Aloe vera – Succulent Plant

About Aloe vera

Aloe vera, Ghrita-kumari is the famous medicinal plant with ornamental and cultural beliefs.

It is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing up to 1 m tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 35 inches tall, each flower being pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla up to 3 cm long

It is the most encountered species of aloe and the most well known for delivering powerful health benefits ,The medicinal uses of aloe vera are amazing, as the benefits of aloe vera remedies are truly significant.

Plant specification

Aloe vera Planting And Care

Sunlight

• It grows well in bright indirect sunlight.

Soil

• Soil should be well drain and porus.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply 1 cup (Approx. 50 ml) water when the top soil (3-4 inch) in pot feels dry to touch.
• Apply water probably in the morning or evening time.
• Do not overwater the plant.
• As a rule of thumb, water the plant thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.

Application of fertilizer

• Before application of fertilizer loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture.
• During the main growing season (January-March) feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month.
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and discard them away from the plants.
• For any insect attack or disease, you can use Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil or Citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Do not over water the Aloe vera especially when pot does not have drainage holes.
• Keep away from the AC Vents.
• Do not apply water on plant leaves.

Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location.

• Check the moisture in the soil before watering it.
• Poke your finger into the soil, if dry then apply water.
• Keep the plant in indirect light.
• Do not re-pot immediately after receiving it.

Special feature Aloe Vera

• It is an air purifier indoor/outdoor plant.

Ornamental uses of Aloe Vera

• Suitable for container, rock garden and xeriscaping.