Aloe Vera - Healing Succulent

True aloe (lat. Aloe vera) is a succulent plant, known especially for its medicinal properties, which is why it's commonly called medicinal aloe around the world. Aloe vera is used today in many industries. Aloe vera extracts can be found in cosmetic products, dietary supplements, and medicines. Aloe vera has an irreplaceable place in folk medicine. It helps treat many ailments. A great advantage is the simple use of aloe - often it's enough to cut off a leaf, slice it lengthwise, and apply it to the wound.

Grow your own aloe vera plant and you'll always have first aid for burns and other skin problems at hand.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is just one species from the large genus of aloe plants (lat. Aloe). Other aloe species are usually cultivated by specialist growers. Aloe vera probably originates from North Africa, Cape Verde, or the Canary Islands. Today, its cultivation has spread to the Mediterranean region (Spain, Italy). These areas provide favorable climatic conditions for the good growth of these succulent plants. In many countries, aloe cultivation has become a profitable business, as demand for products with aloe vera extracts continues to grow.

The Rediscovered Power of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera was already used by the ancient Egyptians, who considered it a plant of immortality. On the island of Peloponnese, the juice from aloe vera leaves was used in the past as a remedy promoting longevity and beauty. Perhaps it was during this time that the plant began receiving various epithets, such as the fountain of eternal youth, the plant of life, the miracle of the desert, or the doctor in a pot. Today, many studies are dedicated to the healing effects of aloe vera, proving its beneficial properties.

What Does Aloe Vera Look Like?
Aloe vera consists of a rosette of fleshy leaves that store water (it is a succulent plant). Mature aloe can grow up to 1m in height under favorable conditions. In our climate and limited space, aloe vera plants are usually much smaller. Aloe vera roots have adapted to harsh conditions, so they are very strong and fibrous. The leaves are elongated in shape, bordered by sharp protrusions. The leaf blades are green in color with light spots on them. Aloe blooms with a cluster-like flower on a tall stem. The flower is yellow or orange in color.

The leaves of aloe vera are adorned with white spots.

Grow Your Own Aloe Vera Plants
Growing your own aloe vera plants from seeds is not difficult at all. Aloe vera seeds are planted in sterilized permeable substrate in a sowing device. For this purpose, a mini greenhouse or propagator, which you can find in our range, has proven very effective. Spread the seeds on the surface of the substrate and gently press them in. Water the sowing and place it in a bright and warm location. When placing on a windowsill, be careful not to overheat. Let the sprouted seedlings strengthen and then transplant them into individual pots. Don't forget to add a drainage layer at the bottom of the pots; the substrate should be permeable and light.

Growing Aloe During the Season
When growing aloe vera, it's good to observe the vegetative growth period in summer and the dormancy period in winter. During the vegetative growth period - from spring to autumn, aloe vera grows. During this time, it needs plenty of light, warmth, watering, and nutrients in moderate amounts. It's suitable to use fertilizer designed specifically for cacti and succulents - for example, Kapka - liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents. During summer, you can even grow aloe vera outdoors, it will definitely benefit from it. Just be careful during prolonged rains so that water doesn't remain in the saucer for too long. Aloe vera can easily withstand longer periods of drought, but waterlogging can be devastating for it. If you leave aloe vera in direct sunlight, the leaves may acquire a reddish tint. In most cases, this won't harm the plants at all. If the plants appear unhealthy, it's better to move them to a less sunny location.

Before the arrival of frost, don't forget to bring aloe vera inside, as it's not frost-resistant.

Towards the end of the season, reduce watering so the plant can prepare for its dormancy period. In autumn, tissues mature and the gel contained in the leaves thickens. In October, move aloe vera plants to a cooler room, which can also be darker (e.g., hallway, cool bedroom, winter garden). During the dormancy period, water aloe vera very rarely, approximately once every 3 weeks, so that the substrate isn't completely dry for too long. During the dormancy period, aloe vera, like other cacti and succulents, should not be fertilized. In spring, move the plants to a brighter and warmer location and start watering them more frequently. When moving plants from a dark location to sunlight, let them acclimatize gradually so the plant leaves don't get burned. Repot plants approximately once every 2 years; the most suitable time is right at the beginning of the season.


Diseases and Pests Don't Spare Even Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is very resilient, but unfortunately diseases and pests don't spare it. The most common pests parasitizing on aloe are mealybugs (white tufts on leaves) or root mealybugs (white pests in the root system). Among diseases, the most common is stem rot caused by excessive watering. You can eliminate rot with a drainage layer of pebbles at the plant's crown. Wilted and pale leaves can have the same cause. Conversely, lack of moisture during summer causes leaf drop and plant withering. Damage can also be caused by watering with very cold water or icy air from an open window during winter - be careful about this. A common ailment is stem elongation during winter - warmth and excessive watering force plants to grow constantly, but due to lack of light, the plant becomes leggy and unattractive.

Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has a very wide range of uses, leaf extracts are used in both the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Products containing aloe vera are part of dietary supplements.

Aloe vera grown at home has the same healing effects as that in pharmaceutical preparations!

Aloe vera helps treat digestive problems, heartburn, chronic constipation or diarrhea. It can be used to boost weakened immunity, helping the body regain its lost balance. Aloe vera detoxifies the body. In the mouth, aloe successfully fights periodontitis and gum inflammation. People with diabetes will appreciate its ability to lower blood sugar levels (always consult your doctor before use). Aloe vera is used as a supportive remedy for liver and pancreas diseases. Perhaps the most common use in folk medicine is aloe vera for skin problems - from treating minor burns, blisters, eczema, psoriasis to treating frostbite, chapped lips...