• Aloe leaves are edged with soft spines.aloe image by pix29 from Fotolia.com
  
  Aloe barbadensis is also commonly called aloe vera. The plant is native to Africa and grows outdoors only in zones 9 through 11 in the United States. Its leaves are about 12 to 18 inches long and are green with grey or white mottling. Aloe is a succulent, which means that it uses its leaves and stems to store water. The leaves contain a liquid substance that is useful for treating burns and relieving pain from insect bites. It is a common ingredient in many body lotions and other body care products.
  
  

Growth Habit

• Aloe grows close to the ground in a rosette shape. Its growth rate is slow. Some species have trunks and resemble small trees. The plant has a rhizome root system. Rhizomes are fleshy and spread widely in search of water. Flower stalks appear from the center of the plant, grow 2 to 3 feet tall and are topped with yellow tubular flowers. Young plants called "pups" appear at the base of the plant. Plant the pups after removing them with a sharp, clean knife and allowing the cut end to dry for a couple of days.
  
  

Aloe as a Houseplant

• Aloe makes an excellent indoor plant and is handy to have around in the event of a burn or sting. The Arizona Cooperative Extension recommends using a cactus potting mix or amending a good quality potting mix with coarse sand (builder's sand), perlite or vermiculite to enhance drainage. Excellent drainage is absolutely necessary for potted plants, so take the time to choose the right pot---one with at least three large holes in the bottom---and add some rocks to the bottom before adding the potting medium. With each watering, soak the soil until water comes out the drainage holes, and let the soil dry out between each watering. Place the potted plant in a window that gets lots of southern or western exposure. It's okay to move indoor plants outdoors during the summer, but be sure to bring them back indoors before the fall frost.
  
  

Aloe as an Outdoor Plant

• Grow outdoor plants as specimens or container plants, or plant several plants 12 to 18 inches apart to form a ground cover. Aloe is tolerant of several soil types, including the slightly alkaline and the slightly acidic, clay, sand and loam. It has a very high drought tolerance but a low salt tolerance. While it tolerates different soil types, it still needs well-drained soil. According to the University of Florida Extension, caterpillars may chew tender, young leaves; otherwise, aloe is a pest-free plant.