Aloe Vera [9cm Pot, 15cm Tall] - Young Medicinal House Plants UK + Free Leaflet

Description

Aloe vera Aloe vera is a succulent plant that originated in the Arabian Peninsula, but is now grown world wide. It is an important agricultural crop, with its extracts used in everything from shaving foam to cosmetics. Its juice even makes a refreshing drink! It makes an excellent house plant, and will definitely reward your care. Like other succulents, Aloe vera is an evergreen perennial. It is stemless, and grows in rosettes. It reaches between 24–39 inches tall (61–99 cm). The leaves are thick and fleshy, green in colour and with serrated edges. They make a wonderful, eye-catching display. Aloe vera flowers during the summer, when it produces its blooms on long spikes which can grow up to 35 inches long (89 cm). The blooms themselves are yellow tubes which droop from the ends of the spikes.Aloe vera is used in a wide variety of products, including shampoo, ointments, skin lotions, cosmetics, and even beverages. It is an extremely popular plant, despite the complete lack of scientific evidence for any of the health benefits that are ascribed to it. It can also be toxic if ingested in large quantities, so at Plantek we recommend that you simply admire its looks, and DO NOT attempt to make anything from it. Caring for your Aloe vera Aloe vera is native to a hot desert climate, so in the UK it must be kept indoors, and ideally kept above freezing. It should be planted in terracotta pots, using a cactus mix or a well drained sandy soil to provide the right soil consistency. Aloe vera is very good at extracting minerals from the soil, so it should not require any plant food. Keep the pot in a bright, sunny place but be careful that the leaves don’t burn. In common with other succulents, this plant needs minimal watering, and can easily look after itself if you go on holiday for a week or two. In winter, Aloe vera will become dormant, so just leave it alone and come springtime it should perk up nicely. Be warned that Aloe vera has a tendency to self propagate.