Buy Barbados aloe ( syn. Aloe barbadensis ) Aloe vera

Aloe vera

Position: bright but indirect light
Soil: good potting compost, well drained
Rate of growth: slow
Flowering period: early summer generally
Hardiness: tender (indoors only)
Current height: approximately 30cm (+ or - 10% including the pot)
Pot cover: choose a 14cm pot cover to give a good fit over the pot

Often known as Aloe barbadensis, the first aid plant or medicinal aloe, for years it has been grown for its healing properties, now often being used in cosmetics and alternative medicine. An evergreen succulent with fleshy leaves and thick serrated edges grows from a stemless rosette. This low-maintenance houseplant can, if you are lucky, produce a greenish-yellow tubular flower in early summer, but really it is the simple striking leaves that it is grown for in the home.

Please note that the pot in the photograph is not supplied with the plant (which is sent out in a simple nursery pot). They do however make excellent potted plants, and if you wish to pot yours up, we do have a wide range of pots on our website to choose from.
Home care: Water moderately when growing, and sparingly when dormant through the winter months. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser 2-3 times during the growing season.