tropical plants for lanscaping...aloe vera

Plant Taxonomy:

Plant taxonomy classifies aloe vera plant as Aloe barbadensis.

Plant Type:

A. barbadensis grows as perennial in tropical and sub-tropical regions, where the leaves of these clump-forming succulents areevergreen. Typically found in the wild in hot, dry climates, they're a natural for desert landscaping.

Characteristics:

While capable of achieving a height of 3 feet, aloe vera plants more typically mature to be 1 or 2 feet tall. If you grow these tropical plants indoors in containers, they most likely will remain on the shorter end of the height spectrum. When grown outdoors in warm climates, mature plants will produce yellow or orange flower heads on tall stalks. The sword-shaped, often grayish-green leaves grow in rosettes and are sometimes studded with white flecks. Short teeth run up the edges of the leaves.

Planting Zones for Aloe Vera Plants:

Grow these succulents in planting zones 9, 10 or 11. They are thought to be indigenous to Africa.

Sun and Soil Requirements:

Grow in full sun to partial shade and in a well-drained soil. These succulents are drought tolerant plants once established.

Care for Aloe Vera Plants:

The key to growing these cactus-like plants is providing good drainage. When using aloe vera as a landscape plant, incorporate sand into the soil. For potting, be sure to place crushed stone at the bottom of the container, which should, of course, have a drainage hole in its bottom. Aloe vera plant is relatively dormant in winter, meaning it will need very little water at that time. Even during the summer, be careful not to over-water established specimens. If the leaves show signs of browning, consider cutting back on sun exposure.

As a houseplant, provide bright light.

Medicinal Uses for Aloe Vera Plants:

Famous for its soothing medicinal properties, potted A. barbadensis is kept as a houseplant by many people who treat it as "living first aid." E.g., when they burn a finger, they'll break off a lower leaf and rub the juice on the burn. Removing the leaf does no damage to the plant. This medicinal wonder's motto is, "Doctor, heal thyself": the wound where the leaf was removed heals quickly.

Where to Use Aloe Vera Plants:

As a potted plant, it may be treated as a houseplant to be used in interiorscaping or installed on patios, decks, etc. In the landscape (in zones 9, 10 and 11), its need for good drainage makes it an excellent candidate for rock gardens. These drought-tolerant succulents are also a natural forxeriscape design. Propagation is easy: just break off the offsets, allow them to make contact with the ground (sand is a preferred rooting medium) and watch them root!