60 Fun Facts About Aloe Vera (with Photos, ID & Info)

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that’s often used for medicinal purposes. It can be found in many homes and gardens, but not everyone knows how to identify it. In this article, we will explore the 60 Fun Facts About Aloe Vera with Photos, ID & Info! 

Overview

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Monocots
• Clade: Asparagales
• Order: Asphodelaceae
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Genus: Aloe
• Species: A. vera
• Binomial Name: Aloe Vera
• Scientific Name: Aloe Vera
• Native Area:  North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands.
• Plant Type: Evergreen perennial.
• Flower Type/Color: Tubular, yellow, pink, orange, or red.
• Propagation: Seed, cuttings, and division.
• Plant Height: 24-40″ inches (1.5-2.0 feet).
• Plant Spacing: 36″ inches. (3.0 feet).
• Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11.
• Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall.
• Harvest Period: est.18 months (after sowing).
• Sun Exposure: 6-8 hours of Full or Partial Sun.
• Soil Type: Succulent soil mix. Use a well-draining sand or loam mixture.
• Soil pH: 7.0-8.5

Plant Description

The Aloe vera plant is a succulent type of houseplant with thick, fleshy leaves. It produces multiple stems that reach a height of between approximately two to three feet in the wild.

The plant has long stems and clear, dark green leaves. In addition to its thick leaves and stalks, the aloe vera plant has a set of clear petals that encircle a central core during flowering season. 

The flower buds come in various shades of yellow and white, with little red dots mixed in here and there. The plant’s leaves are not actually leaves at all but, rather, “petioles” that grow from its body.

These petioles can be seen connecting to their stalks at the very bottom of the leaf’s stem. The type of root in this houseplant is called a “rhizome.

Fun Facts About Aloe Vera

• Only mature Aloe Vera plants that are at least four years of age will bloom flowers.

• There are more than 500 species that have been described in the genus Aloe.

• Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that grows in the wild and can be found in some parts of Africa, Europe, North America and South America.

• The species medicinal plant for centuries is grown domestically today, with over 500 commercial cultivars grown, of which about 45 different natural aloes coming from Mexico alone.

• Aloe Vera grows from a little or a lot of water, but needs plenty of sunlight to get its energy from the sun.

• It has a large, thick trunk and succulent leaves which can grow up to 1 foot wide and 2 feet tall, an inverted succulent plant.

• The stem is normally thick and strong, with several dozen nodes visible on it, some with three or more alternative stems coming out of them.

• The flowers are white, orange, pink or red, with petals that are fused together at the base for most species.
• The seeds are produced in pendulous pods that contain many seeds.

• The Aloe Vera is the only species of the Aloe that is safe for human consumption, the rest of the plant species may be poisonous​​​​​​​.

• It is estimated that about one-third of the world’s population consumes some form of Aloe Vera.

• In the United States, the plant is also called Aloe vera gel, or aloe jelly.

• In medicinal use, it contains many medicinal properties and is a dietary supplement for a number of diseases including dermatitis, burns and wounds where it has anti-inflammatory action and helps to heal damaged skin tissue by promoting tissue repair.

• It decreases pain and promotes healing in inflamed areas by protecting the skin from further damage.

• Aloe vera also is helpful for treating poison ivy rashes, sunburns or hot-water burns.

• It is the gel of the succulent plant that is used, which contains healing properties and is not perishable.

• Aloe Vera has antibacterial properties and can help control acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

• Its leaves contain polysaccharides that promote cell growth and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

• A topical application will heal minor skin abrasions including scrapes, dry skin conditions such as eczema, rashes including bug bites.

• Topically, it will soothe roughness on feet or hands from sun damage or old age, especially when combined with vitamin E oil.

• Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other naturally-occurring substances that may help improve overall health.

• When ingested, Aloe Vera can act as an anti-inflammatory agent that can provide relief for inflammations caused by ulcerative colitis.

• When applied topically to an affected area of the skin, Aloe Vera can act as a cooling agent for burns and blisters.

• Aloe Vera has some medicinal properties, making it useful for symptomatic relief of chronic constipation or diarrhea.

• Aloe vera may be used to safely relieve morning sickness during pregnancy. Always ask your doctor if it is safe for you, before consuming aloe vera when you are pregnant.​​​​​​​

• A beneficial side effect of taking Aloe Vera is that it increases the excretion of bile acids, resulting in faster digestion and assimilation of fats.

• Aloe Vera has been found to contain salicylic acid, triterpenoids known as triterpene glycosides, citric acid, linoleic acid, allantoin, carbohydrates and other important nutrients that are not harmful if taken orally or applied topically.

• Aloe Vera has been used to prevent or treat fungal infections of the skin, including ringworm of the body.

• Aloe Vera may help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism.

• Aloe vera may help protect you from food-borne illness thanks to its antiviral properties.

• It reduces blood pressure and encourages better blood circulation by dilating blood vessels.

• Aloe Vera helps detoxify your body.

• Aloe Vera is useful in the treatment of gingivitis and can be used as a mouth rinse and can even help boost your immune system.

• When placed on the skin, aloe vera has been known to speed up healing of wounds and burns, cut down scarring, treat acne and sunburns, as well as treat fungal infections of the nails.

• Aloe Vera is an anti-inflammatory and is superior to 1% hydrocortisone in reducing swelling from injuries quickly, effectively.

• The aloe vera leaf contains over 75 compounds including vitamins A, C and E; it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin irritations. 

• Aloe Vera plants grow well in areas where the temperature ranges between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit (16-29 Celsius).

• Aloe Vera can be found in products ranging from toothpaste and shampoo to makeup and skin care products.

Related Post: How to Grow Aloe Vera from Seed?

Frequently Asked Questions