Aloe Vera
[AL-oh VEER-ah]

Evergreen Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) in the Asphodelaceae Family
A classic low-care succulent whose gel-filled leaves double as a home remedy for minor burns.

Aloe vera is a stemless, rosette-forming succulent grown worldwide for its thick, gel-filled leaves. It is a long-time favorite low-maintenance houseplant, prized both for its easygoing care and for the soothing gel inside its leaves, long used as a home remedy for minor burns and skin irritation. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, it has been cultivated for millennia and is now grown as a houseplant in climates too cold for it to survive outdoors year-round, including the Chicago area.

Pros

  • Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance
  • Gel is a well-known home remedy for minor burns and skin irritation
  • Multiplies readily via offsets ('pups'), easy to share or repot
  • Thrives on neglect - ideal for a sunny windowsill

Cons

  • Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
  • Sap can irritate skin in sensitive people
  • Prone to root rot if overwatered or potted in regular soil
  • Rarely flowers indoors
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 36 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry
Zones 10a - 12b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Evergreen, Full Sun, Good Indoor Plant, House Plants, Native to Africa, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Succulent, Tender Perennial, Thrillers, Tolerant of Poor Soil
Bloom Period Spring outdoors; rarely blooms indoors
Flower Color Yellow to Orange-Red
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 05/01 - 05/04
2023 : 05/04 - 05/07


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!