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   Aloe Vera: A Handy and Easy-to-Grow Houseplant

Aloe Vera, also known as "Lily of the Desert," is not only a useful plant but also easy to grow and makes a wonderful houseplant. It helps filter the air in your home and provides a variety of benefits. Plus, aloe plants can multiply, so you'll often find baby plants growing at the base of your aloe. It’s a great plant to share with family and friends! Here are some tips for growing Aloe Vera at home:

Benefits of Aloe Vera:

• Soothes skin and sunburn
• Brightens skin
• Acts as a moisturizer
• Repairs wrinkles
• Aids digestion
• Helps detoxify
• Boosts the immune system
• Benefits hair

Potting and Growing:

• Pot: Choose a pot with drainage holes. Clay pots are ideal because they are porous and help the soil dry out between waterings.
• Soil: Use a potting mix designed for succulents and cacti. Aloe Vera plants can be snug in their pots, so you don’t need to repot them often. If the plant becomes top-heavy and starts tipping over, it’s time to repot.

Location:

• Indoor/Outdoor: Aloe Vera can be grown indoors year-round or placed outside in the summer. It needs bright light but should be kept out of direct sunlight.
• Temperature: Aloe Vera doesn’t tolerate freezing temperatures. Bring the plant inside when temperatures drop into the 40s.

Watering:

• Aloe Vera is similar to a cactus and can survive for weeks without water. It’s better to underwater than overwater, as too much water can cause root rot. Limp, lower leaves usually indicate overwatering.
• Water every two weeks or when the soil is completely dry. If your Aloe Vera is outside, you may need to water it more often. Reduce watering in the winter.

Fertilizing:

• Feed your Aloe Vera once a month in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength.

Harvesting Aloe Vera:

• Gel: The gel inside Aloe Vera leaves has healing properties. To harvest, cut a mature leaf from the plant and slice it lengthwise with a sharp knife.
• Application: Squeeze the gel out and apply it directly to your skin, or place the opened leaf gel-side down on the affected area. For larger amounts, cut leaves close to the stem, slice them open, and scrape the gel out with a spoon.

Storage:

• Store the gel in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, scrape the gel into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to plastic bags. Use the frozen aloe cubes as needed for burns or other applications!

With these simple tips, you can keep your Aloe Vera healthy and make the most of its many benefits.