Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera plants serve as one of the easiest and useful houseplants. Aloe requires little care and even less water due to the succulent nature of the plant's leaves. This plant has well-known medicinal uses, including topical application for burns and wounds, and is a useful beauty product. Aloe vera plant care involves proper planting techniques and choice of growing location.

Aloe produces thick leaves as a true succulent plant that stores water in its foliage. Leaf color is light green with each leaf featuring rows of nubby spikes. Leaves may grow up to 10 inches or more in potted environments. Aloe vera produces no flowers and grows in a rosette fashion with stems arching away from the plant center. The thick leaves of the plant are used to treat minor burns, itching, cuts and bug bites.

Light

Because Aloe Vera plants are very succulent and consist of 95% water, they are extremly frost tender. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade. The soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.
Because of their popularity, Aloe vera plants are available at almost every garden shop or nursery. Unless you live in area with a very mild climate, it's best to leave your Aloe plant in the pot and place it near a window that gets a lot of sun. You can move the pot outdoors during the summer months.

Water

Aloe Vera is a succulent, and as such, stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water.

During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering. Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system so when it is time to repot choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one. Use a planter with a drainage hole, or provide a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure adequate drainage. Use a good commercial potting mix with extra perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand added. You may also use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil.

Special Helps

Aloe Vera plants are propagated by removing the offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are a couple inches tall (or larger). They can also be grown from seed. The medicinal properties of Aloe vera have been known and recorded since biblical times. It has been used for a variety of ailments, and as an ointment for burns, cuts, and rashes, as well as an ingredient in various beauty preparations. The sap of the Aloe is a thick, mucilaginous gel. It is this gel which is used medicinally. The outer skin has essentially no value, but because it is commercially easier and less expensive to utilize the entire leaf, 'whole leaf' Aloe juice has been hyped as the 'best'. This is not the case. Source : Growing Houseplants