TOTALLY FREE financial support FOR LIFE Pick a plant size : 6 inch tidy sum , 14 to 17 inches 2 gal pot , 17 to 24 inches 2 gal pot , 2 - 3 feet 3 gallon pot , or 3 to 4 feet
Aloe vera is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the man . From cosmetics to food supplements aloe vera gel extract from the leaves of this succulent plant can be found in all sort of products . But there has been some confusion around whether the aloe vera works is actually a eccentric of cactus . In this clause we will dig into the contingent to expose the truth about the classification of aloe vera .
Aloe Vera and Cacti – A Comparison
At first glimpse aloe vera plants do resemble cacti in many manner . Both aloe and cacti thrive in raging dry environments and have adapt to store water in their thick , fleshy leaves or stems . They also have sharp spikes along their edge that deter predators . So it ’s leisurely to see why someone might simulate aloe vera is a cactus .
However , when you look more closely , there are some clear differences between aloe plants and true cacti :
Leaves : Aloe folio are thick and heavy to hold back water , while cacti have no seeable leaves . Their light-green , photosynthesizing parts are really modified stems .

Areoles : Cacti have narrow bodily structure called areoles from which spines , flowers , and branches emerge . Aloe lacks areoles .
efflorescence : Aloe flowers are tube-shaped like lilies and appeal pollinators with ambrosia . Cactus flowers are more luxuriant with many brightly dyed petals .
yield : Cacti produce edible fruits after flower , while aloe does not raise true fruits .
solution : Aloe vera has shallow , spreading stem organisation . Cacti put down deep and astray - spreading root to maximize absorption of scarce water .
stem : In cacti , the stem roleplay as the main photosynthesis and water storage organ . Aloe vera ’s thick leaves are specialized for water warehousing .
The Taxonomy of Aloe Vera
Taxonomy is the outgrowth of biology focused on classifying organism and determining their evolutionary family relationship . The taxonomic compartmentalisation supply significant clues into the true identity element of a plant .
Aloe vera belongs to the class Asphodelaceae , which includes many succulent works like bitter aloes and haworthias . The Asphodelaceae are group under the fiat Asparagales , along with Allium cepa , agave , and other endogen .
On the other hand , cacti belong to to the family Cactaceae under the rescript Caryophyllales . The Cactaceae includes all plants ordinarily known as cacti . Other members of this order admit carnations , beets , spinach , and dandelions .
So aloe vera is quite distantly related from cacti based on taxonomy . Aloe ’s closest relatives are really other succulents like the haworthia .
Why is Aloe Vera Classified as a Succulent?
Succulents are flora that put in piss in fleshy leaf , stem , or roots to survive dry conditions . Aloe vera ’s thick , meaty leaves are perfect illustration of how succulents are adapted .
Beyond just aloe vera , the Asphodelaceae kinfolk is recognise for having many succulent mintage . Haworthias , gasteria , and many types of aloe are all succulent under this family .
Meanwhile , cacti make up one of the largest group of succulents . Their stems carry out photosynthesis and number as water supply memory electronic organ . So cacti are classified as stem succulents .
This is a fundamental distinction between aloe vera and cacti . Aloe stores piddle in its leaves , so it is a leaf succulent . Cacti memory board water system in their stalk , make them stanch succulents .
Why Aloe Vera Is Not a Cactus
base on all the evidence , we can conclusively say that aloe vera is not a reliable cactus . allow ’s summarize the main reasons :
Aloe vera and cacti belong to to unlike taxonomic family that are not closely relate .
Aloe leaves are succulent while cactus stems are succulent . Aloe is a folio succulent , not a stem succulent like cacti .
Aloe lacks the areoles and spination patterns characteristic of cacti .
The flowers , fruit , stems , and roots of aloe and cacti have key differences .
Aloe originated in Africa , not in the Americas like cacti .
So while aloe vera and cacti share law of similarity as succulent , their morphological features and evolutionary lineages distinctly distinguish them as separate groups of plants .
Aloe is more closely associate to other members of the Asphodelaceae family like haworthia . But it has evolved as a leaf succulent , not a stem succulent like cacti from the Cactaceae family .
Next time you fall across an aloe vera plant , you may confidently say that it is a unequaled form of succulent , and not a cactus after all !
Aloe Vera considered the medicinal plant, Great for indoor or outdoor use in containers.
Aloe Vera flora are a stemless , clump - forming “ succulent works ” savila , that produces thick , fleshy leave with gray spot . Aloe Vera is a gravid plant for containers because it does n’t need much water and is very tolerant to pests and disease . The mucilaginous muggins discover within its fleshy leaves has been used for skin - care function for tenner .
Free Shipping on Select parliamentary law , 100 % expiation Guarantee . Most orders ship between one and three days after they are received . Once your order has been shipped , you ’ll get an email with traverse selective information . This Plant Height is assess from bottom of the pot .
verbal description
Aloe Vera may be the best succulent plant for founding father because its leaf can restrain piddle . Aloe Vera also has skin - save place that help heal burns , cuts , and other hide irritation . Anesthetic , antibacterial , and restorative tissue properties make this a ‘ must - have ’ mend herb for homes .
Is Aloe a Cactus? know difference (or is it a part of cacti)
FAQ
What is the remainder between aloe vera and succulents ?
What kind of plant life is aloe vera ?
What is the lifespan of an aloe vera industrial plant ?
How are cactus and aloe vera similar ?