A beautiful succulent, aloe is very distantly related to agave and yucca. A much closer relative is asphodel.

Aloes originated in dry regions of tropical and subtropical Africa, while yuccas and agaves are natives to North and South America.

Although at first glance, they all look similar, there are some significant differences. Aloe leaves are much more fleshy and succulent than either agave or yucca. This is where the plant stores water.

There are some 400 species of aloes in the world. The most common type is Aloe vera (Aloe vera), and that's probably what you're going to find in your nursery or garden center.

Growing Aloes

Unlike yucca and agave, aloe species are highly susceptible to frost and cold. Unless you live in Zones 10 and above, aloes should be grown in pots. They can probably be left outside in summer, providing the nights are not too cold, but I have killed some really nice aloes by leaving them out in late spring in the highlands of New Mexico, and the temperature that night dropped below freezing. We didn't actually have frost because there was no moisture in the air, but the aloes froze and died just as quickly.

In USDA Cold Hardiness zones 10 and above, your aloes will probably be safe in your garden all year long, unless some unusually inclimate weather intrudes.

Aloes, having originated in dry regions of Africa (and the Arabian Peninsula) are much more comfortable in moderately fertile soil than in highly fertile soil. They also like good drainage. Thus a half and half mix of potting soil, and course sand, granite or even perlite would be a great growing medium for aloe.

These plants are used to, and prefer, lean soil, so do not overfertilize. When you pot them, use a regular blooming fertilizer, but dilute it half of what you would normally feed other plants.

Also, do not overwater. Allow the soil in the pot to become completely dry before watering. Then give them a good drink. Check on the soil weekly. When it's completely dried out again, give the plant another drink.

As your aloe grows, you're going to need to repot it in larger pots. Since aloe roots are very shallow, the depth of the pot doesn't matter. But the shallow roots do like to spread, so the width becomes important.

If you don't repot in larger (wider) pots as the aloe grows, it will topple over, because it doesn't have enough room to create a root system to support the top of the plant.

The plant spreads by offshoots, or by sprouting directly from the roots. Just take these offshoots or sprouts off the plant, and repot them. They make great casual gifts.

Aloes do flower, but mostly when planted outdoors. Hummingbirds love the reddish flower spikes.

Medicinal Uses

Many people swear by aloe vera for helping to take the pain out of insect stings, healing cuts, dissolving wrinkles, smoothing and moisturizing skin. Many cosmetics contain aloe vera juices or aloe vera extract. There is even a small industry making aloe vera products for internal use.

Two contradictory studies, done in the 90's, had differing results with aloe vera. One company said its studies indicated that covering wounds with aloe vera instead of bandages increased healing time by six to seven days.

A second study said that the same process produced significantly slower healing.

Some reports say it is useful for treating ringworm and athlete's foot.

A recent study in Spain found that aloe derivatives could be used as an effective (and better) substitute for sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide has long been used as a preservative to prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Although I'm not sure about the healing properties of aloe, I do know that my mother, aunt and grandmother used it to treat bee and wasp stings, mosquito bites, scrapes and cuts. So, even if it is a placebo, it's sort of like comfort food. It may or may not work physically, but it may have a lot to do with healing psychically.

See also

1. Agaves, Yuccas and Aloes: Part I Agaves
2. Agaves, Yuccas and Aloes: Part II Yuccas