Aloe Arborescens


Aloe Arborescens

From the Aloe family and an Aloe vera “cousin”, today we are going to talk about Aloe arborescens . It is one of the two hundred varieties of the Aloe plant. This plant is well known for having great medicinal properties. It resembles a cactus and produces lovely red flowers in winter.

This is a plant worth having for its great properties. If you want to learn to take care of it and get to know it in depth, you just have to keep reading

General characteristics

It is originally from South Africa. It has quite remarkable characteristics to provide the human body with a complete range of phytonutrients. In addition, it has nutraceutical properties to keep the immune system healthier. It helps us enormously to eliminate waste particles that the body stores by default. When our body is disturbed, Aloe arborescens returns the body to a normal state and functions.

It is a well-known plant on the Mediterranean coast. It can multiply and grow at an accelerated pace without any kind of care. The same goes for the rest of your family aloes. This makes it very used in gardening.

It is also known by the name of octopus. Unlike the rest of the Aloes grows in the form of a bush . It can reach up to 4 meters high, which makes it a huge bush. Its leaves grow in a rosette and are elongated and fleshy.

The flowers are intense scarlet orange, tend to be erect and when they open they tilt downwards. As for its fruit, it is contained in a capsule and usually has enough seeds. The flowering takes place in winter.

aloe arborescens
ALOE ARBORESCENS

Growing needs

For this specimen to grow properly, it needs a sandy soil with good drainage. If we do not want it to start wilting and end up rotting, we should avoid excess water . Pouring it in abundance until it is completely soaked, the only thing we can do is to put it in danger. It is quite resistant to drought, so if we see that it is dry, we should not worry too much.

As for the amount of light you need, it is better to have them in direct or semi-shaded light. If you are not getting all the light you need, it will turn brown. This is an indication that the plant is not totally healthy. It will help us to know if the care we are giving you are the ideals.

Many amateur gardeners think that plants require many nutrients. Therefore, they use large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers. However, Aloe arborescens does not need fertilizer. With using some fertilizers in the spring growing season is enough.

To avoid drowning unnecessarily, just water it once a week . But you only have to water in summer. In winter it can stand with the humidity of the environment and the rainwater.

If you live in a colder region, you should bear in mind that it does not resist frosts of up to -4 degrees. Below these temperatures will die. If we want to reproduce the plant it can be done through seeds and cuttings. It can be placed and adapted perfectly both in pots, as in balconies and gardens.

All these characteristics make Aloe arborescens very popular.

Medicinal uses of Aloe arborescens

As mentioned before, this plant has very beneficial characteristics for health. Due to its narrow leaves and its lower amount of gel, it is hardly used industrially. However, for home use it can come in handy.

It is ideal for the following uses:

  • It works as an antibiotic, astringent, moisturizer, anti-inflammatory of the skin .
  • It is excellent for the treatment of burns of various types. This is because it promotes healing and reduces microbial growth.
  • For those with acne, this plant relieves insect bites, eczema and wounds. It is also good to avoid wrinkles and dryness. It is considered, along with Aloe vera as one of the best natural cosmetic products.
  • It is excellent for hair care.
  • It helps to keep the immune system healthy.
  • It allows the elimination of waste particles in the body and detoxify.
  • It is excellent for the treatment of constipation, gastritis and ulcers.
  • Combat and relieve hemorrhoids .
  • It is ideal for muscular bumps and sprains.
  • Improves the effects of chemotherapy.

If we want to get the benefits of this octopus plant we need to apply them in creams, liquids to massage, body lotions, skin masks or facial cleansers. These products are made from the gel obtained from their leaves.

Ornamental use

Apart from its medicinal uses it is also used as ornamentation. Its flower has a very intense and beautiful colorthat makes it a whole decorative tool. If you put it in the garden you will have a great landscape with a fairly simple maintenance.

In addition, this plant is perfect if you want to attract insects such as butterflies and bees that pollinate other plants.These insects are attracted by the taste of delicious nectar. It also attracts some birds.

Don Burke

I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide.  I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.

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