Aloe Vera (true aloe)

The following are the crop details for Aloe Vera:

• Scientific name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
• Common name: True aloe
• Order: Liliales
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
• Genus: Aloe

Aloe plants producing suckers

Cut leaves showing Aloe pulp

Aloe flowers

Aloe vera flower spike

Aloe plant from above

Aloe vera plant

Aloe vera is an herbaceous perennial in the family Liliaceae grown for its succulent leaves which have a variety of culinary and medicinal uses. A. vera grows best in full sunshine and requires little water for its establishment, growth and reproduction. It prefers areas with mean annual temperatures within the range 19-27°C, but can tolerate temperatures ranging from 10°C to 35°C. 

The Aloe vera plant has a short, stout stem and a rosette of fleshy, lanceolate leaves which have a serrated margin of small white teeth. The leaves may be flecked with white and are pale green or grey-green in colour. Aloe vera plants produce a conspicuous inflorescence composed of densely packed pendulous yellow flowers on a spike which can be up to 90 cm (35 in) in height. The plant itself can grow to be 1 m (3 ft) in height, it  takes 4-5 years to mature and can live for up to 100 years if well cared for. 

Aloe vera is indigenous to Eastern and Southern Africa. It belongs to a large class of plants known as “xeroids” characterised for its ability to close its stomata completely to avoid loss of water. This adaptation allows plants to survive long and extreme drought periods.

Aloe vera gel being used in the preparation of a dessert

The Aloe genus includes over 500 plant species. Aloe plants are divided into three rough groups: tree aloes, shrub aloes and stem-less aloes. The groups can be differentiated through leaf colour, toothing, shape, as well as plant height and flowering style. 

In Kenya the Aloe Vera species that does best is Aloe Vera Bardadensis and Aloe Chinensis.

Aloe farm in Chhattisgarh, India

Fertilizer being prepared for cultivation of Aloe plants in Kenya

Aloe Vera is a sub-tropical plant, which means that this crop does not tolerate cold climate. It can also be found growing in arid and semi-arid habitats, Mediterranean shrub lands, dry forests, urban bush lands, riparian areas, sand dunes and other sandy coastal habitats.

A. vera grows best in full sunshine and requires little water for its establishment, growth and reproduction. It prefers areas with mean annual temperatures within the range 19-27°C, but can tolerate temperatures ranging from 10°C to 35°C. It does not tolerate temperatures below 0°C, experiencing slight damage at -3°C. It is adapted to areas with mean annual rainfall in the range 700 mm to 3000 mm. During the winter months in the subtropics, the plant becomes dormant and utilizes very little moisture. 

It grows best on well-drained sandy or loamy soils with pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5. A. vera prefers rich soils, but can tolerate poor, saline, or sodic soil. The best type of sandy soil for this crop is one that mimics the dirt found in the desert. It should be rocky and with low water content.

The following are Aloe species found in various African countries:

Aloe arborescens Mill: South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi

Aloe cooperi Baker: Swaziland, South Africa

Aloe dichotoma Masson: South Africa, Namibia

Aloe ferox Mill: Lesotho, South Africa

Aloe maculata All: Lesotho, Zimbabwe, South Africa

Aloe variegate: Namibia, South Africa

Aloe mitriformis Mill: South Africa

Aloe vera plants are grown for medicinal value. They are also grown for extraction of the gel inside the leaves. The gel is used in desserts, yoghourts and beverages. The gel is also commonly used as a home remedy for treatment of burns and to prevent constipation. It’s also used as a skin and hair nourisher.

Aloe plants are generally very easy to care for but care should be taken to avoid overwatering. The plants should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out before the next watering. Check the soil prior to watering. Allow the soil to dry down to a depth of 7.5 to 10 cm (3-4 in) for older, well-established plants or 3.5-5 cm (1-2 in) for younger plants. In addition, although Aloe plants require lots of light, sitting them in full sun can be harmful and it is best to position potted Aloes in a bright window. If the plant is receiving too much sun, the leaves will begin to turn brown.

Aloe Vera can be grown from seeds, but is most easily propagated from suckers which are readily produced by the mother plant. The suckers are commonly referred to as “pups”. The pups should be cut from the main root by gently uprooting the mother plant and finding the point of attachment. The young plant should be cut from the parent using a sharp knife. Pups can be safely removed when they have several sets of leaves. The young plants should be planted in their own pot and watered deeply. Refrain from overwatering to force the growth of new roots. If multiple plants are being planted, provide them with individual pots or plant at least 60 cm (24 in) apart outdoors.

When planting using seeds, aim at a spacing of 3ft by 3ft. Spacing is extremely important for high quality harvest. A typical Aloe Vera plant has 25 leaves which extend up to full length of between one foot and 2 feet. This is why experts recommend a minimum spacing of 3 feet all round.

The best parts of Kenya to plant would be in areas like Kitengela, Ngong, Tala, Machakos, Baringo and other regions.

Aloe plants are usually harvested 4 times per year. The crop takes some 18 to 24 months to mature. Ideally, you should take around three leaves per plant. That comes to a total of 12 leaves per plant every year (keep in mind that only older outer leaves are harvested). You can expect an annual harvest of 60,000 kilograms of Aloe Vera per acre per year.

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Ghrita kumari or Guar patha. Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products. Available at: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/aloe.html. [Accessed 05 November 14]. 

https://candide.com/ZA/stories/263cb7f3-9a7a-4125-ad03-88e7de7c5302

https://mkulimatoday.com/aloe-vera-farming-agribusiness-in-kenya/

http://pza.sanbi.org/aloe-genus