Houseplants · Plant Care Aloe Vera: The Easy Plant With a Thousand Uses How to grow it, keep it alive, multiply it, and use its gel safely, plus where the world's aloe really comes from. Aloe vera is one of the most popular houseplants in the world, and for good reason. It looks great, forgives beginners, and holds a cooling gel inside its leaves. In Brazil it's called babosa , in Spain sábila , and in Germany Echte Aloe . Grandmothers everywhere keep one on the windowsill for sunburn and small kitchen burns. The problem: many aloe plants slowly die from too much love, usually too much water and too little light. This guide shows you how to keep yours healthy for years. What Is Aloe Vera? Aloe vera ( Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a succulent: a plant that stores water in thick, fleshy leaves so it can survive long droughts. It most likely comes from the Arabian Peninsula, but it has been grown across North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the tropics for so long th...
Practical growing guides, plant care tips, and seasonal advice for home gardeners of every experience level, from backyard beginners to seasoned green thumbs.