BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Aloe
• Genus: Aloe
• Species: vera
• Skill Level: beginner
• Exposure: full sun
• Hardiness: tender
• Soil type: well-drained/light
• Height: 0.6m
• Time to divide plants: June to August

This easy-to-grow succulent forms dense clumps of fleshy, light green leaves with soft toothed margins. Spikes of tubular yellow to orange flowers appear in summer, but rarely in the UK. It is best grown as a houseplant in the UK. Grow in a mixture of loam-based John Innes No 2 compost with additional sand or perlite for increased drainage. Apply a balanced liquid feed during the growing season and reduce watering in the winter. It should be kept at a temperature no lower than 10 degrees C. It has been given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is for plants of outstanding excellence.