If you love bathing in our famous Southern California sunshine, aloe vera is your friend! Known to soothe sunburns, this hardy plant is a folk medicine favorite. The clear gel inside the leaves can be applied directly to your skin. It is known to treat burns, bites, inflammation, and other ailments. It is also used in skincare as a natural moisturizer. Rich in antioxidants, you can blend the gel into smoothies or juices. During the blooming season, a tall spike of yellow or orange flowers grows 2-3 ft above the plant, adding height and a bright, sunny bloom to your garden. Aloe vera is extremely low maintenance, requiring little care once established and sending pups out that may easily be transplanted. This writer started her garden with one aloe vera, and now has dozens!
Growth Form: Plush leaves grow from central rosette, 1-3 ft high and 1-2 ft wide. Pups out into clusters.
Light: Full to part shade
Water: Drought tolerant
Soil: Well-drained
Hardiness: Sunset zones 8, 9, 12-24; USDA zones 8-10
Type: Perennial