Plant Care
Everything You Need to Know About Aloe Vera Plants
Family: Asphodelaceae
Scientific name: Aloe vera
What Is an Aloe Vera Plant?
Plant Description:
Hedgehog Aloe plant is a type of succulent plant that is highly tolerable of drought and dry conditions. It is an ideal plant for beginners and for those who have hectic schedule for houseplant care. The blue-green color of its leaves and the coral-red color of its blooms make it an impressive indoor ornamental plant.
Like any other succulent plants, Hedgehog Aloe plants require minimal amount of water and bright, direct sunlight. If you want the plant to bloom in spring or summer season, let it enjoy the full sunlight exposure. Even the little Hummingbird loves its flowers because of the sweet nectar. Being an aloe plant, this one provides a soothing relief and treatment for skin irritations and burns.
Interesting Fact:
Aloe Vera is a native plant to the Arabian Peninsula and it is widely used throughout the world for thousands of years as content for cosmetic products and medicines because of its health benefits.
Aloe Plant Care
From the succulent family, Aloe is a plant that is easy to maintain, requiring less water, any light conditions, and minimal attention. It thrives best in sunny spots, especially on the window ledge. It helps improve the quality of the air.
How to Grow and Care for Aloe Plant?
You can use this plant care guide in caring for your Aloe plant at home. The guide is about the light, temperature, food, humidity, and additional care that Aloe plants require.
Hedgehog Aloe
· LIGHT
The Hedgehog Aloe plant prefers a well-lit spot. It can thrive well in areas with bright, direct sunlight condition. If placed in low light, the plant may die or not grow.
· WATER
Like any other succulent plants, this plant also require minimal amount of water. Its well-drained soil should also be dry most of the time. When it is at growth period, which usually takes time during summer season, it may need water but only in moderate amount so that soil is not soggy. If pot is in saucer, make sure that no water is left sitting on it or under the pot.
· TEMPERATURE
In normal room temperature of 65 to 75 degrees, or higher, this plant is sure to survive.
· HUMIDITY
Humidity is not a requirement for the Aloe Plant. In fact, it loves the dry environment.
· FOOD
A general type of houseplant fertilizer is the most ideal for the Hedgehog Aloe Plant. Make sure that it is diluted to half strength.
· ADDITIONAL CARE
For healthy Hedgehog Aloe plant, let it enjoy the sun during the warmth days of spring and summer seasons. It will soon bloom beautiful and colorful flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to its blooms because of its color and nectar. Leaves may fall if watered inadequately in dry season.
· TOXICITY
Aloe Plants are known for medicinal and health benefits but the Hedgehog Aloe is toxic only in moderate level. Ingestion of its leaves or sap by pets or humans may cause irritation and indigestion.
Aloe Vera
· LIGHT
Aloe Vera plant also requires bright and direct light. If you want it to grow big, place it in a window that faces the south or west. However, to prevent the leaves from burning, keep it away from glass windows that tend to be hot when the sun is up.
· WATER
Aloe Vera plant prefers dry soil. Once you see that the soil is dry, it is time to water the plant. Water it thoroughly, allowing water to drain well through the drainage hole of the pot. It does not want wet soil. One of the reasons why Aloe Vera wilts and dies is because of wet soil that causes root rotting. Its active season is summer, but its dormant season is during the winter months. Let the plant rest and water it less.
· HUMIDITY
Aloe Vera plant can thrive even in dry environment. It does not require humidity or moisture.
· TEMPERATURE
Aloe Vera plant thrives in room or spaces with normal temperature of 65 to 85 degrees.
· FOOD
Aloe Vera plant does not require fertilizer to thrive well in its environment. But if you want to feed it, use liquid plant food solution and feed the plant only once in spring season.
· TOXICITY
Aloe Vera contains moderate toxins that may cause humans and pets to experience stomach irritation and indigestion.
· ADDITIONAL CARE
The sap or gel of the Aloe Vera Plant is known as an efficient treatment for all kinds of skin problems and skin rashes, as well as minor burns. However, the latex or the yellow juice from the skin of its leaves contain toxin that may harm pets and humans, especially kids.
Common Problems in Caring for Aloe Plant
Why Aloe stalks become mushy and brown in color?
Because of too much water, the stalks of Aloe become mushy or soft and its color turns to brown. Here are some details:
· Improper Soil Moisture
Overwatering is one of the reasons why Aloe plants suffer from improper moisture. Because of this, the leaves turn yellow and brown. To prevent it, water the soil when it is already 75% dry or let it dry completely before watering. Being native to dry environment, Aloe plant is drought-tolerant and may need less to no water, especially during the winter season.
In watering Aloe plants, let the water flow freely on the soil all the way through the drainage hole. If there is excess water left on the saucer, make sure to remove it. This type of plant does not want the “wet feet” condition or to be sitting on standing water and moisture for a long time because the root tends to rot and the plant eventually dies.
· Improper Light condition
Aloe plants love the direct and indirect bright light of the sun. If leaves are starting to droop, it is because of improper light condition.
· It is natural
Yellowing of the leaves of Aloe plants is natural. It normally happens when new growth starts to appear from the bottom of the plant. Older and matured leaves become yellow, and they will soon drop or shed off to allow new growth receive the energy.
Why Leaves of Hedgehog Aloe Wrinkle or Shrivel?
Hedgehog Aloe becomes shriveled and wrinkled. This is because the plant is thirsty.
· Soil is Too Dry
It is common for Aloe plants to thrive in dry conditions, even with less or no water. However, if it is very dry and the soil is dry, the plant may need a drink, too, once in a while. The plant is forgiving and it is drought-tolerant, but it also requires some drops of water to drink or quench the thirst. Under watering, just like overwatering, makes the plant wrinkled, which is why it is important to keep moisture level in proper balance.
Too much water, on the other hand, rots the roots. During summer days, the plant should be watered thoroughly after every 10 to 14 days or when the root zone indicates that the soil is already dry.
When soil is too dry and plant is thirsty, the Aloe plant wrinkles up. Once you notice the wrinkles, it is time to give the aloe plant thorough water soaking.
How to soak the Hedgehog Aloe pant in water?
- Using a basin filled with 3” to 4” of water, or a sink, put the pot of the Hedgehog Aloe plant here for water soaking.
- The water in the basin or sink should get in through the hole of the pot. Allow the plant to absorb the water for 45 minutes.
- The water should reach 2” to 3” of the top of the soil. You will know it by feeling or touching the soil if it is damp.
- If not, you can help your plant by watering the top soil carefully and slowly.
- Now that the soil is damp evenly, let the basin or sink drain completely of water. Also, allow the plant some time to rest while draining. Once water is completely out, put the pot back to its saucer.
