Aloe vera Aloe vera
Aloe vera (Aloe vera) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Asphodelaceae family, native to Arabian Peninsula (wild origin uncertain); cultivated and naturalised worldwide. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -1 °C (30 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Aloe vera in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Aloe vera at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -1 °C (30 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: inner leaf gel (not the yellow latex) |
| Native to | Arabian Peninsula (wild origin uncertain); cultivated and naturalised worldwide |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Aloe vera toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: leaf latex, whole plant
Anthraquinones and saponins in the latex cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in pets; human laxative effect.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Aloe vera
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Aloe vera in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (10 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (6 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (14 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (6 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (6 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (3 plants)
Questions about Aloe vera
- How far apart should I plant Aloe vera?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Aloe vera need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Aloe vera need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Aloe vera?
- It tolerates about -1 °C (30 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Aloe vera flower?
- From about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Aloe vera poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Anthraquinones and saponins in the latex cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in pets; human laxative effect.
- What grows well with Aloe vera?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Aloe vera. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Outdoors only where frost is rare (about zone 10 and warmer); container plant elsewhere. Rots in cold wet soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Daylily Hemerocallis fulva
- Red hot poker Kniphofia uvaria
- New Zealand flax Phormium tenax
- Quiver tree (kokerboom) Aloidendron dichotomum
- Bitter aloe (Cape aloe) Aloe ferox
- Grass tree (balga) Xanthorrhoea preissii
- Blue flax lily (paroo lily) Dianella caerulea
- Krantz aloe (candelabra aloe) Aloe arborescens