Aloe vera var. officinalis L., Burm.f.

Common name(s): Aloe vera, Medicinal Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Burn Plant, Curacao Aloe, True Aloe

Family: Asphodelaceae (Aloeaceae, Liliaceae) Subfamily: Asphodeloideae Synonym(s): Aloe barbadensis Mill., Aloe officinalis, Aloe perfoliata var. vera L., Aloe chinensis Haw., Baker, Aloe barbadensis var. chinensis Haw., Aloe indic Royle, Aloe flave Pers., Aloe lanzae Tod., Aloe maculata Forssk., illeg., Aloe perfliata var. vera L., Aloe rubescens DC, Aloe variegata Forssk. illeg.,Aloe vera var. chinensis Haw., A Berger, Aloe vera var. lanzae Baker, Aloe vera var. littoralis J. Koenig ex Baker, Aloe vulgaris Lam.
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties
Origin(s)
Yemen
  • Yemen: Indigenous
Algeria
  • Algeria: Indigenous
Egypt
  • Egypt: Indigenous
Morocco
  • Morocco: Indigenous
San Marino
  • San Marino: Indigenous
Spain
  • Canary Is.: Indigenous
Tunisia
  • Tunisia: Indigenous
Plant Type
Deciduous Succulent, Evergreen, Perennial
Deciduous Succulent,
Evergreen,
Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Arid-Semi / Steppe, Oceanic, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean
Arid-Semi / Steppe,
Oceanic,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Sun - Afternoon, Shade - Light
Sun - Full,
Sun - Afternoon,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Desert Vegetation
Desert Vegetation
Habitat Zone(s)
Dry Valley Slopes, Exposed Stony embankments, Garden, Hill Sides, Landscape, Open areas, Ridges, Road sides, Rock crevices, Rocky, Sandy Dry, Sandy Moist, Waste Land / Disturbed Sites, Well drained
Dry Valley Slopes,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Garden,
Hill Sides,
Landscape,
Open areas,
Ridges,
Road sides,
Rock crevices,
Rocky,
Sandy Dry,
Sandy Moist,
Waste Land / Disturbed Sites,
Well drained
Mature Height
600-700mm, 700-800mm, 800-900mm, 900mm-1m
600-700mm,
700-800mm,
800-900mm,
900mm-1m
Mature Width
150-200mm
150-200mm
Plant Shape
Rosette
Rosette
Rosette Rosette
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Life Span
10-15yrs, 15-30yrs
10-15yrs,
15-30yrs
Leaf Properties
Leaf Colour (front)
Blue-green Variegated, Green Light, White Variegated, Yellow-green
Blue-green Variegated,
Green Light,
White Variegated,
Yellow-green
Leaf Colour (back)
Green Light, Yellow-green
Green Light,
Yellow-green
Leaf Shape(s)
Deltoid
Deltoid
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Deltoid Deltoid,
Lanceolate Lanceolate
Leaf Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Waxy
Waxy
Glabrous Glabrous,
Waxy Waxy
Fleshy
Fleshy
Leaf Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Waxy
Waxy
Glabrous Glabrous,
Waxy Waxy
Fleshy
Fleshy
Leaf Length(s)
175-200mm, 200-250mm, 250-300mm, 300-400mm, 400-500mm
175-200mm,
200-250mm,
250-300mm,
300-400mm,
400-500mm
Leaf Width(s)
30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm
30-40mm,
40-50mm,
50-60mm,
60-70mm
Leaf Arrangement
Rosette
Rosette
Whorled
Whorled
Rosette Rosette,
Whorled Whorled
Leaf Aroma
None
None
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Flowering Time (start)
Winter
Winter
Flowering Time (end)
Spring
Spring
Colour(s)
Red-orange, Yellow Tipped, Pink-orange
Red-orange,
Yellow Tipped,
Pink-orange
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flower Shape(s)
Tubulate
Tubulate
Tubulate Tubulate
Flower Size(s) Width
25-30mm
25-30mm
Arrangement(s)
Spike
Spike
Raceme
Raceme
Spike Spike,
Raceme Raceme
Arrangement Size(s)
600-700mm, 700-800mm, 800-900mm, 900-1000mm
600-700mm,
700-800mm,
800-900mm,
900-1000mm
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Bees,
Birds,
Butterflies
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Capsule Septicidal
Capsule Septicidal
Capsule Septicidal Capsule Septicidal
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid
Outer Colour(s)
Brown, Brown Light
Brown,
Brown Light
Outer Texture
Papery
Papery
Length
10-15mm
10-15mm
Aroma
None
None
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Soil Properties
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist-Dry
Moist-Dry
Moist Moist,
Moist-Dry Moist-Dry
Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Poor,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Poor
Poor
Bird Attraction
Nectar
Nectar
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
Leaves
Leaves
Fire Retarding
Good
Good
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
Light
Light
Smog Tolerant
Good
Good
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Pests/Diseases
Aphid, Mealy Bug, Root Rot Fungus, Scale
Aphid,
Mealy Bug,
Root Rot Fungus,
Scale
Humidity Requirements
Low, Medium
Low,
Medium
Fertilising Requirements
FR6
FR6
Wind Tolerance
Moderate Winds
Moderate Winds
Weed Potential(s)
Australia
  • NSW: Slight
  • NT: Moderate
  • QLD: Strong
  • SA: Slight
  • TAS: None
  • WA: Moderate

General Notes

A. vera has been cultivated for hundreds of years around the world for its medicinal and cosmetic uses.

There are several cultivars available.