How to care for an Aloe Vera plant

The origin story about the Aloe is one that is hotly debated among botanists around the world. There are scripts that depict the medical benefits of this plant dating over 4000 years back. Because of that, it is hard to tell where this plant actually originates from. In the Chinese literature and culture you'll find lots of references to this plant but also in the Philippines and Canary Islands. It is also said that big names like Cleopatra and Alexander the Great had a thing for the Aloe plant. Pretty cool! Recent studies have shown that this plant is most likely from Northern Africa or the Middle East. #Plottwist!

Besides the supposed healing powers of the Aloe plant, this guy also does great work as an air purifier. It will extract harmful substances such as benzenes from the air for you.

The Aloe has poisonous sap. Even though the Aloe Vera plant is used in some juices and cremes, it is absolutely NOT recommended to consume this from your own Aloe plant. Consider yourself warned!

Aloe Vera plants are part of the succulent family of plants. Just like cacti. Only water the soil when it has completely dried out. This can take up to a month in winter!

Aloe Vera plants are best placed in a spot with some shade. They do not mind direct sunlight but a spot away from the window is always better. Aloes can also be placed outside in summer months. The direct sunlight helps the Aloe grow. Just make sure to keep the plant inside when it starts to get cold. That could kill your plant.

The Aloe plant does not need any extra plant fertilizer. As long as you provide enough sunlight and water your Aloe Vera plant will do just fine.

Every one to two years is fine. This plant can grow quite quickly and if you want that to continue you re-pot it more frequently. Each time look for a pot that is 20% bigger.

In the wild you will find Aloe Vera plants with beautiful flowers. In the home this doesn't happen so easily. Cutting leaves is easy and won't harm the Aloe too much as it will grow new ones. Aloes typically grow little shoots at the base of the stem. We recommend that you snip these off so that the plant focuses its growth on its main stems and doesn't get all gangly.

Aloe plants are almost immune to diseases. The only thing that can really harm your Aloe plant is leaving it in water for too long. This will make the roots rot which causes the plant to die.