A Comprehensive Guide of Aloe Vera: Benefits, Development, and Uses

Aloe vera is an evergreen perennial and succulent plant species. It has been known and used for
its health, beauty, medicinal, and skin care properties for centuries. It mainly comes from the
Arabian Peninsula. Aloe vera generally grows worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and arid
climates. Acemannan, a polysaccharide gel is found in large quantities in Aloe vera leaves. This
gel can be used topically. Aloe skin is toxic because it contains aloin. Now it is cultivated for
commercial purposes. Aloe vera’s acemannan is also used in many products like skin lotion,
cosmetics, ointments, insect burns, and wind burns. Some allergic reactions could happen but
it’s rare. The species looks so attractive that people use it indoors as a potted plant for
decorative purposes.

Scientific classifications

Aloe Vera was originally identified by Carl Linnacus in 1753 as perfoliata var. After years,
scientists explained this species in 1768 by Nicolaas Laurens Burman as Aloe vera in Flora Indica
on 6 April and by Philip Miller as Aloe barbadensis.

Kingdom : Plantae
Clade : Trancheophytes
Clade : Angiosperm
Clade : Monocots
Order : Asoparagales
Family :Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus : Aloe
Species : A. vera

Descriptions of Aloe Vera

Aloe vera grows up to eighteen inches of long, fleshy, narrow green leaves in a rosette structure. With
tiny white teeth on the borders, the leaves have a green to gray-green color. When the plant is under
drought stress the leaves turn reddish purple.

Height: The plant usually reaches a height of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) and a width of 2-3 feet (60-90
cm). When conditions are good, the plant can reach a height of three feet (90 cm). Generally,
10–12 is ideal for aloe vera growth.

Leaves: Thick and meaty, the leaves range in color from green to grey-green, and certain types
have white speckles on the upper and lower surfaces of the stem. The leaf characteristics
are small white teeth and a serrated edge.

Phytochemicals found in aloe vera leaves, including lignans, phytosterols, polyphenols,
acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthrones, and other anthraquinones including emodin and
other lectins, are being investigated for potential bioactivity.

Flowers: Generally, Summertime sees the production of the blooms on a spike up to 90 cm (35
in) tall. In general, flowers do not appear on plants until they are prepared to reproduce. Aloe
vera needs to be healthy and mature—at least four years old—to flower. This necessitates
surroundings that are similar to the plant’s native habitat.

Roots: Aloe vera, like other Aloe species, creates an arrangement with roots called arbuscular
mycorrhiza, which facilitates the plant’s greater uptake of mineral nutrients from the soil. Since
the roots of Aloe vera only reach a depth of 20 to 30 cm, excessive soil disturbance is not
recommended. Agroclimatic conditions and soil type will determine how often plowing and
leveling should be done. Plot sizes should be appropriate for the field’s division.

Cultivations of Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a topical medicinal plant. This plant made a place in the minds of modern gardeners. Aloe
vera has been cultivated extensively as a decorative plant.

Soil: There are numerous soil types in which the plant can be grown, including sandy coastal soils
and loamy soils. It is sensitive to wet situations. Furthermore, the crop grows well in light soils.
Higher pH and concentrations of Na and K salts are acceptable to it. In heavy, medium-fertile
soils like black cotton soil, growth occurs more rapidly. It grows well and produces more leaves
in well-drained, coarse sandy to loam soils with a pH range of up to 8.5.

Climate: Due to its great versatility, aloe can thrive in a variety of climates. It grows well in both
warm, humid climates and arid ones. But it’s unable to tolerate very cold temperatures. Dry,
sandy soils are ideal for the plant’s growth. in areas where the yearly rainfall is between 50 and
300 mm. It requires defense against frost and chilly winter weather.

Types: Aloe barbedensis, Aloe chinensis, Aloe perfoliata, Aloe vulgaris, Aloe indica, Aloe
littoralis, and Aloe abyssinica are all commercially significant subspecies. National Botanical

Garden and ICAR, the Plant Genetic Resource, have made available cultivars such as IC111271
IC111280, and IC111269. The Central Institute of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
The AL-1 cultivar has also been made available for growing in Lucknow.

Land preparation and planting: The entire area is extensively ploughed and cross-ploughed.
During the final plowing, 15 t/ha of farm yard manure is added. At 45 or 60 cm intervals, ridges
and furrows form. If needed, the land may be irrigated. Suckers are sown. keeping the
recommended distance between them at 40 or 30 cm.

Fertilizers: Compost and manure from the farm yard work nicely on the crop. FYM @ 15 t/ha is
applied during the first year of plantation during the land preparation. Every year in the years to
follow, the same dosage of FYM is administered. In addition, a base dose of 50:50:50 kg/ha of
N:P: K is applied.

Watering: Aloe grows well in both rainfed and irrigated environments. After planting, watering
should be provided as soon as possible throughout the summer. Ensure high returns. On the other
hand, the plants are delicate to standing water.
Plant protection: It is well known that fungi may infect aloe and cause leaf spot disease. This
negatively impacts the gel’s yield and quality. Spraying can be used to control the illness and
suggested fungicides.

Harvest: The second year after planting, the thick, meaty leaves are ready for harvesting.
Three to four leaves are typically removed from each plant to yield three harvests each year.
Harvesting requires a lot of labor. It takes place in the morning and/or evening. Since the scar
will allow the leaves to regrow, the crop can be collected up to five years following planting. In
addition to leaves, side suckers can be sold or utilized as planting material.