Clump-forming succulent with thick gel-filled leaves used medicinally.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H2 | 1 °C to 5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 5–7 | 5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Aloe vera
Aloe vera has been in cultivation so long that its precise wild origin is uncertain, and it is now naturalised across much of the warm world. The clear inner gel of the leaf and the bitter yellow latex just beneath the skin are quite different substances, which is the source of much confusion about it — the latex is a strong laxative and is not the part used on skin. It is a succulent adapted to arid conditions, and far more plants are killed by overwatering and cold wet soil than by neglect.
Growing notes
- Frost-tender — protect below 5 °C
- Rots quickly in cold wet conditions
Pet caution: Aloe vera is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
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Related plants
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