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Barbados aloe

Barbados aloe

Aloe vera · Asphodelaceae

🌿 Common garden plant

📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0

ExposureFull sun
WateringLittle water
Hardiness~-6 °C
Mature size~60 cm
CareEasy
🍽️ Edible⚠️ Toxic to pets

⚠️ Chiens, chats : sève et latex par ingestion causent troubles digestifs; enfants : irritation cutanée possible.

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around barbados aloe and prepare for winter.

JFMAMJJASOND Planting

ID card

Foliage
Persistent, fleshy and blue-green
Flowering
Spring to summer, yellow tubular flowers
Adult size
60 cm tall, 30-40 cm wide
Growth
Slow to moderate
Hardiness
Frost-tender, grow indoors or in warm climates (minimum 10-12 °C)
Origin
Arabian Peninsula
Soil type
Light, well-draining, cactus or succulent mix

✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.

Expert tips

✓ Taxonomy verified

The key tip

Repot in very well-draining soil (cactus or succulent mix), and wait 10 days after watering before the next watering. Aloe dies from root rot far more often than from lack of water.

The common mistake

Watering too regularly or keeping the soil moist: the roots rot.

The pro's trick

In winter, water very sparingly (once a month maximum); the plant goes dormant and needs very little.

Care

Watering

Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), every 10 to 15 days. In winter, drastically reduce watering: once a month is sufficient. Let the substrate dry completely between waterings. Too much water causes root rot.

Light

Place your Aloe vera in full sun for at least 6 hours a day. Direct exposure strengthens the blue tint and the plant's resilience. Indoors, near a south or west-facing window is ideal.

Pruning and cutting

Minimal pruning required—it's entirely optional. Simply remove dead or damaged leaves. Basal offshoots can be removed and repotted to propagate the plant, which naturally increases its density.

Fertilizing

Apply a balanced, diluted fertilizer once or twice during the growing period (April-September). Avoid excess feeding, which promotes weak and etiolated growth.

Substrate and drainage

Use a specialty succulent potting mix or a light blend enriched with perlite or coarse sand. Perfect drainage is essential. Repot every 2-3 years in spring, into a perforated pot slightly larger than the previous one.

Diseases and pests

Watch for root rot (the main cause of failure). Mealybugs or spider mites may occasionally appear indoors. Isolate the plant, clean the leaves and rebalance watering. Regular air circulation prevents most issues.

Did you know?

Aloe vera has been cultivated since ancient Egypt, where it was renowned as the "plant of immortality." Archaeological evidence suggests it graced the tombs of pharaohs. Today, it's one of the world's most exploited succulents, widely used in cosmetics and traditional wellness preparations.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.