# Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves. It's famous for its soothing gel that can help with cuts and burns!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Dry and sunny areas
- **Also known as:** Aloe, Barbadensis, Burn Plant, Medicine Plant

![Aloe Vera](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426138/objects/4995.jpg)

## Appearance

The Aloe Vera has thick, fleshy, spear-shaped leaves that radiate from a central stem, often reaching up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are grey-green, sometimes with small white spots or serrated edges, and contain a clear, gel-like substance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Asparagales
- **Family:** Xanthorrhoeaceae
- **Genus:** Aloe

## Interesting facts

- Aloe Vera flowers attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar!
- Ancient Egyptians called Aloe Vera the 'plant of immortality'!
- Its clear gel is 99% water, packed with vitamins and minerals!
- Some cultures use Aloe Vera to make refreshing drinks and desserts!

## Special abilities

- **Self-Healing Sap:** Aloe Vera can release a soothing gel from its leaves that helps it seal wounds and protect against infection.
- **Water Storage Tanks:** Aloe Vera has thick, succulent leaves that store water, helping it survive long periods of drought in dry climates.
- **Sunscreen Shield:** Aloe Vera can produce compounds in its gel that protect its leaves from harmful UV radiation, like natural sunscreen.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 60-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its tubular flowers.
- **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding flower fertilization.
- **Eats:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Occasionally nibbles on the softer outer leaves.

## Traits

- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
- [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Aloe Vera?

Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Aloe Vera?

60-100 cm

### How wide does Aloe Vera spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Aloe Vera?

2-3 cm

### When does Aloe Vera bloom?

Summer to Fall

### Is Aloe Vera edible?

Yes

### Is Aloe Vera toxic?

Mild

### What is Aloe Vera's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Hickam Air Force Base](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hickam-air-force-base) — Hawaii, US · Historic Site
- [El Dorado Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-dorado-park) — Florida, US · Park
- [Freizeitzentrum Finkenrech (Eppelborn)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/freizeitzentrum-finkenrech-eppelborn) — Saarland, DE · Park

[View all places to see Aloe Vera](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/aloe-vera)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Aloe Vera: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aloe-vera)