Aloe vera is the most complete plant we know today. It is well known that aloe vera is rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins, polysaccharides and enzymes. However, not all types of aloe vera have these properties.
At Penca Zábila we are experts in aloe vera. For this reason, we are going to explain some of the types of aloe vera that exist.
➡Aloe vera barbadensis miller
Aloe barbadensis miller, called the miracle plant for its medicinal properties, is the best known on the market.
This type of aloe is the most common of all, which is why most of us know it as common aloe vera. This class is the one that has all the medicinal and cosmetic properties that we have told you about on our page.
This variety of aloe is characterized because when it is young it can have white spots on its leaves. In addition, aloe barbadensis miller blooms in spring and summer and its flowers are yellow.
➡Types of aloe vera with medicinal uses
Miller or common aloe vera barbadensis has been well known for its medicinal properties for 3,500 years; no other plant belonging to this family has the same characteristics and properties. Some of the types of aloe vera that may also have medicinal uses are:
Aloe arborescens, known as octopus plant
This type of aloe vera is also known as octopus plant, acíbar, candelabra or candelabra aloe. Unlike other types of aloe, it has a stem that measures between 1 and 4 meters. Its leaves are fleshy green and have teeth on their edges, that is, it has a serrated margin.
Its flowers appear on a lateral stem of approximately 60 cm. Unlike common aloe vera, this plant is mainly decorative due to its flower. However, aloe arborescens is also used to treat burns and reduce the growth of microbes.
It works as an antibiotic, astringent, moisturizer, and anti-inflammatory for the skin.
Aloe ferox, the winter aloe
Aloe ferox is also called fierce aloe or cape aloe. It is characterized by being one of the types of aloe vera that has a single stem that measures 2 or 3 meters in height. Its leaves are lanceolate and fleshy. Additionally, they can have teeth on both sides and can measure 1 meter long by 15 cm wide.
On the contrary, its flowers are small, tubular, orange-red and with a long stem. This is one of the types of aloe that bloom in winter.
Although it is a plant that requires little care and is very resistant to all types of weather conditions, some uses of aloe ferox are medicinal. Its main property is that it helps improve the digestive system as it improves digestion, cleanses the gallbladder, relieves constipation, balances the intestinal flora and works as a laxative and purgative.
➡Types of aloe vera with cosmetic uses
Aloe vera barbadensis miller is the most commonly used natural ingredient today to create highly efficient, more natural cosmetic products with fewer side effects. Another species that provides some of the properties of common aloe for cosmetic uses is:
Aloe saponaria, characteristic for its bluish leaves
This type of aloe is characterized by having blue-green, toothed, fleshy and wide leaves with white spots. It blooms from mid-winter to spring. Its flowers are tubular orange and are at the end of a stem that emerges from the rosette.
Aloe saponaria is also known as royal pita or aloe maculata. This plant is occasionally used to cure skin conditions or injuries like other types of aloe vera. Thanks to this, its fleshiness and its high level of juice, this plant is used in the creation of some cosmetic products.
Like most varieties of aloe vera, this plant does not grow very well in pots.
Types of aloe vera with ornamental uses
Most members of the aloe vera family can have ornamental uses. This is because they are very easy to care for and many of them bloom more than once a year. If you want to start gardening inside or outside your home, these variations of aloe vera can help you create the garden you dream of:
Aloe juvenna, very characteristic in spring and summer
This is one of the types of aloe that most closely resembles aloe barbadensis miller, but in a miniature version. It blooms in the shape of small red or orange bells. When this plant looks best it is in spring and summer, in winter it tends to lose its entire life. However, it is reborn and regains its beauty.
Its leaves, like those of the other varieties, are green, toothed and with white spots. This type of aloe is known colloquially as dwarf aloe. It can be kept in a garden or pot thanks to its small size. They are normally located on ramps, rockeries or edges.
Aloe ciliaris, the climbing aloe vera
This is one of the types of aloe vera that has more variations if we compare it with the common aloe vera that we all know. It is a climbing plant that can measure up to 10 meters and its stems have a diameter of 8 to 12 mm. Its leaves are narrow and have white teeth on their edges and are located in a spiral.
Aloe ciliaris is also known as climbing aloe, which is why it is perfect for growing in rockeries and slopes. It is an ideal ornamental plant because it blooms several times a year and is very resistant to droughts, winters and very hot climates.
Aloe brevifolia, with green and grayish tipped leaves
This plant is very striking because its leaves are sharp with teeth on their outline and triangular with a mix of green and gray color. Because of this this type of aloe is also known as crocodile tooth.
This aloe blooms in the spring. Its flowers are red in the shape of a narrow bell and it is supported by a stem that can measure up to 50 cm.
Aloe brevifolia is an ideal ornamental plant for pots and rocky or dry gardens. It is very attractive due to its flower.
Aloe variegata, perfect for your home
This plant is ideal to grow in a pot and have at home. Its leaves are triangular, 10 to 15 cm long and very striking, just like its flowers. For this reason, this is one of the types of aloe vera that is mainly used as a decorative plant.
This aloe can be up to 30 cm high and will have approximately 24 leaves, unlike other types of aloe vera, in 3 rows. Its flowers are tubular, orange and grouped in clusters 20 to 30 cm wide.
Variegata aloe is popularly known as tiger aloe or partridge breast. It is usually used as an indoor plant, which is why it is ideal for decorating balconies or terraces. However, it can also be located in rockeries or cactus gardens outside.
We hope that with this information you have learned more about the most common types of aloe vera that exist. If you want to learn more about aloe vera, we invite you to continue browsing our website.
At Aloe Penca Zabila we offer you juice, gel, leaves and plants of aloe barbadensis miller of the highest quality and freshness that you will find on the market. Visit our store and see all our products with natural aloe vera.
