Aloe vera

Description

Aloe vera is known worldwide for its healing and soothing properties in salves, creams, and shampoo. It is an attractive clumping species that grows 18-24 in. tall with long pale green leaves that have toothed margins. It develops a distinctive upright habit. Colorful light to deep yellow flowers develop high above the foliage on branched stalks in spring.

In addition to its many garden uses, this popular plant is often grown by homeowners for the sticky sap to treat minor burns and insect bites. Good in containers and tolerant of heat, sun, aridity and drought. This easy to grow succulent is widely used in southwestern style gardens, in containers, raised planter and parkways.

Plant Type: Aloe
Foliage Character: Succulent, Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Spreading, Dense, Clumping
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun, Partial sun
Function: Residential spaces, Near pools and water features, Hummingbird plant, Grouped, Culinary use, Container plant, Commercial spaces, Borders
Height: 18 in. – 24 in.
Width: 3′ then offsets to form a larger clump – 24 in.

Watering Schedule: Low 2

For most situations, we recommend watering deeply every 2 weeks after establishment.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.
If it rains over 1” you will likely not need to water for at least another two weeks. Before watering again, check the soil. It should be significantly dry at least 4” below the soil surface before watering.
To save water, in many cases you can go longer in between waterings during the winter, often up to 3-4 weeks between watering for well-established plants. Two weeks after watering, check the soil approximately 4” below the surface. If it is still significantly moist, you can wait longer before watering again.
In most cases, if you have a “smart timer” or weather sensitive irrigation controller, you may use these features to save some water in in the fall and winter. If you are using automatic weather adjusting functions, continue to allow the timer to run every two weeks. It will adjust the number of minutes it runs to account for the cooler weather.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system.