Description

General aspect and origins - Aloe vera syn. Aloe barbadensis is also known as medicinal aloe, Barbados aloe or Curacao aloe. It is a large and succulent perennial plant, with lanceolate leaves and yellow tubular flowers.
Leaves - Aloe vera has gray-green lanceolate leaves that can reach up to 2.5 ft (75 cm) long. When cut, the leaves exude a thick gelatinous sap, which has many medical and paramedical uses.
Flowers - The flowers of the true species are yellow, but those of many selection are orange-yellow to orange. They are tubular and grouped on stalks that can be up to about 3 ft (90 cm) tall.

Culture

This aloe can withstand slight and brief frosts of about 23°F-26°F (-3°C to -5°C) in good drainage conditions, and can be grown in USDA zones 9b and warmer.
Soil - This plant needs a well-drained soil, and can withstand occasional droughts.

Propagation

Aloe vera is generally propagated by division. Numerous offsets appear at the base of the main rosettes, and are fairly easy to root.