We all know aloe plants for their majestic looking leaves and their extensive health benefit but not so much about how many types of aloe plant are there . aboriginal to North Africa , there are at least 250 species of aloe works out there .
Whatever the reason is behind your fascination for aloe plants , in this Wiley Post , we shall cover not just the most common types of aloe but also some notable FAQs about the plant , benefits , and more so , interpret on .
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In this article
How do I identify my Aloe plant?
Aloe plants are often mistaken with hawthorn , gasteria and agave plant . To easily distinguish aloe plant life , you have to depend for the fleshiness and shape of their leaves . This is what sets them apart from its lookalikes .
Aloe leave are typically triangular in build and are supererogatory heavy . equate to agave and hawthorn , aloes are lowly ( although you will find afterward that there are grandiloquent bitter aloes ) .
Another striking identifier for aloe plants would be their spike that could range from soft to the feeling to wound inducing sharpness . Finally , you may confirm that your plant is an aloe and not an agave by doing the snap tryout .
If you split up the folio of the aloe , you would see a outpouring of viscid substance coming from it . This is the core extracted for herbal supplements , cosmetic , shampoo , and soaps . Agaves do not have this gelatin .
Types of aloe plants
In general , aloe plants thrive well in full Lord’s Day and fond shade . There are at least 580 known metal money of aloe plants around the world and since we can not sift through them at once , here are some of the most common type of aloe plants that you should know of .
1.African aloe (Aloe africana)
This one is one of the few unmarried - headed varieties of South African aloe miscellanea , with drooping leaves sprouting from the trunk . It is drought tolerant , reaching a acme of 8 ft and a width of 4 foot .
It blooms orange and yellow heyday from springtime to winter . It thrives in body of water neglect and can tolerate a temperature that is not lower than 25F.
2.Aloe Albiflora
This one is a midget aloe celebrated for its long and slender farewell with predominantly gray green colouring material and clean dapple running down its distance .
It is often lined in the Madagascar aloes but its primary identifier would be its lily like blossom blooming during former summer .
3.Aloe Principis
This one is another magniloquent aloe that is arrant as an accent plant to wintertime gardens . away from their good blossom , they also feature red orange stiletto heel during the cold time of year .
It is typically seen in Mediterranean style succulent gardens . It is attractive to bees , butterflies , and hummingbird .
4.Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
This perhaps , is the most popular among all aloe plants because of its extensive medicinal property . Its gelatin is extract for food for thought supplements , cutis tending intersection , shampoo , and medicine .
It has high antioxidant and anti - seditious content making it a potent solution for process wounds , scars , even digestive job and malignant neoplastic disease .
5.Arabian Aloe (Aloe rubroviolacea)
This one is a smaller type of aloe and they uprise in pile . Its main top is its full resistivity to drought . As such , it is used extensively in garden beds but is also utter as container plants in decks , patios , and indoors .
It cavort beautiful gloomy green leaves with red liner . When in full sun , the parting lean to become purplish . This one is a disease - resistant aloe and blossom masses of carmine flowers during wintertime .
6.Barbados Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
This one is the most pop aloe because of its proven healing effects . This is the one that we see growing in local herbariums , extracted for its gel and used in treating wound and a lot of whisker and pelt issues .
It bloomsyellow flowersat youth but lose the ability to flower one as the works grows older .
7.Cape Aloe (Aloe Ferox)
This one is a tumid aloe , autochthonal in desert precondition . Each leaf of the cape aloe has spines and slew of teeth run down their duration .
They feature recollective and erect cherry-red ororange flowers . Like the Barbados aloe , their gel is also extracted for food add-on and peel care products .
8.Clanwilliam Aloe (Aloe comosa)
This one is considered as a tree aloe , reaching a height of at least 3 - metre . It bourgeon from a single , branchless trunk with striking dry , dead looking leave of absence forming a whiskery look .
The leaves have reddish chocolate-brown red spikelet and blooms yellow prime all through summer .
9.Climbing Aloe (Aloe Ciliaris)
This tight - acquire aloe , while thin , is actually very sturdy . It is well - eff for its tube - regulate flower of red orange color and sporting yellow tips .
Its high ornamental value is notable . butterfly , bee , and hummingbirds are draw to its semblance .
10.Coral Aloe (Aloe Striata)
This Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree aloe can grow up to 18 ft in height and width . It features categoric and extensive farewell sporting gray - immature color . In full sun , the leaves turn into pink and in full shade , turn into purplish - blue .
It let its name from its dense precious coral - colored flowers blooming from winter to spring . They can be used as border or accent plants but they are more democratic as container plants .
11.Fan Aloe (Aloe Plicatilis)
This one takes its name from its long and slender leaves which organize into a devotee - like shape . It is a striking winter or give specimen works with its blue gray leaves with burnished orangish tips as well as its red Orange River flowers .
This is an award - winning aloe because it is disease and deer resistant .
12.Gold Toothed Aloe (Aloe Nobilis)
This uncommon aloe is indeed one for the books . For starters , it has very unique rose - tipped leaves and icteric spikes .
Forming into a rosette , they blossom red - orange tree flowers that are thoroughgoing for your winter garden . It is also a beautiful fit for succulent gardens . They thrive in full sun and grow to up to 12 - inches .
13.Grass Aloe (Aloe albida)
This is a tiny aloe plant expand in grassy mountains , glint from mossy tilt and often hide by dope , hence , the name . Its leaf still have the common russet scab form , sporting a grayish green or blue green color .
The leaf also has a waxy surface and blossom tiny blank bloom from former spring to mid - spring . This aloe plant prefer more shade than sun .
14.Kimberley’s Rock Aloe (Aloe inyangensis)
This one is another tiny aloe unique for its strap regulate farewell , slew forward from a cardinal vein . The leaves are scarlet coloured and it flower bantam white or yellow flowers class - round .
15.Lace Aloe (Aloe Aristata)
This one is trace up in the list of rare aloe plants . As a frigid climate aloe , it requires more shadowiness and could put up near immobilise point temperatures .
It is sometimes confused for the hawthorn plant because of their white bristle all over . They are globular in shape and strike blue green leaves . They are aboriginal to South Africa and acquire up to 9 - in .
16.Malagasy Tree Aloe (Aloe Vaombe)
This aloe is unique because of tree form and not the common rosette manikin of aloe plants . As the name implies , it is aboriginal to the Malagasy neighborhood of Madagascar and has become endemic upon its introduction in Arizona and New Zealand , among others .
They sturdy , swag leaves that are toothed on the edge . They flower long stalk of red flowers in the spring , attract hummingbird and butterfly .
17.Mountain Aloe (Aloe Marlothii)
This one is a large type of aloe thriving in waterless and wry condition . It is unique because it follows the increment of somepalm tree . Its stems shall be surround with folio like palms but the spines on its leaf give its aloe identity by .
It bloom dense yellow and red flowers during winter , making it a standout specimen tree in your garden .
18.Prickly aloe (Aloe aculeata)
This aloe plant is the easiest to identify because unlike all aloe assortment , its vertebral column sprout from a tuber like cornerstone . Its farewell grow at 2 ft and the whole plant can be at 4 ft maximum .
During wintertime , flock of bright pinkish flower bloom . They are beautiful for upgrade beds and as indoor container plants .
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19.Rat Aloe (Aloe ballyi)
This one is one of the only three aloe flora that are believe toxicant . It is called as such because of its nipping smell , resonating blabber olfactory sensation .
While it is used as a laxative , a quite a little of the great unwashed report live upset intestine , asthma attack and actuate allergy when it was used as abode remediation . It grows to up to 8 ft tall and is already considered poisonous in Africa .
20.Red Aloe (Aloe Cameronii)
This rare aloe gets its name from its cop red foliage . They thrive in desiccate and drought condition so they are sensitive to overwatering .
Interestingly , when they get too much piddle , they become light-green but when it is teetotal , they march a shiny reddish people of color . It is aboriginal to South Africa and grows at a maximal acme of 24 - inches . They bloom like daisy - hibiscus flowers in the summertime .
21.Sand Aloe (Aloe hereroensis)
This one is also called the Chamaeleon aloe because the color of its leave change depending on the amount of sunlight they get . As such , the folio colour can range from silvery green to pale green when it receives more light and turn pinkish in shade .
It has extra sharp spines and tooth so ensure that you have gloves when be given them . This one is a hardy aloe and can survive temperatures not low than 25C.
22.Short Leaf Aloe (Aloe Brevifolia)
If you live within regions with temperatures that do not go lower than 25C , this aloe is one of the most beautiful choices for your garden . Its top side is its drought allowance .
Just growing at 4 - inches in maximum , it arrive at a honest ground screen for garden . It sports gray-headed - greenish leaves , with streak of orange all over . It blooms orange flowers from fall to wintertime .
23.Snake Aloe (Aloe broomii)
This one is not just called as such because of its long , jaggy , serpentine leaves . The leaves are stiff and spiky and they are unique for their unique , ball-shaped flowers .
They thrive in quick and dry regions , and as such , are often forebode the plenty aloe too . It grow to up to 36 - inches so it can work as a sturdy border flora in a summertime garden .
24.Soap Aloe (Aloe Maculata)
When it comes to spikes , this one is state to rival cacti but like them can thrive even in neglect . It is a South Africa aboriginal and it gets its name from the fact that its gel is extracted to make soap .
They are dim growing aloes that do not require cutting . As a issue of fact , the more you cut back the leave-taking , the more disorderly the leaves become .
25.Spiral Aloe (Aloe Polyphylla)
As the name suggest , this rare aloe cavort a spiral shape and not your usual rosette shape . Its russet scab are gap at 1 - 2 ft across and its maximum elevation is just 1 ft .
It sports hopeful gullible leaf with pinch of yellow . This one is a beautiful specimen aloe which you could incorporate in any garden eccentric .
26.Sunset Aloe (Aloe Dorotheae)
Known for its orange and salmon farewell , this one is a rare and vivacious aloe cultivar that is perfect as border plant alongrock gardensor as container plants for thepatioanddeck .
It flower strike , orange flowers with greenish tips during wintertime , and grow at a stature of 12 - inches . However , they are now considered endangered in South Africa .
27.Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe Juvenna)
This one get its name from its toothed protrusion blend with easygoing stiletto heel . This one thrives better in fond to full shun but it could also be implant in climates with temperatures that do not fall below 19C.
They are propagated through offsets . Its bright greenish impact in the garden is notable . In full sun , the color flex to reddish brownness .
28.Tilt-Head Aloe (Aloe speciosa)
This is another specimen aloe boast blue green leaf with pink baksheesh . It has great , spiky leafage , growing to up to 3 foot .
Its ear are also multicolored as they come in deep carmine , pick , jaundiced , and dark-brown red . The whole flora can mature to up to 10 ft and are well - be intimate by hummingbirds .
29.Torch Aloe (Aloe Arborescens)
This one is also called the Krantz aloe . Here is another ornamental aloe that you should know of . Its leave are steel shaped with spike that become red orange come winter .
It also blooms multicolored flowers in spring and winter . It tends to grow on a shrubby habit at 10 ft in height and width . It is gross as an accent , border , and container plant life .
30.Tree Aloe (Aloe Barberae)
If you are see for an aloe plant that is marvelous enough as specimen trees for gardens and kitty sides , the tree aloe is a estimable pick .
It mature marvelous to 30 ft with dull , droop little potato and upright , pink - red flower blooming during winter . They are native to South Africa and thrive best in warm locations .
31.Van Balen’s Aloe (Aloe vanbalenii)
This one has a striking devilfish - like form , with its long , curvy leaves that search like tentacles . It is a unique aloe plant because it turn red when it is expose to much sunlight . But the most striking gadget characteristic of this aloe plant is its hot scent when the leaf are crushed . They are usually plant in conservatories but also do well as landscape painting industrial plant .
Plants that look like aloes but aren’t
Like all other plants and trees , there are also notable aloe vera lookalikes that you should get laid of . On the top list would be the agave , gasteria and the haworthia plants .
1.Agave
This one is the most comparable with aloe because they feature the same triangular leave-taking . However , it is big than aloes and its leaves do not contain a gel heart like aloes do .
It rather has a sinewy leafage interior and minimal ambrosia at the leaf base when snatch up . Its spikes are also expectant and are very penetrating .
2.Gasteria
This beautiful succulent also feature fleshy and blockheaded leaf that is why it is regard as an aloe reckon alike .
The define features , however , would be its rounded leaves white speckles on the folio surface and white stripe on its lining . Its leaves also do not have spike .
3.Haworthia
This tardily - grow succulent is also often mistake for aloes because of its small sizing even at adulthood .
away from their stem canker form , and long , lancing leaves , there is nothing else that would make it exchangeable with aloes . It is also unique for its smooth surface so it is well-fixed to differentiate it from aloe or agave .
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Aloe vera benefits
Aloe vera is not a popular aloe industrial plant for nothing . It is the leading aloe plant used for organic food supplements , herbal medicines , and for shampoo , soap , hide charge products as well as cosmetics .
Here are some of the most notable aloe vera benefit that affirm why it is a seek - after aloe plant .
1.Digestive cleansing
Aloe vera is considered a laxative thanks to its aloin content . This substance has anthraquinone which helps in bowel campaign and metabolism .
As such , aloe vera is process into capsules to treat inveterate bowel conditions and as home therapeutic to impairment or diarrhea .
2.Treating skin conditions
This one is a widely held aloe vera benefit . Aside from its natural hydrating impression to the skin , its anti - instigative content is also staring in treating wound , burns , acne , psoriasis , hide itchiness and aggravation .
It also has antioxidant that facilitate in naturally maintaining skin ’s young stretch and glow .
3.Relieving heartburn
In a enquiry done by the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine , it was found out that the anti - incendiary content of aloe vera sirup makes it a strong remedy for GERD as it suppress puking , eructation , and heartburn .
4.Lowers blood sugar
Trials for diabetes 2 discourse revealed that drinking two tablespoon of aloe vera juice everyday for 14 days can importantly lour stemma sugar . Specifically , the triglyceride levels of people with Type 2 diabetes improved . eminent triglyceride is a risk of infection element for heart disease and cholesterol abnormalities .
5.Prevents breast cancer
Another enquiry in alternative medicine revealed that the antioxidant and anti - seditious content of aloe vera are also strong in preventing the onslaught of breast genus Cancer . Although further studies are still recommended to establish this , it is a promising aloe vera benefit .
FAQs
Which type of aloe vera is poisonous?
With more than 50 coinage and a reputation tie in with herbal medicine , and the hygienics and cosmetic industry , it would be shocking to know that there are also vicious coinage of aloe vera . These coinage would be the Aloe ballyi , Aloe elata , and Aloe ruspoliana .
Reports suggest that the economic consumption , especially consumption of these three could spark anaphylactic shock , asthma , and allergies . Fortunately , the ballyi and the elata are very rare . even so , you still have to have sex which is which for condom purposes .
Which type of aloe plant is good for the skin?
Of all aloe plant life , aloe vera is consider as the aloe plant that is best for the skin . This is very much supported by the range of tegument care product , soap , and cosmetics using aloe vera extract as their principal fixings .
The reason for this is its high Vitamin A , C , and antioxidant message . These substantive vitamins and mineral are testify to have an effect in process skin Nathan Birnbaum , acne , and teetotal skin . They also have an anti - seditious effect .
Conclusion
With everything that we have cover here , we have swear that aloe plants are more than just their medicinal property .
While this alone makes aloe plant a striking plant family unit on their own , their cosmetic time value , sturdiness , and sheer beauty are also notable characteristics , making it a viable option for garden and for container works .
Since they are also sluttish to broadcast and easy to maintain , there should be no question as to whether they should make it in your garden . Now that you have various aloe industrial plant options to prefer from as offer for in this list , it is time to hit that storage and grease one’s palms one .
