Aloe vera flower medicinal properties and how to care for it. Aloe: care at home Aloe plant how to care

Description of aloe . The genus contains more than 300 species of succulents, as well as hybrids, small and large, rosette plants. These are evergreen perennials, shrubs or small trees with a very modest root system.

Aloe or agave are slow-growing succulents found primarily in the African bush and vary in size and shape. Many of them have fleshy, thick leaves with hooked teeth or spines, even in the middle of the leaf. The thorns vary in size and shape depending on the variety of aloe. Leaf color ranges from green to blue-green, with some aloes even being reddish in color. Variegated forms have blotches, spots, or stripes on the leaves. The leaves reach 30 - 60 cm in length and 5 - 8 cm in width.

Aloe shoots a tall, slender peduncle up to 90 cm high from the center of the rosette; it can be branched. Flowers vary in size but are generally tubular and range in color from white to bright red, yellow and orange. Seeds are produced in dry capsules as soon as the flowers disappear. Aloe domestica blooms only 3 to 4 years after planting, but its flowers have a pleasant sweetish aroma. For flowering, it is necessary to keep aloe in a warm period of time in the open air and provide the plant with sufficient quantity sunlight in room.

Aloe indoors is a long-lived indoor plant that lives up to its popular name - agave, and its juice has an amazing healing effect when rubbed into wounds, bruises and even hair. It can also be used to relieve pain from burns. Aloe is already cultivated for a long time and is acclimatized in many countries of the world, where it is used both in medicine and in cosmetics.

Height. Up to 1 m.

1. Aloe at home

1.1. Air humidity

Very undemanding plant, fairly dry air will do. If your aloe plant is kept cool during the fall and winter months, the air around it should be dry. Aloe does not need spraying, and the ingress of water droplets into the leaf rosette can cause rot.

1.2. Watering aloe

The plant is a succulent; its leaves contain up to 96 percent water; it tolerates drought well. Be sure to dry the substrate between waterings. In winter, water very rarely and each time make sure that droplets of moisture do not fall into the rosette of leaves - the plant will rot. Low varieties can be watered by immersing the pot completely in a large container of water at room temperature. Of course, excess moisture from the pan should be drained immediately after watering. In spring and summer, when the plant is actively developing, it is worth watering so that between waterings the soil dries to a depth of about 2 - 3 cm. In some species, during prolonged drought, the edges of the leaves begin to curl - this sign will be a signal for the need for regular watering in the winter months. For irrigation, use only well-settled water at room temperature.

1.3.Aloe propagation

Leaf cuttings with a petiole can be rooted quite easily in spring or summer at a temperature of about 20 ° C, but be sure to dry them out for several days before planting. Sprinkle the cut area with crushed charcoal before drying. Leaf cuttings are placed in the substrate to a depth of no more than 2 cm.

Stem and apical cuttings are separated from mother plant so that each cutting has 4 - 5 leaves. The lower leaves from rooted stem or apical cuttings should be removed - this way they can be planted in wet sand at a greater depth, which, in turn, will allow for a stronger root system and reduce the area of moisture evaporation. Remove leaves by tearing them off with your hands - in this case, the plant does not have any residue left sheet plates, capable of rotting. Wound surfaces are treated with crushed charcoal and dried in a dark place.

Water very sparingly, but without drying out the substrate, rooting takes a long time - about a month. The successful completion of rooting will be indicated by small young leaves appearing on the cuttings. For young plants, the air temperature should be above 20 ° C - when placed in cool conditions, plants die quickly. Also for propagation, small daughter plants are used - babies, which sometimes appear near the mother plant. Such root shoots are separated with a sharp sterile instrument when they have their own root system. Rooting can be done in a regular glass of boiled water. Remember that young plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

For patient plant growers, for whom it is important to observe the entire process of plant development from the very beginning, propagation using seeds is suitable. Seeds are sown in the ground in the spring - when the plant is ready to develop - they are planted in a loose, moistened substrate and covered with a layer of earth about 2 cm thick. To maintain uniform humidity, the container with seedlings is covered transparent film or glass. With the appearance of the first shoots, the shelter can be removed. Young plants are kept in a warm place at a temperature of at least 21° C, shaded from direct sunlight.

1.4.Transplanting aloe

As the pot fills, indoor aloe plants are planted in a container of slightly larger diameter in the spring or early summer. The need for replanting can be indicated by roots that appear in the drainage holes of the pot. Young plants are replanted annually, adult specimens - once every 2 - 3 years. For planting, select a slightly cramped pot with large drainage holes, the diameter of which should be half the length of the leaves. Strongly overgrown specimens are difficult to remove from the pot - such plants can be soaked in warm water for 1 - 2 hours, and before planting in a new pot, lightly dry the root system in air.

The walls of plastic pots with an earthen lump tightly entwined with roots are lightly kneaded with your hands. The root system is carefully cleaned of old soil and the plant is placed in a new container at the same depth at which it was previously located. When planting a plant, it is worth placing enough thick layer drainage from brick chips, polystyrene foam or expanded clay, and the soil around the stem should be lightly compacted with your fingertips to remove air pockets. Instead of replanting, you can use gentle transshipment - preserving the lump of earth and root system - simply sprinkling the plant with fresh soil around the edges. After transplanting into fresh soil, stop watering for 7 - 10 days and place the plants in shade from direct sunlight. sun rays. When transplanting, old and rotten roots are cut off with a sharp sterile instrument.

1.5.Soil

Any suitable soil for cacti and succulents with a slightly acidic or neutral pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.0 and adding plenty of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage. The composition of the soil may include turf and light leaf soil, peat. A small amount can be added to the growing soil. charcoal- this will disinfect the substrate and make it looser.

1.6. Growing temperature

Aloe indoors are plants that are tolerant to any temperature in living spaces. Optimal temperature 21 - 26 ° C, tolerates drops to 10 ° C well. Aloe does not like extreme heat at home; wintering should take place in a cool place with a temperature of about 12 ° C. A cool winter is very important for flowering to occur.

1.7. Lighting

Prefers very bright light, but not direct sunlight. In autumn and winter, in the absence of a dormant period, the plant may need additional lighting fluorescent lamps. Do not move plants from indoors to open sun right away - let the leaves gradually adapt to the change in lighting.

1.8.Pests and diseases

Most often, the content of aloe in room conditions does not cause any particular difficulties. Plants can be affected by mealybugs. Inspect the leaves regularly for these pests, and if the plant appears weak, remove the top 1 to 3 cm of substrate and make sure the roots are not affected. The reason for the appearance of leaves that are too small and narrow may be that the pot is too cramped - separate the children from the adult plant when replanting.

Cause of dry brown spots The leaves may be sunburned, especially if the plant is placed in the sun immediately after watering. The cause of leaf wilting is overwatering, especially in cool conditions. A reddish tint appears on the leaves when exposed to excess light; the leaves turn pale when grown in the shade. Pale leaves indicate a lack of light - move the plant to a brighter place.

Tall species lose their lower leaves with age and become less attractive. The tops of such plants are cut off and, after preliminary drying, they are rooted in wet sand. The cut area can be sprinkled with crushed coal. Also, when transplanting large specimens, you can simply bury them in the ground so that the bare trunk at the base is not visible. Aloe easily rots with excessive watering in the cold season. It is quite difficult to save rotten plants - it will be much easier to root the top or leaf cuttings.

1.9.Feeding

In spring and summer, during the growth period, fertilize at half concentration once every two weeks. In autumn and winter, when the plant is resting, no fertilizing is carried out. Remember that aloe is a succulent and stores a large supply of moisture and nutrients in its thick leaves. If you plan to use aloe juice for medicinal purposes, then of course you should only use organic fertilizers. Fertilizer is applied only on wet soil - after watering. If a nutrient solution gets on the roots in a dry substrate, it can cause a burn.

1.10.Blossom

Blooming aloe in cultivation is a rather rare phenomenon; flowering occurs only in the presence of a good light source.

1.11.Care, pinching

Aloe plants are undemanding in care and are suitable for beginning flower growers. It is important to provide them good drainage and enough sun. Promptly remove flower stalks and old leaves after flowering. Tall varieties often require support to grow well. Take the plants to Fresh air in the warm season, using shelter from the rain. Some tall species require pinching to form a compact beautiful plant or in a support for vertical development. Pruning of long stems is carried out in the spring, with the beginning of new growth, and old, drying leaves are also promptly removed. Wipe the leaves with a slightly damp sponge from time to time to remove dust.

1.12.Purpose

An aloe flower in a pot is a decorative foliage showy plant, and aloe juice has many beneficial properties and is widely used in cosmetology and folk medicine. The juice of the plant has many beneficial and medicinal properties. Aloe with honey and lemon strengthens the immune system and is used as an expectorant.

Note. Aloe juice, and especially aloe vera, has many medicinal properties and is used in cosmetic lotions, creams, ointments, and shampoos. It is believed that Cleopatra used it. Agave juice has tonic, bactericidal, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties - there are many recipes for its use, but there are also contraindications. For respiratory diseases, aloe juice is taken orally mixed with honey; in addition, the plant juice can strengthen the immune system and increases the number of red blood cells in the blood - it is used for anemia.

The plant is poisonous to cats and dogs. Amazing feature of this plant is that its juice is used for rooting cuttings and for soaking seeds of other plants - this is the percentage of rooting and seed germination. The plant has phytoncidal properties and is capable of killing pathogenic microorganisms in the air, and in addition, it very effectively cleanses the atmosphere of harmful gases such as formaldehyde.

2. Types of aloe:

2.1. Aloe tree - Aloe arborescens

The most common species in indoor culture, with long, very juicy, green or bluish leaves. Almost 99% of aloe leaves consist of water. Along the edges of the leaves there are short but strong spines. In the natural environment, this species blooms with large pink or red flowers located at the tops of peduncles, but at home, flowering rarely occurs.

Aloe white

There are no pure white varieties of aloe yet, but there are several subspecies whose leaves have light shades, as close as possible to white, these are, for example, Somali aloe - Aloe somaliensis, short-leaved aloe - Aloe brevifolia, Aloe Descoingsii - Aloe descoingsii and Aloe dhufarensis.

Aloe variegata (Tiger Aloe)

Small succulent evergreen, forming a rosette or large, succulent, triangular, sessile leaves. The leaves are painted in a dark green shade with transverse light stripes and a light border along the edge of the leaf blades. During the flowering period, it produces tall erect peduncles, on top of which there are many pinkish-red tubular flowers with small petals.

Aloe ferox

In its natural environment it reaches 2 - 3 m in height. Based on the name, it becomes clear that this subspecies is equipped with strong spines, and they grow not only on the ribs, but also in the center of the leaves. The leaves are oblong - triangular, green, with a bluish waxy coating; in bright light they acquire a pinkish - purple tint. The peduncles are borne on the tops of inflorescences - candles, which contain a very large number of orange flowers with a long floral tube.

Aloe Barbados or Aloe vera - Aloe vera

familiar to all of us agave. Is a succulent evergreen shrub up to 1 m high. The stem bears long, juicy, light green leaves with spines on the ribs, arranged in a spiral. Young leaves sometimes have lighter or darker spots on their surface, but these disappear with age. When kept in direct sunlight, the edges of the leaves become pinkish. It is widely used in medicine and cosmetology.

Aloe multifolia, living in the mountains of Lesotho at an altitude of about 2500 m above sea level, tolerates frost and snow cover for quite a long time. U aloe bulbiferous in the lower part of the inflorescence, instead of flowers, “bulbs” develop, which also serve for vegetative propagation.

2.2. Aloe albiflora - Aloe albiflora

Compact succulent with thick, succulent, long leaves, collected in a basal rosette. The leaves are almost rolled into a tube, dark-colored green color with light green or yellowish specks. When grown in a well-lit place, the leaves appear burgundy. The edges of the leaves are equipped with small, sharp, light-colored teeth. The peduncles are thin, erect, often branched towards the apex, 30 - 35 cm high. The flowers are white, bell-shaped, drooping, with a thin greenish stripe in the center of the petals, reaching 1 cm in diameter.

2.3. protruding - Aloe squarrosa

An attractive decorative foliage succulent that develops a thick, often drooping stem with age. The leaves are broadly triangular, thick, juicy, colored green or dark green with small light specks, reaching a length of 8 cm. Small light spikes form along the edges of the leaves, and sometimes right in the center. Peduncles are leafless, thin, 10 - 20 cm high. The flowers are small, tubular, orange with greenish tips.

2.4. Aloe cap-shaped - Aloe mitriformis

An amazing plant that, with age, forms long lodging, branched stems up to 2 m long, and the plants develop quite quickly. The leaves are thick, succulent, triangular, green or pinkish, sessile. On the edges of the leaves there are rows of short thick spines of white or yellowish color. Peduncles are thin, leafless, branched towards the apex. The flowers are tubular and salmon-colored with brown or gray tips. Flowering is very abundant.

2.5. Aloe beautiful - Aloe bellatula

Small stemless succulents that form basal leaf rosettes with long, dark green, almost curled leaves. The surface of the leaves is covered with small light specks. The edges of the leaves have small white teeth. The flowers are tubular, coral, on the tops of thin, erect peduncles.

2.6. Aloe Descoingsii - Aloe descoingsii

The smallest stemless species of aloe with widely triangular, thick, fleshy leaves collected in basal rosettes. The leaves are dark green, often with small light specks, reaching a length of 4 cm. Peduncles are leafless, erect, 12 - 18 cm high, each capable of bearing up to 15 bright, orange, tubular flowers.

2.7. Aloe plicatilis - Aloe plicatilis

Very spectacular succulents that, with age, form thick, powerful, branched trunks covered with brownish-gray bark. In its natural habitat, this species reaches a height of 3 - 5 m. The leaves are belt-shaped, juicy, flat, green, often covered with a bluish waxy coating. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and reach a length of 30 cm. The peduncles are thick, short, powerful, and bear tubular orange flowers at the tops.

2.8. Aloe haworthioides - Aloe haworthioides

Low-growing, attractive succulent plants that form basal rosettes of thick, succulent, triangular leaves, colored in dark green or brownish shades. The height of the plant does not exceed 10 cm. The leaves are abundantly covered with long, thin, often curved, light-colored cilia. Each rosette is capable of producing several erect peduncles with bright, orange flowers.

2.9. Aloe shortleaf - Aloe Brevifolia

Miniature succulents with thick, triangular leaves gathered in basal rosettes. With age, this species forms low, thick stems. The leaves are triangular, green, often covered with a bluish waxy coating. On the edges of the leaves there are short, thick teeth. The leaves of some specimens can acquire a pinkish tint. The peduncles are tall, erect, forming long, tubular, orange flowers at the top.

2.10. Aloe juvenile - Aloe juvenna

Succulent plants with long, lodging stems branched at the base, up to 30 cm high. Thick, succulent leaves are triangular in shape and abundantly cover the stems. In appearance, the leaves of this plant resemble faucaria. The shade of the leaves will depend on the degree of illumination - when grown in partial shade, the leaves will remain green with small white specks; in direct sunlight, the plant acquires a delicate pinkish tint. The small, light-colored teeth along the edges of the leaves appear sharp, but are actually soft. During the flowering period, tall peduncles with many tubular, salmon-green flowers appear at the tops of the shoots.

2.11. Aloe spiral - Aloe polyphylla

Stemless plants that form a very impressive, symmetrical, basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are succulent, green, triangular, arranged in a spiral. Often the surface of the leaves is covered with a bluish waxy coating. Interesting feature plants is that the leaves can be arranged either clockwise or counterclockwise. The edges of the leaf blades are equipped with small greenish teeth, and at the tops of the leaves there are already sharp brownish teeth. In spring or early summer, the plants produce flower stalks with tubular red or salmon-colored flowers.

2.12. Aloe rauhii - Aloe rauhii

A beautiful decorative foliage plant that forms a leaf rosette with a diameter of 10 to 20 cm. With age, some plants can form low stems. The leaves are thick, juicy, sessile. Young leaves are dark green with small silvery specks on the surface. With age, when grown in direct sunlight, the leaves may take on a pinkish or purple hue. During the summer months, the plant can grace itself with an erect, tall flower stalk bearing tubular salmon-colored flowers.

2.13. Aloe Marlothii - Aloe marlothii

In their natural habitat, these plants can form tall stems bearing the remains of old leaves and in this case their appearance will resemble yucca. Very large succulents with thick, fleshy leaves that can reach a length of 1.5 m. The leaves are narrowly triangular, green, often covered with a blue waxy coating. When grown with good lighting some plants may take on a bright orange or pink hue. In the warm season, the most gorgeous branched inflorescences with many orange or yellow flowers appear.

2.14. Aloe spinous - Aloe Aristata

An evergreen dwarf species that is a stemless leaf rosette resembling a haworthia. The leaves are dark green, triangular, up to 15 cm long, covered with small light tubercles. Old leaves at the base of the plant may take on a pinkish-bronze hue. The entire surface of the leaves is covered with small light spines. The vertical flower stalks bear a multitude of bright orange flowers at the tops.

2.15. Soap aloe - Aloe saponaria

An evergreen perennial plant forming rosettes of thick, broadly triangular leaves of dark green color. Light green or bluish specks run across the leaf blades. When grown in full sun, the leaves may turn pinkish-red. Vertical flower stalks reach a height of 90 cm and bear tubular coral flowers at the top.

There are very attractive forms of Aloe variegata with light spots or red-violet leaves, some varieties are distinguished by the presence of a large number of long white or even pink spines.

3. To summarize - 7 secrets of success:

Growing temperature: summer - 20 - 27° C, winter - it is advisable to provide a cool rest period at a temperature of about 10° C.
Lighting: the plant is very light-loving.
Watering and air humidity: dry the substrate a few centimeters deep between waterings; in winter, reduce the frequency of watering according to the room temperature.
Peculiarities: aloe has many beneficial properties and is used in folk medicine and cosmetology, and is easily grown by novice gardeners. Tall plants need support.
Priming: Well drained, slightly acidic pH.
Top dressing: a highly diluted solution of fertilizer for succulent plants 2 times a month in the warm season.
Reproduction: sheet or apical cuttings, less often - seeds.

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Aloe has been revered as a sacred plant since ancient times. Egyptologists discover images of him on the walls of tombs. European history connects this plant with the goddess of love, Venus. Residents of African tribes use it in magical rituals.
This article will give a description of aloe, talk about the types and how agave differs from aloe vera, what beneficial properties and contraindications these plants have, how to use them, grow them at home and store them for future use.

European history connects aloe with the goddess of love, Venus.

The Aloe genus is part of the Asphodelaceae family and has over five hundred species. perennial plants. Among them there are mainly herbaceous representatives, but shrubby and even tree-like forms can also be found. All of them - succulents and xerophytes that easily tolerate dry conditions.

The stems of plants of this genus are not very tall. Aloe leaves accumulate moisture, so they are always thick, fleshy, oblong in shape, often have jagged edges, sharp spines or cilia, although they may also have a smooth edge. The leaves cover the shoot in a spiral and form dense rosettes.

The aloe flower is small, tubular, red, yellow, orange, and white. Numerous flowers are collected in a raceme inflorescence, moving away from the ground on a long peduncle. The fruit is a triangular capsule filled with numerous dark gray flying seeds.

The Aloe genus includes over five hundred species of perennial plants.

The homeland of aloe is the west of the Arabian Peninsula and the islands of Barbados and Curacao, from where later active participation The human race spread across continents.

Today in the wild, representatives of this ancient family can be found in Africa and on nearby islands, in South America.

Common types of aloe

One of the most common representatives is aloe vera, or aloe vera. The densely branched shoots of this plant bear light green sword-shaped leaves. In the 16th century, this species began to be actively cultivated on the island of Barbados, for which the plant received the name Aloe Barbados. The grayish-green leaves of this ornamental aloe are distinguished by a pale pink border. Barbadensis is also known for its medicinal properties.
Treelike - unpretentious plant, characterized by rapid growth and tree-like shape. It can reach a height of several meters, and the edges of its leaves are “decorated” with thorns. Often used in indoor floriculture. It is popularly called agave because... it is believed that the flowering of this species can be observed only once per century.
Aristata (or aristata) is a compact bush-like plant whose leaves form an attractive hemispherical shape. In addition to over a hundred decorative leaves speckled with white, this species boasts showy orange inflorescences on a long stalk.

Variegated is distinguished by its modest size: the shrub reaches a height of up to 30 cm. Its peculiarity lies in the decorative two-color triangular leaves. Due to the presence of stripes on the leaves, the plant received other names: tiger or striped. In spring, it is additionally decorated with eye-catching inflorescences of red or bright orange.
The intimidating plant is so named due to the numerous thorns framing the massive leaves on both sides. Up to three meters high, the stem can bear both green and pale red leaves. Highly valued for its pharmaceutical properties.
Marlotta, capable of forming thickets up to 4 m high in its natural environment, has a much more modest size in cultivation. Thick, fleshy leaves of a silver-blue hue are covered with red-brown teeth and collected in a tight rosette. Large orange or yellow inflorescences bloom on a long (up to 80 cm) peduncle.
Haworthia forms not one, but several small (up to 5 cm) stemless rosettes. Long, thin, pointed leaves covered with numerous spines and bristles white. If certain conditions are met, the plant pleases the grower with graceful flowers of pastel shades on a peduncle 20-30 cm long.
Acute is a shrub with oblong, grey-green, pointed leaves characterized by jagged edges. The spike-shaped inflorescence bears narrow-tubular buds of red shades.

Chemical composition, medicinal properties and harm

The active substances that make up aloe juice have given this plant the fame of a miracle flower. The table shows the nutrients and the medicinal properties due to their content.

Substance	Medicinal properties
Anthraglycosides	They have noticeable laxative, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties
Phytosterols	Reduce cholesterol levels and have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system
Organic acids	Promote intestinal health: prevent rotting, normalize the composition of microflora
Tannins	Have anti-inflammatory effect, bactericidal and hemostatic properties
Flavonoids	They are bioregulators and provide an increase in the body’s adaptive abilities; have disinfectant properties
Catechin (belongs to the group of flavonoids)	Has an antihistamine effect, helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels
Provitamin A (carotenoids)	Provides normalization of fat metabolism, lowers cholesterol levels, and also affects the sensitivity of the retina
Minerals and trace elements (the most significant content is calcium, magnesium and sodium)	Affects the normalization of metabolic processes, strengthening the immune system

Like all medicinal products, preparations of this plant have contraindications. In addition to individual intolerance, contraindications include pregnancy and lactation.

Collection, preparation and storage

The maximum concentration of beneficial compounds in the leaves is achieved by 3-5 years of growth. The lower and middle leaves of aloe are carefully separated from the trunk, because Damaging or cutting them will result in loss of juice. During the growing season, it is possible to collect 2-3 raw materials from each plant. The main product of leaf processing is juice.

It is allowed to store fresh juice in containers made of opaque glass or preserving it with alcohol.

Often, all medicinal forms of aloe are made from biostimulated leaves. Placing the leaf in harsh conditions (chilling) leads to biochemical changes in the tissues. As a result, the leaf forms and accumulates nutrients, the use of which awakens the vital functions of the patient.

Juice is the main product of leaf processing.

Application of aloe juice

Aloe juice is obtained from the leaves, the use of which helps in the treatment of a wide range of diseases of the skin and mucous membranes:

Burns;
Acne;
Eczema;
Cracks;
Psoriasis;
Epitheliomas;
Trophic ulcers;
Radiation damage to the skin;
Herpetic rashes.

Foci of inflammation are lubricated with fresh juice 5-6 times a day or lotions are applied.
Juice electrophoresis is used for ophthalmological diseases.
Gardeners also readily use the juice of this plant: soaking seeds in 50% juice increases their germination capacity and speeds up germination.

Cosmetic properties of juice

The juice of this xerophyte also has a beneficial effect on the skin: it normalizes the water balance in tissues, promotes hydration, and evens out the complexion. A good effect is observed if you wipe your face with fresh, preferably biostimulated juice, or facial products prepared on its basis.

Thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe can become an indispensable assistant in the fight against acne. A face mask for acne based on juice will help eliminate sebaceous plugs, treat inflammation and redness on the skin.

Aloe leaf, due to the properties of its juice, draws out pus and foreign objects from the body.

The juice of this plant is a well-known folk remedy for stretch marks and sunburn. In both cases, it can be used both in pure form and as part of cosmetics.
The use of aloe for hair is also popular: the juice of this plant has a beneficial effect on hair follicles, can stimulate hair growth, strengthen roots, moisturize, nourish and protect the scalp from drying out, and give shine and softness to hair.

In order to squeeze out the juice, you must thoroughly rinse bottom sheet cut into small pieces, place them in cheesecloth and squeeze by pressing: manually or using a press.

Aloe is a plant that combines decorative and medicinal properties and is ideally suited for indoor floriculture. The most popular varieties for growing are aloe vera and aloe vera. Caring for aloe at home does not require a lot of effort and skills, so this flower is suitable even for beginners. Aloe mix is gaining more and more popularity - different types of the same kind are placed in one container. Due to similar growing conditions, this arrangement simplifies care, and different plants, collected together, emphasize each other's individuality.

The most popular varieties for growing are aloe vera and aloe vera.

Suitable for growing this succulent is one designed for cacti. soil mixture. You can make your own soil, but it is important to remember that you need soil with low acidity. The plant requires good lighting and loves bright sun, but is unpretentious in terms of temperature regime(withstands temperature fluctuations ranging from 13 to 26°C).

Aloe is watered as the soil dries out. For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature. Overwatering threatens root rot and plant death. Leaves must be cleaned of dust without spraying.

There are several ways to propagate this plant. The traditional method of propagation for plants - by seeds - requires a significant time investment, and therefore vegetative methods of propagation have become much more widespread: planting shoots, propagation by cuttings or the tip of a shoot.

The deep root system and rapid growth rate necessitate regular replanting. It is not recommended to apply fertilizers within 6 months after transplantation. Then you can fertilize more often, but no more than once a month. They use special preparations for succulents, but it is worth remembering that mineral supplements may negatively affect the medicinal properties of the plant. The best choice in this case, biological drugs.

Aloe requires good light and loves bright sun

Recipes

For gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, gastritis, enteritis), take 1 tsp of juice. 2-3 times a day before meals.
It also saves you from a runny nose if you drop 3-5 drops of juice into your nose.
Tincture:
At home, to preserve juice, you can prepare aloe juice in alcohol using 70% alcohol in a ratio of 4 parts juice to 1 part alcohol.
Aloe for immunity:
Fresh aloe juice - 150 ml, honey - 250 g, Cahors - 350 ml. Mix the ingredients and take 1 tbsp orally. 3 times a day before meals.
Lotions for barley:
Finely chop a small leaf (about 5-6 g), pour one glass of cold boiled water, leave for 7-8 hours, pass through cheesecloth or a fine sieve. Use with a cotton pad.

Question answer

Is aloe a cactus?
Sometimes on the Internet you can find the statement that aloe is a “medicinal cactus”. This opinion is wrong. Aloe, like most types of cacti, belongs to the group of succulents - they have the ability to accumulate moisture in their tissues, are resistant to dry conditions and often have spines. However, these plants are located far from each other in the taxonomic tree, because belong to different classes.

What is the difference between agave and aloe?
Agave is the “folk” name of one of the species of the genus. This is what is commonly called tree aloe, but the genus is not limited to just this species (see above). It would be incorrect to call any aloe agave.

Is it possible to eat aloe raw?
Can. The leaves of this plant are found on sale in some organic food supermarkets. Before eating them, it is advisable to cut off the thorns and peel.

How often to water aloe?
As the soil dries out. In summer this happens once every 2-3 days, and in winter - once every 2 weeks.

Aloe has the ability to accumulate moisture in tissues

How to propagate aloe vegetatively?
To do this, you will need healthy shoots without damage. Best time for their collection and reproduction - summer. Cut into 10 cm pieces, the shoots are sprinkled with coal and dried in the shade. Then you need to plant them without roots in damp sand, pressing them slightly. Both drying out and waterlogging should not be allowed. After rooting, the plants are transplanted into the ground.
Sometimes an adult bush produces shoots. In this case, when transplanting, you should transplant the shoot into a separate pot.

Why do the tips of aloe leaves dry out?
The most common reason is that the pot is too small. It can be eliminated by transplanting the plant into a larger container. Drying of leaves can also be caused by:
Lack of sunlight, to which the plant is very sensitive. The best solution is to place the flower on the windowsill on the south or southeast side.
Lack of nutrients. In this case, the plant requires feeding.

There is a myth that aloe grows in any conditions. But this is only a myth, because aloe, like any other plant, loves care and attention, it needs its own special conditions.

Yes, it can grow in an old pot, without replanting for four years, without regular watering. But its appearance will suffer, the leaves will be lethargic, inconspicuous, the trunk will be thin and branching.

This happened to me: it seemed to me that aloe was so unpretentious that I could completely forget about it and focus on other plants, more interesting ones. As a result, my flower became depressed: the bottom of the trunk darkened, the leaves rotted, and the plant began to look completely unattractive!

I realized that it was time to change something. I studied the properties of aloe and found out that this plant can actually survive on northern windows, but it will not be good for it. Still, this flower comes from the desert, so the more sun there is in its life, the better! I took cuttings from my dying aloe, planted it in a new high-quality pot and placed it on the southern windows.

As a result, I received a medicinal plant, the appearance of which causes only admiration! Yes, aloe can look great, its decorative properties also on high level, but only if we are talking about a healthy plant. So let's take a fresh look at this beautiful representative of the genus of succulents! Let's study its properties and breeding requirements.

In addition, it is important to be able to distinguish between ordinary aloe (agagave, aloe vera) and aloe vera. In this article I will share with you information on how to care for aloe at home.

Agave (or tree aloe) is a plant familiar to many, which was especially popular among gardeners 10-20 years ago. This plant comes from Africa, from the desert regions of Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

In the homeland of aloe there is always bright sun and it rarely rains. Life-loving succulents are remarkably adapted to such amazing conditions: they do not require much moisture, they grow on sand under the scorching sun, where there is neither shade nor shelter from the wind. The soft parts of the plant have learned to store moisture to survive periods of drought.

The succulent has long, fleshy leaves with small spines. There is also separate species- aloe vera, but its characteristics are similar to agave (aloe vera).

Breeding conditions

Caring for a home aloe plant is not difficult: the plant is very tenacious, it is not demanding on growing conditions, does not require much water and grows on the poorest soil.

But for some reason, despite all the beneficial properties of the succulent and the ease of growing, now it can be found less and less often on windowsills. Is the fashion for aloe gone? Or have there been many other types of houseplants that look much more attractive?

The simple fact is that many people do not know how to properly care for aloe. After all, this plant is not only useful, but also beautiful. To make it look attractive, you need to follow only three basic rules:

High illumination (south side of the house)
Poor watering
Timely transplant

Reproduction

A healthy plant produces many “babies” that can be seen on the trunk. “Children” are very hardy, they take root easily, which indicates the extraordinary vitality of the plant.

I still advise you to choose a shoot that has two or three leaves, and not just a tiny one. If the length of the “baby” reaches 5 cm, consider that a new aloe is already on your windowsill! Such a shoot will definitely take root.

First place the cuttings in water, after a while you will see young roots: this is a sign that it is time to plant the young aloe in the soil.

Which soil is better to buy? Surprisingly, but true: aloe will grow in any soil. But if you want the plant not only to survive, but to grow strong, beautiful, and healthy, purchase a specialized mixture for succulents.

After transplanting, it is better to water the young shoots more often: a couple of times a week. After it grows up, it will be possible to switch to the “drought” mode. Don’t forget, aloe is a really useful medicinal plant; its juice can be successfully used during a runny nose or for skin problems.

Aloe care depending on the season

Like all houseplants, aloe prefers to be cared for differently depending on the time of year.

If it’s spring or summer outside, the plant needs more moisture. Remember to water your aloe at least once a week. As soon as the cold weather arrives, the succulent falls asleep. Watering should be done less frequently; here you need to monitor the condition of the earthen clod: water only when the soil becomes completely dry.

From spring to late summer, the plant is fertilized, perfect option– specialized fertilizer for cacti. Aloe reacts well to tea leaves, the main thing is not to overdo it with tea, otherwise midges may appear in the dry tea leaves that have accumulated on the surface of the soil.

In summer, it is advisable to move the plant from the south window to the north, east or west side.

What to do if aloe turns yellow or darkens

Change the window sill, try changing the direction of the window.
Reduce (or increase) watering depending on soil conditions.
Cancel feeding (if you actively fed the plant).
Place the plant in a brighter room.
Remove the flower from the draft.
Repot the plant regularly.
Do not water aloe with cold water.
Wash aloe leaves if they become dusty.
Don't forget to loosen the soil regularly.

The aloe flower is considered one of the most unpretentious succulents grown in indoor floriculture. Treelike, or agave, is familiar to many from childhood. The plant lived on the windowsills of many city apartments and rural houses and always turned out to be a reliable first assistant if someone in the family was injured - a cut or abrasion.

It seemed that the aloe was growing on its own; it didn’t need any care at home - I watered it and replanted it. However, ignorance of the basic rules for maintaining a medicinal perennial can cause serious damage to it, or even completely destroy it.
How to properly care for aloe at home? It is necessary to sort it out in order so as not to lose this useful indoor flower.

Features of planting a medicinal plant

Aloe is grown in wide and low clay flower containers. The root system of the succulent is small, and the above-ground part is fleshy and heavy due to the thick leaves; narrow pots easily tip over under the weight of the plant.

The perennial is vulnerable to excess moisture, and in a ceramic or clay vessel, water evaporates faster than in a plastic one. That is why preference is given to these materials, although many gardeners plant the plant in a plastic container, but the watering regime is adjusted taking into account what the pot is made of.

A generous portion of sand is always added to the substrate for planting aloe; the plant prefers loose soils that can not retain, but quickly transmit moisture. In addition to the fertile component - turf and leaf soil, add vermiculite or perlite, as well as pieces of charcoal.

During planting, the perennial is placed in a pot so that the root collar is flush with the surface of the soil, not deeply buried in the substrate, since with such planting it easily rots. The area around the trunk is mulched with small stones - this protects against moisture stagnation around the most vulnerable part of the plant.

Aloe conditions

The succulent is very light-loving. The most illuminated place in the apartment is chosen for it, as a rule, it is the window sill of a south window. The plant is not even afraid of direct sunlight, under which its leaves acquire a slightly pinkish tint or have a bluish coating.

Of course, it is still better to protect it from strong sunshine in 30-degree heat, but an air temperature of 22-26 degrees above zero is quite comfortable for aloe. However, the state of rest in winter period the flower prefers to be transferred to cooler conditions - approximately 16-18 degrees Celsius, not lower than 10 degrees. The cooler the room where the aloe is located, the less often it needs to be watered.

Aloe care

At home, the plant is not picky and does not make any special demands on itself. The main thing is not to fill it too much, but also not to overdry it, stick to what is reasonable. In summer, aloe is usually watered once a week, in winter, when the succulent is at rest, once a month.

How to water a plant

Watering from above is used with caution, watering along the wall of the vessel, and not under the very root collar. You should be careful not to get water inside the rosette of leaves. If, due to carelessness, moisture still gets deep into the axils of the leaves, you need to thoroughly blot it with a dry cloth.

Watering from below into a tray is more suitable for the plant. The succulent itself will take as much water as it needs, but the rest must be drained. Stagnation of water in the pan is extremely harmful to the flower - it leads to rotting of the root system and death of the perennial.

Spraying is not necessary for aloe. High humidity it does not need air; the plant in its natural habitats - in South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula - is accustomed to the dry air of savannas and deserts. In too hot weather, it is advisable to place a vessel with water next to the plant. By evaporating, it will weaken the effect of heat on the flower.

Fertilizer for aloe

To replenish the supply of nutrients in the soil mixture, fertilizer is used for cacti and succulents. Feeding is carried out from mid-spring to the end of autumn several times during the growing season; aloe is not fed during dormancy.

Gardeners should be reminded that the plant is watered before fertilizing so that the root system does not suffer from excessive exposure to nutrients and does not get burned. It is better to fertilize aloe on a cloudy, cool day or when the sun is already setting.

Many succulent owners practice feeding folk remedies– sugar solution, eggshell, crushed into powder, with water after washing cereals - rice, buckwheat and others, with infusion of onion peels.

Is aloe pruning necessary?

This question interests more than one gardener, especially if the plant grows and ages. Many people are interested in when it can be used for medicinal purposes.

For preparing aloe juice, it is advisable to use leaves cut from specimens no younger than 3 years old, or even better from five-year-old flowers. To do this, cut off the lower leaves at the base with a sharp tool, put them in the refrigerator for a week to start the biostimulation process in them, only then prepare aloe juice from the leaves.

The leafy shoots of tree-like aloe look extremely unaesthetic, so they are cut off, the tops are rooted and new plants are obtained, and young shoots grow from the cut stumps, forming a neat, lively bush.

For many other types of succulents, sanitary pruning of aloe is necessary, when all old and damaged leaves are removed. It is best to produce it at the end of the dormant period. After the inflorescences wither, the flowering stems are also cut off at the very base.

Root shoots and stem cuttings should also be cut off in a timely manner so that they do not draw strength from the mother plant, and during the process, they prune the roots - remove those that died during the dormant period, damaged and rotten ones, if any.

Aloe propagation methods

Succulent in several ways. The most common of them is obtaining new plants from root suckers and cuttings. The simplest method is to plant the children while transplanting aloe plants that grow from the roots.

Flower growers often practice rooting cuttings - stem and apical, as well as a separate leaf. It is important to dry the planting material for several days in a dimly lit place with a moderate temperature, otherwise the cuttings will rot and will not form roots.

Dried shoots or tops are buried in damp sand and watered moderately until it becomes clear that their root system has successfully formed. This is evidenced by young leaves appearing at the end of the cutting or at the base of a separate aloe leaf buried in the soil.

The seed method of propagating aloe is not used as often as cuttings. The seeds are laid out on top of a soil mixture consisting of 2 parts river sand and 1 part rotted leaf soil, and only lightly sprinkled on top. The bowls with crops are covered with cellophane film or glass and regularly moistened, not forgetting to ventilate. Shoots appear in a week or a week and a half; they are planted in the phase of 2-3 leaves into independent flower containers.

Pest and disease control of aloe

The most common diseases of aloe are rot, root and dry, the causative agents of which are often fungi. appear fungal infections when the flower is too waterlogged. The plant softens, droops, the leaves change color from green to... Gradually, wilting begins and, if timely measures are not taken, the aloe dies.

However, this process can be stopped if changes in the condition of the flower are noticed in a timely manner. If the overflow is not prolonged, the flower is dried and then watered very sparingly. However, if rotting of the root system has already begun, the plant needs to be immediately transplanted into another substrate and a careful examination of the roots.

Putrefactive areas are cut down to living tissue and treated with a fungicide, then dried and planted in a new pot and another soil mixture, without watering. long time- up to a month. Only after making sure that the rotting has stopped, they begin to moisten very sparingly at first, and resume the watering regime only after completely making sure that the plant has been cured.

Among the pests that can significantly harm aloe are spider mites, which are fought with the help of acaricides; aloe thrips, scale insects and mealybugs, repeated treatment of affected plants with systemic insecticides helps get rid of them.

Some plants are pleasing to the eye, some are valuable for their medicinal properties. Aloe succulent compares favorably with its indoor counterparts in its elegance, beneficial properties and ease of care.

A valuable medicinal plant easily grows on a windowsill.

Aloe is not just a houseplant. More than 300 of its species are known, most of them grow in wild nature- in Africa, South America, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula. The height of individual representatives of the species reaches 15 meters!

In wild nature aloe blooms a very specific color. The bush shoots a long arrow from a rosette of its fleshy leaves, at the end of which a spike-shaped flower with tubular petals blooms. The “color” of the color can be different - purple, yellow, orange. Unfortunately, our indoor plant does not please the owner with its flowering, with a few modest exceptions.

Wild aloe bushes are blooming.

Types of aloe in the wild and indoor specimens

Of the 300 species of aloe, we most often grow them at home. aloe vera or agave. Its leaves are sword-shaped, velvety, green, with soft thorns along the edges, with a fleshy, gel-like medicinal pulp. Their length does not exceed 30 cm, they are grouped around the stem in the form of a rosette. Aloe vera can live safely for about 20 years with proper care.

Here he is, the agave, a real healer in your home.

Aloe vera popular in cosmetology and cooking. The plant looks somewhat different in comparison with the tree-like representative - its stem is shortened, the leaves form lush and dense rosettes, their color is grayish-green, and their structure is slightly grooved.

Industrial scale Aloe Vera plantations.

Aloe spinosa resembles a haworthia - its leaves form a large basal rosette, they are wide, with a white serrated border framing the edge of each leaf.

A powerful rosette of strong leaves.

Aloe variegated also low (up to 30 cm), has a shortened stem. The leaves are wide, triangular, and wrap around the stem in a spiral manner. Each sheet is decorated with transverse white stripes.

The most elegant representative of this family.

Aloe sweet (beautiful)- a plant with a short stem and narrow dark green leaves, which are mottled with warts and light spots. Aloe flowers are a beautiful color - coral red.

Many people confuse this species with the true agave.

Aloe is terrible frightening with its reddish-brown thorns, which are located on thick and fleshy leaves.

These thorns are actually scary.

How are these representatives medicinal and nutritious? How to grow them, how to care for them?

All available types can be used for decorative purposes, but the cultivation of aloe with “medicinal” intentions can be realized with the two specified species - tree and aloe vera.

Beneficial properties and uses of aloe

That aloe juice - excellent remedy for instillation into the nose, many people know. But the range of its use is wider and more diverse. Unique properties plants were known to the Greeks in the 5th century. BC e. Even Alexander the Great dedicated one of his battles to the conquest of the island where aloe grew. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans - ancient peoples knew the capabilities and properties of aloe and actively exploited them:

bactericidal- a compress made from aloe pulp is used to treat purulent wounds, burns, calluses and other skin lesions;
laxative and choleretic- plant juice increases appetite, improves peristalsis, normalizes the activity of the pancreas;
anti-inflammatory- aloe juice is an excellent assistant in the treatment of gastritis and infectious diseases.

The juice is widely used in traditional and folk medicine.

Aloe is used in a number of industrial areas:

in cosmetology- in the manufacture of lotions, creams, shampoos;
in pharmaceuticals- for the production of dietary supplements, syrups, tablets;
in the food industry- most often in the production of energy and strengthening drinks.

Such a wide range of uses is due to the presence of polysaccharides and proteins, antioxidants, and B complex vitamins in aloe, and the medicinal properties of the plant are primarily explained by its content allantoin.

Video

See below for several recipes for using aloe at home for health and beauty.

Aloe propagation and care

It’s not difficult to raise such a useful, handsome dog. Aloe propagates by seeds, cuttings, upper shoots, and root shoots.

In the first case seeds sow (in March-April) in small bowls, in soil consisting of turf (1 part), leaf soil (1/2 part) and sand (1 part). Water sparingly as it dries. After germination, the seedlings are planted in small pots (5 cm high) one at a time. Soil - a mixture of leaf soil (1 part), turf soil (1 part), sand (1/2 part), you can add a little charcoal, brick chips. After a year, the plant is considered mature and is replanted. Do not overfeed the sprout with water, do not allow excess moisture.

Propagation by seeds is practically not used.

Cuttings can be propagated year-round, but if possible, give priority to the spring-summer period - what “baby” doesn’t love the sun and warmth! After cutting, the cuttings and upper shoots need to be dried a little - a day or two, after which the cut is powdered with crushed coal. The first planting is carried out in wet sand to a depth of 1 cm, maintaining the sand in a wet state after planting. After the roots have formed (by the 7th day), we transplant them into pots (7 cm high).

How to properly plant children from the mother plant? An experienced florist tells and shows.

Top of shoots, basal shoots aloe reproduces in the following way: after cutting, the specimens wither a little (2-3 days), are planted in wet sand, deepened by 3-4 cm, and can be tied with pegs. After rooting - standard care regimen..

Reminder for caring for aloe

Plant - photophilous. Remove it from the shade and place it closer to the sun, but do not burn it in direct sunlight.
Aloe is unpretentious to temperature, but you should not test its capabilities at temperature below 10-15 degrees.
In winter - 1-2 waterings per month, in summer - 1-2 times a week.
Ventilate more often indoors, the plant can forgive you for dryness, but not stuffiness.
From April to September aloe grows actively, fertilize ground once a month with standard bait for succulents.
Young aloe transplanted once a year in pots bigger size, adults - once every 2-3 years.

- a houseplant loved by many gardeners with huge leathery leaves. Did you know that in natural conditions does it bloom every year and even bear fruit?