There are many species of aloe, but the type that provides the most health benefits of Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller, known as the ”true aloe”. This plant is easy to care for indoors near a window or in the garden as long as they don’t get too much direct sun. Aloes are very forgiving if you forget to water them for a few weeks. You can tell when your plant is getting a bit thirsty as its leaves change from a natural vivid green to a dull pale orange/red color.

Aloe leaves can grow up to 1 foot long and up to 2 inches thick, although this is when they are planted in the ground. Potted plants tend to grow much smaller. Aloe vera plants grow upright and over the years they spread out by sending out offshoots. In spring and summer aloe produces bright orange flowers on long narrow stalks.

If you plant Aloe vera outside, make sure it is protected from frost and severe cold. Remember this wonderful plant originated from Africa, so it doesn’t like the cold. Aloes like lots of indirect, bright sunlight in order to thrive.

Aloe vera plants are easy to propagate. If you buy it in a small pot, you can replant it in a much larger pot immediately, because the aloe will soon grow and spread to fill the larger pot. It will create clumps of offshoots, which you can remove from the main plant and pot separately. These new baby aloe vera plants make great gifts for your friends and family!

To harvest aloe gel, simply cut a whole leaf or a small piece, depending on what you want it for. You will be able to see how the aloe plant will seal it’s own wound and repel any bacteria invasion. This is part of aloe vera’s antibacterial properties that we use for our own wounds.

Run a sharp knife down one fat side of the leaf, not too deeply. Then trim each edge of the leaf, the sides that are serrated. Finally, flip the leaf over and press down on the gel as you slide the knife beneath the gel and between the other leaf. This is called leaf filleting. In a large leaf you will be left with a large piece of gel which is practically transparent. This gel is the source of the plants wonderful healing properties. You can apply it to small injuries, skin disorders, or even put some on a tooth brush to banish gum disease, if used on a twice daily basis.

There are many commercicial Aloe Vera products, but the best ones are the those you can make at home from a recipe. Visit Aloe Vera Home Remedies.

Fresh aloe vera gel is best as studies show freshly picked aloe starts to deteriorate within an hour of harvesting. You can get the Aloe Vera juice benefits from the gel.