere between 13 and 27c.
Minimum Temp: 13c
Aloe Vera is more than happy to spend the warmer months outdoors, just remember to bring it back in before temperatures start to drop ( May to September is usually safest ) Fertilise sparingly, no more than once a month, and only in Spring and Summer, with a half strength diluted feed. Mature plants produce ` pups`, babies, which can be removed and potted to create new plants. Remove the pup with a sharp knife, trying to keep an inch of stem. Allow the cut to heal for several days before potting in well-draining cacti compost. Give very little water until roots develop.
Warnings: Do not ingest the sap as can cause nausea.
