Useful, hardy, and endlessly handy, Aloe vera needs little introduction. Its thick, fleshy, toothed leaves are as practical as they are architectural, carrying the cooling gel that generations of gardeners have reached for after small burns and scrapes. Plants clump readily, producing pups that can be potted on and shared. Happiest on a sunny kitchen windowsill or bright shelf where it will reward benign neglect.

Origins
Aloe vera is believed to be native to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the coastal regions of Oman and Yemen, though it has been cultivated for so long that its exact natural range is hard to pin down. In the wild it grows in hot, dry, rocky conditions with sharp drainage.

Soil and Substrate
Plant into our Simply Cacti Potting Mix, a gritty, free-draining blend that mimics its arid origins.