June 29th, 2021

Hey plant friends!

This week we are talking about Aloe. These plants belong to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) or lily family and are native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Madagascar. You may have heard of these plants for their healing properties, helping with sunburn for as long as we can remember. There are over 300 species of Aloe but the one we most commonly see in the greenhouse is Aloe vera. Aloe make an excellent houseplant because they require very minimal care.

Aloe needs to be in bright indirect light, direct sun will burn the leaves. Planting in well-draining potting soil for this plant is a must. We recommend using the Espoma’s Cactus Mix - a gritty sandy soil that easily drains excess water and dries out evenly. Aloe can handle a good amount of drought between watering. Plant parents profess, “I just forget about my Aloe, and it thrives!” True story! Allow your plant to completely dry between watering. Most Aloe will go dormant in the winter so really try and cut back on watering.

Aloe is a great choice if you are looking for something that will grow upwards and save on space. The chunky, spiky, succulent leaves stand firm and strong when given proper care.

We currently carry Aloe at the greenhouse in 4”, 6”, and 10” pots. If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy planting!