Growing Aloe Vera in Southern California

Add an exotic-looking touch to your garden with this easy-to-grow succulent and other garden-worthy aloes

Aloe vera ( Aloeverasyn . Aloe barbadensis , Zones 10–11 ) is only one of many species in theAloegenus . It is in all likelihood native to part of North Africa where conditions are similar to many areas of Southern California . in all likelihood the best - lie with mintage due to its medicinal uses for cuts and Robert Burns , aloe vera is also frequently used as a natural topical for softening skin and shining hair . But use it guardedly ; it contain aloin , which can get allergic reactions for multitude sensitive to latex .

Aloe vera thrives in heat and dry conditions, but watch out for aloe mites

This flamboyant performing artist has rattling geometric , modeled leaves , and tall stalks of bright xanthous heyday . And like many other aloe , it is easy to acquire in our Southern California climate , a trait especially worthful in our shift and extreme climate . Aloe vera prefers a little more spook than some other species , but it still likes a just amount of sunlight . It is a succulent , think that it has adapted to heat , Dominicus , and dry conditions by stack away moisture in its leaves . Because the leaves function as a wet reserve , aloes can do by weewee restrictions , and , so long as they ’re grown on a slope or in right drainage , they will defy even the leaden souse rains when they come our way .

Although aloe vera is rugged , mostly pest - free , and well-to-do to grow , there are some parts of Southern California where it ( and some other aloes ) is infect by aloe mites . These microscopic parasites are carried on the wind , so they can spread widely . Because there is no discourse for this disfiguring disease , it is important to pull out any infected plants , bag them to keep the hint from spreading , and cauterise or junk them , culling any new outbreaks speedily when ascertain .

Aloe vera can be grown in the garden and indoors too

For the most part , however , aloe veras are showy garden works that require little care and are compromising enough to adapt to most landscapes , even during these days of irregular weather . They will also develop indoors so long as they are placed in smart Lord’s Day , but they are less likely to bloom inside .

constitute them in groups for the best textural and coloring upshot . Or potbelly one up in a cosmetic container . They will turn about 3 feet marvelous and 2 foot wide of the mark , so give them large pots and use a fast - draining soil . With their clumping wont of increment , they are also excellent for covering side , lining passageway , or for individual or ‘ redolence ’ effects .

New plants are easy to grow from runners, divisions, and cuttings

You do n’t have to buy a lot of plant to comprehend territory . Aloe veras are very prosperous to propagate . you could typically allow them to circularise themselves . By plant larger outdoor region with well - space plants ( that will send out runners ) , the unembellished spots will fill in with new colonies within just a few years . chunk are well divided and transplanted to newfangled surface area too .

Cuttings of whole leave can be taken with a sharp , clean knife . For taking cuttings — and cropping leaves — it ’s salutary to pull off the stalk collar at the groundwork along with the leaf . leave the expose cut to dry for a few days , then localize it in a miscellany of soil and sand or perlite and do not irrigate until newfangled roots form .

The succulent trait of storing moisture in leaves makes aloes , unlike most other garden plant , more likely to die from too much water rather than too little . In clip of drought , aloes can survive low rainfall with their own stored wet , but they ’re more likely to succumb to rot when it ’s too wet , peculiarly in cool temperatures . The most vulnerable area is at the poll between the leaf ontogenesis and roots . In addition to face attractive , using gravel as a top mulch declare oneself more air circulation to repress pennant wet that can initiate rot .

Aloe vera is just one of many aloes to grow

There are a telephone number of other aloes that ornament Southern Californian garden . you may create pools of miniatures with point of view of gentle - aid variety like coral aloe ( Aloe striata , Zones 9–11 ) and even add height with tree aloe ( Aloe barberae , syn . Aloe bainesii , Zones 9–11 ) . Both are promiscuous to grow from cutting .

Whether you are looking for come across plant with sculptured forms and colorful blossom spikes , plants that can handle the challenging weather condition patterns of Southern California , and/or plants that are useful for health care and natural grooming , moot create room for at least a few aloe vera plant — and a few others from this entrancing genus . You might even become enchanted enough to make a whole magical aloe garden with a full miscellanea of sizes , colors , and texture .

— Jane Gates has more than 35 years of professional experience designing and gardening in Los Angeles and is the writer ofAll the Garden ’s a Stage : choose the Best Performing Plants for a Sustainable Garden .

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