Aloe
Rosette-forming plants with thick, water-filled leaves
There are over 500 species of aloe. Aloe originates from Africa but has spread to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Most species of aloe are rosette-forming plants with thick, water-filled leaves that are well adapted to growing in dry environments.
The best-known species of aloe is Aloe vera. The gel inside the thick leaves is considered to have soothing and healing properties, and therefore Aloe vera is found in everything from dish soap to shampoo and skin creams.
The aloe plant resembles an agave, but they belong to completely different plant families. While aloe originates from Africa, agave comes from the arid regions of the Americas. They look alike because they have adapted to the same type of habitats over time—just on two different continents. The same phenomenon also occurs in the spurge family and the cactus family, and it is known as convergent evolution.
You can see several different species of aloe in the South Africa section of the Desert House.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: Dessert house
- Danish name: Aloe
- Latin name: Aloe
- Family: Asphodel family / Asphodelaceae
- Natural habitat: Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula
Learn more about other plants here.