Aloe vera

Aloe barbadensis, commonly known as Aloe vera, is renowned for its medicinal and cosmetic applications. This succulent plant typically grows to about 1 to 2 feet in height and spreads around 2 to 3 feet, forming dense rosettes of fleshy, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are green to grey-green in color, with some varieties showing white flecks on their surfaces. The leaf margins are serrated with small teeth.

Aloe vera is best known for the gel within its leaves, widely used for soothing burns, skin hydration, and in various beauty products. This plant is a staple in many households for its practical uses and ease of care.

Preferring full sun to partial shade, Aloe vera is adaptable to a variety of growing conditions but thrives best in well-drained, sandy soil. It's quite drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens.

The plant produces spikes of yellow flowers, usually in the summer. These tall flower spikes are attractive to bees and other pollinators, adding a decorative element to the plant's utilitarian appearance.

Overall, Aloe vera is not only valued for its myriad uses in natural medicine and cosmetics but also as an easy-to-grow, attractive plant suitable for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Its ability to fit into various landscape styles and its low water requirement make it a popular choice among gardeners.