There are many varieties of Aloe Vera in the world, corresponding to the family of Succulents, plants that store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. Aloe Vera (Barbadensis mill) is one of them. Learn all about aloe vera plant care outdoors in this article.
Aloe Vera is a perennial plant that we can easily keep in our garden or pot. It has a small stem from which all its leaves come out, which can be up to 20” (50 cm) long and 4” (10 cm) wide. The color is grayish-green with very small thorns. Some have pinkish tones on the edges of the leaves and the young plants often have spots.
It usually flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are very striking, grow in clusters, and are yellow or orange.
How to Grow Aloe Vera Plant
The best time to plant Aloe vera is at the end of winter, once the frost is over.
However, if you live in an area with a warm climate or if you plant it directly in a pot, you can plant it practically all year round.
The best way to plant Aloe vera is to do it from the sprouts of a mother plant, as it will grow much faster and easier than from seeds.
1- Prepare a substrate with very good drainage, put gravel in the bed to obtain better drainage. It is necessary that the pot has a good depth and has drainage holes. The substratum must be rich in organic fertilizer, and you can add a contribution of perlite.
2- Put the plant in the ground up to where its leaves are born, taking care not to damage its roots, and do not water it until after two weeks.
3 – Place the plant in a warm area, where it receives sunlight and if possible, in a relatively humid place. Be careful with excess humidity, and do not expose it to the mid-summer sun or to humidity so high that fungus can appear.
4 – After two weeks you can take it to its final location. Wait until the soil is dry before watering it again. Avoid excess humidity, especially in winter.
Aloe vera Plant Care Outdoors
Aloe vera Plant Care Soil
Substrate rich in organic matter, but the most important thing is to have good drainage. Water accumulations can cause fungus and other diseases to appear.
Fertilizer
An annual contribution of humus will be appreciated by our plant. Here you can see how to make organic fertilizer at home.
Aloe vera Plant Care Outdoors: Light
It needs about 8 to 10 hours of exposure to the sun. But if the summer sun is too strong it could damage your leaves.
Aloe Vera Watering
The best way to water the aloe is with drip irrigation, which brings moisture to the soil without causing waterlogging. If you cannot use this, water only when the soil is dry.
Aloe Vera Temperature Tolerance
The ideal temperature for aloe is between 62-80 °F (17-27 ºC). It can resist temperatures up to 50 °F (10 ºC) and a little less.
Aloe Vera Medicinal Uses
Internal use: Cut the leaf of the plant and then give it other cuts of approximately two fingers wide. Cut off the thorns on the sides and let it drain so that the yellow liquid (which has strong laxative properties) is thrown away. Then peel the rest of the outer layer, extract the gel, and consume it. You can mix it with natural fruit juice, water, make ice cubes, even include it in jellies.
External use: To relieve burns, heal skin wounds, acne, skin spots, etc. To do this, do the same process mentioned above, extract the gel and use it directly on the skin. The gel can also be mixed with toothpaste, body creams, or shampoo.
Attention: Do not consume the Aloe in excess, take it, or use it with caution.
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