If you're looking for an incredibly low-maintenance indoor plant, with a multitude of benefits, than an Aloe Vera plant might be the perfect choice for you.
We often run through the benefits of having a particular indoor plant in your home, and they are usually quite similar to each other. This is because pretty much all indoor plants have a huge range of benefits - namely cleaning the air around us, helping reduce stress, increase productivity, and looking nice. Most have these qualities, because indoor plants are great (in case you hadn't noticed!).
Aloe Vera plants, though, come with an extra benefit - their leaves possess a practical benefit that few other plants can match. They can, in a very real way, heal us. How many other interiors can boast that?! (I'm looking at you 'unnecessary cushions that keep turning up on our sofa')
Another huge benefit of Aloe Vera plants is the fact that this is a low maintenance plant. These plants reduce stress, they don't create it. They can survive with minimal input from you, and after you have read this blog, you will know everything there is to know about how take care of an Aloe Vera Plant. Let's go.
Are Aloe Vera Plants easy to care for?
If you're reading this anxiously trying to work out whether you have what it takes to look after an Aloe Vera plant, let us reassure you at this point - you do. You are more than capable. (And frankly it's time you started believing in yourself a bit more!)
Aloe Vera plants are robust - they can cope with some neglect, they can survive for weeks without water and they can basically cope with any temperature in your house that you can cope with. It is the ideal plant for beginners - easy to maintain and delightful to look at!
So while they are quite straightforward, we want to spent the rest of the blog getting to know the Aloe Vera plant a bit better, so your next plant can thrive in your home.
What are Aloe Vera plants?
Aloe Vera plants are sometimes known as their scientific name 'Aloe Barbadensis Miller', as well as other names such as Indian Aloe, Chinese Aloe (depending on where the variety originated from). The word 'Aloe' comes from the Arabic word 'alloeh', which roughly translates as 'bitter and shiny'. Which sums up the gel found within the leaves very well.
That's where most of the focus is with these plants - the Aloe Vera gel which is found when you break open the spikey, succulent, fleshy leaves. This aloe gel has been found to have a wonderful effect on our skin over thousands of years of use. It can help to soothe skin irritations, treat burns or minor cuts, help fight acne or stings, and may help with eczema. This medicinal aloe has made the aloe leaf incredibly popular all over the world.
It doesn't stop there though - the plant can also produce flowers in warmer climates, and aloe flowers are used to make a lovely tea, thought to help improve your mood and concentration. It's no wonder some people refer to it as the First Aid plant.
How to take care of an Aloe Vera plant
Aloe Vera plant care is simple. Everything you learn about plants in Primary School is more than enough to grow aloe vera plants, but just to be on the safe side, here is everything you need to know.
Let's start with how often to water an aloe vera plant. You only need to water sparingly, as the leaves retain a lot of water which will keep them going. You won't need to water more often than once a week unless you are experiencing a very hot and dry spell, and even then twice a week is plenty. They can go for weeks without water, but they are more vulnerable to over-watering. Make sure the soil is completely dry before you add water - and if it is, you can give them a big drink. The best pot for an aloe vera plant will have excellent drainage holes, as it can be vulnerable to root rot.
Now for light. Aloe plants prefer a bright spot, away from direct sunlight. Somewhere near a window is perfect.
Finally, in terms of soil, and potting soil will do - just make sure it is a well draining potting mix and you'll be fine.
That's pretty much it! Here's a quick summary:
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Origins: Arabian Peninsula
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How much light: Bright, indirect sunlight
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Water requirements: About once a week, when the top soil completely dry
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Humidity requirements: Used to desert conditions - the dryer the better!
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Soil requirements: Well-draining potting soil or cactus compost
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Temperature requirements: 13°C to 28°C, if the leaves go yellow it may be too cold!
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Pruning requirements: You can prune aloe vera leaves when they start to turn brown. Prune mature aloe vera plants to encourage new growth
Propagate Aloe Vera Plants
It's surprisingly easy to propagate an Aloe Vera plant - the plant will characteristically help you out! You will notice some Pups, effectively baby plants, being produced at the base of your mother plant. You don't have to remove these, but you can grow a new plant by removing them once they have developed their own root system. Use a sharp knife to cut it away from the mother aloe plant, making sure the roots come with it. Leave them for a few days, and then pot them in some decent well draining soil and give them a decent drink - that's basically all there is to it!
Create your indoor utopia with Prickle
We've spent a lot of this blog focusing on the wonderful aloe leaves and their wonderful healing properties - but we would hate for you to finish this blog without emphasising just how wonderful an Aloe Plant would look in your home. Ultimately, that's the real reason to have one - to help you create your dream setup of plants for you to enjoy every single day. Have a look through our many other Prickle plants and let your imagination take over! (We also stock a range of outdoor plants).
And don't forget, if you have any questions at all, our dedicated team of plant experts would love to help you out. Reach out to us on social media (@prickplantsuk) or email us at contact@prickleplants.co.uk - we can't wait to hear from you.