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Aloe vera

How to identify Aloe vera (Aloe vera)

Aloe vera, also known as Chinese aloe, Wand of heaven, Burn aloe

Aloe vera is characterized by dense rosettes of upright, fleshy, gray-green leaves. These leaves are smooth-edged and may span up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in length. When in bloom, aloe vera exhibits yellow flowers on 3-5 foot tall (0.9-1.5 m) sparsely-branched panicles. Its hardiness allows it to withstand temperatures down to 28° F (-2° C). It thrives in full sun to light shade and can handle occasional watering, as well as some drought conditions.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Succulent, Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Aloe vera

1

Rosettes of gray-green, fleshy leaves, 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) long.

2

Yellow flowers on 3-5 foot tall (0.9-1.5 m) panicles.

3

Red or yellow-orange flowers in 3-foot (90 cm) spikes.

4

Triangular, pointed leaves with white spots, 18 inches (45 cm) long.

5

Short, stout green stem with fleshy leaves in a rosette.

Aloe veraAloe veraAloe veraAloe veraAloe vera

Detailed Traits of Aloe vera

Leaf Features

The leaves of aloe vera are thick, succulent, and pointed, growing up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length. They are arranged in a rosette pattern and exhibit a triangular shape. The light green leaves are adorned with white spots and have a smooth texture adorned with small, spiny teeth along the margins. The leaves contain a gel-like sap and are soft, making them easy to break.

Leaf Arrangement

Fascicled

Aloe vera Leaf Arrangement image
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Flower Features

The flowers of aloe vera are strikingly red or yellow-orange and appear in terminal, elongated clusters. Each spike can reach nearly 3 feet (90 cm) in height, showcasing densely packed pendulous flowers. These mature plants bloom multiple times during their lifetime. The yellow, tubular flowers are organized in a spike inflorescence, making them a distinctive feature of the plant.

Aloe vera Flower image
Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Aloe vera Inflorescence Type image
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Stem Features

The stem of aloe vera is short and stout, measuring approximately 0.3 feet (10 cm) in height. It is typically thick, fleshy, and green in color, covered with a smooth texture. The stem is usually unbranched, or very minimally branched, contributing to its compact appearance. Distinctively, it bears a rosette of fleshy, lance-shaped leaves. This structure allows aloe vera to store water efficiently, an adaptation crucial for survival in arid environments.

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Aloe vera and Their Similar Plants

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Candelabra aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Candelabra aloe (*Aloe arborescens*) is a flowering succulent species native to Southern Africa. Candelabra aloe attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. This species is related to the well-known species Aloe vera. The Latin name Aloe arborescens means tree-like. In South Africa, it is commonly planted around livestock enclosures as a type of living fence or security border.
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Soap aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Soap aloe (Aloe maculata) is an evergreen succulent perennial that will grow to 46 cm tall and 61 cm wide. It has sword-shaped, spotted leaves that turn pinkish red in full sun and bluish green in the shade. It blooms from winter to spring with coral orange flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. Tolerant to both drought and salt, it grows well in coastal gardens and rock gardens.
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Tiger aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Tiger aloe (Aloe variegata) is an evergreen succulent species native to South Africa and Namibia. Tiger aloe is also commonly known as partridge-breasted aloe and is commonly cultivated as an ornamental species. This species cannot grow in cold or wet regions, and must be grown indoors under glass during the winter in cold areas. Tiger aloe was among the first plants cultivated in Cape Town by the Dutch East India Company. Sunbirds are fond of tiger aloe nectar.
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Christmas carol aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Christmas carol aloe is a slow-growing variety of aloe that got its name from its festive-looking dark green leaves, which sport bright red and crimson edges and raised spots. It is often used in rock gardens, or as a decorative indoor plant.
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Tiger tooth aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Aloe juvenna gets its common name, tiger tooth aloe, from its menacing-looking spiny teethed leaves. However, this plant is all bark and no bite, as the spines are harmless and will not prick you if touched. In 1979 some unknowing person incorrectly labeled the plant as "possible juvenile Aloe," which turned into the Latin word "juvenna," which eventually became the official species name.
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Spider aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Spider aloe was given the species name "humilis," which means "low-growing," because it is one of the smaller members of the aloe family. Its small stature coupled with upright, evergreen leaves makes it a popular houseplant. This easy to care for plant does not require much water or fertilizer. The occasional red flower stems are an added bonus.
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Chinese aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Chinese aloe (Aloe vera var. chinensis) is an aloe species related to the well-known aloe vera plant. While some variants of aloe vera are edible, chinese aloe is not. This species is originally from South Africa, but is now cultivated around the world in gardens as an ornamental succulent.
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Spiral aloe vs. Aloe vera: What's The Difference?
Each Aloe polyphylla leaf grows dense, almost stemless, and has a few serrations at its margin. In the seedling stage, the leaves grow opposite to each other, but as the plant gets older, its leaves grow in a distinctive spiral shape. The leaves' direction of rotation is not fixed, with some to the left and some to the right. The adult plant is large-sized, making it more suitable for direct planting in the ground.
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Key Facts About Aloe vera

Attributes of Aloe vera
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent, Herb
Plant Height
20 cm to 1 m
Spread
20 cm to 50 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Gray
Silver
Blue
Flower Size
5 cm to 10 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Orange
Green
Stem Color
Green
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Aloe vera

Family
Asphodel
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Genus
Aloe
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Species
Aloe vera (Aloe vera)
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Distribution Map of Aloe vera

Aloe vera is thought to originate from the Arabian Peninsula, with a wild native population known today only in Oman. It naturally grows in arid, sandy conditions. Aloe vera is cultivated throughout the world, and has escaped to grow wild in many countries in tropical and subtropical regions.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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