Aloe vera is a succulent and evergreen perennial that originates from Arabian Peninsula. There are more than 400 varieties, but aloe vera is the best-known type of aloe plant. It grows well in tropical and subtropical climates all over the world including coastal areas, deserts, grasslands, and high elevations. These wonderful succulents can grow in both perennial gardens and as potted plants in your outdoor garden.
Check out this article whether Is Aloe Vera a Tropical Plant? or What?
Climate Required:
This succulent originates from the tropical climate of Africa with the most diverse range of species flourishing a 5-to-35-degree range of equator. Because within these latitudes temperatures always stay high year around and surprisingly there is no winter too.
Many varieties of aloe vera also do well in a slightly overlapping subtropical climate within 30-45 degrees of the equator. Wet winters are also one of the many climates in subtropics that foster aloe plants. In US aloe vera grows from coast to coast in areas where winters are mild and frost is rare.
Outdoor Options:
Aloe vera is one of the tenderest of species that can be planted outdoors in zones 10 and 11. In USDA zone 9, it may be fine in a sheltered garden where it gets enough amount of sunlight throughout the day. In USDA zone 8, the plants can be planted outside in bright protection from April through Mid November as long as the temperature remains above 50 degrees.
Aloe vera tree can grow up to 15 feet tall and cape aloe which is also called bitter aloe can grow up to 5-6 feet tall. You can also try growing fan aloe, spider aloe that works great in coastal, rock and cactus garden.
Tips For Growing:
Aloe vera doesn’t need regular watering, water them once in a week is completely fine. Make sure you keep them away from highly reflective surfaces that could burn their leaves. If you are growing them in containers, change them to another spacious pot once in a year to give roots enough space.
Always use a cactus mix that contains plenty of perlites and coarse sand or grit. Many varieties of aloe vera produce baby plants called “pups” can be separately potted. Most of the aloe varieties are easily available at local nurseries or you can even buy them from botanical centers and arboretums operated by gardening societies and universities.
Flowering Facts:
Many aloe vera varieties produce yellow, orange, red, and tubular cream flowers that attract different types of bees and hummingbirds. The flowering soap aloe produces suds and it is prized as an easy-care, long-lasting potted plant. Torch aloe has distinctive star-shaped leaves that provide textural interest to indoor and outdoor gardens.
When grown as houseplants, it doesn’t bloom as profusely as outdoor counterparts. They’re completely fine with partial shade but won’t bloom at all without consistent, generous sunlight. Make sure to fertilize them once in a month in the spring season and if your aloe doesn’t bloom this year, it may bloom the next.
Extra Tips:
- Water them only when the top of the soil feels dry.
- Clean your houseplants with a wet cloth to get rid of a variety of diseases and pests.
- Keep them away from your children and pets, it has toxic skin irritants or will poison them when ingested.
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