Caring for your aloe
Hailing from the desert, the aloe is an easy-care plant that loves lots of sun and well-drained soil. Water only when the soil is dry and fertilise from April to September.
Three ways to showcase your aloe
- Plant in wide, shallow dishes to allow the long leaves of your aloe to spread – as well as giving its naturally sprawling roots the opportunity to stretch out under the soil.
- Create an indoor succulent garden by planting multiple aloe plants in a long, oblong planter, or arrange a cluster of pots of contrasting succulent varieties on a table or shelf.
- The aloe’s long, lean leaves make it a sleek addition to a minimalist home. Use a simple white planter and scatter the soil with white gravel for a clean, modern feel. The gravel also assists drainage, preventing the roots from becoming waterlogged.
The health benefits of aloe vera
We’ve all reached for the bottle of aloe-vera gel after too much time in the sun, but there’s more to this botanical than its skin-soothing properties. Here are just a few of its popular uses:
- Hydrating the skin
- Promoting skin renewal
- Soothing minor burns
- Cleansing the digestive system
- Supporting the immune system
If you have an aloe from a specialist supplier, you might be able to create your own pure, additive-free gel, by taking a leaf, removing the spiny edges, slicing down the middle lengthways, and scooping out the gel. Some aloe houseplants can be harmful, so always check with a supplier or nursery before using them in this way.
