Comments on: How to: Harvest Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

By: Erin Elizabeth

Erin Elizabeth — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:35:12 +0000

Do you know what plant food is good for Aloe Vera? I have a plant and it is doing fine, but have heard you should feed them occasionally – or did I hear wrong? Thanks!

By: Katie Glenn

Katie Glenn — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:23:23 +0000

Interesting, I hadn’t heard that about the smaller plants. I’ve asked around in my little herbal community and they hadn’t heard this either. I’m still investigating it…thanks so much for asking the question because I’d like to know too!

By: Natasha

Natasha — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:24:26 +0000

This is so useful, thank you so much. I have been wondering why some people say the plant gel smells and others don’t. The plant in Jamaica (which is the only one I have come across) stinks! I bought a leaf from the shop that also smelled really bad. I couldn’t understand why some people couldn’t smell it and said it had a fresh smell!

I’m going to buy the plant but at least I know which one to buy. I have seen that unless the plant is between a 1m-1.5m it won’t have the same medicinal properties, does that sound true to you?

By: HelloGiggles – DIY First Aid with Herbs

HelloGiggles – DIY First Aid with Herbs — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:09:35 +0000

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HelloGiggles – DIY Sunburn Care and Peeling Prevention Balm — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:07:38 +0000

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By: HelloGiggles – DIY Lotion Making Month: Soothing Lavender & Chamomile Body Lotion

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:01:00 +0000

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By: katie

katie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:12:21 +0000

There are many varieties of aloe plants and some of them smell AWFUL, just like you said, like onions. You may have one of the varieties that looks similar to Aloe vera ‘barbadensis’ but is actually Aloe vera ‘chinensis’. This variety works just as well as the ‘barbadensis’ if you can get past the smell. I have heard that leaving a cut leaf out over night helps reduce the smell and using leaves closer to the center of the plant helps too.

In the picture above, you can see that some of the yellow sap has dripped onto the counter, that’s the part that smells. I have the ‘barbadensis’ variety and it doesn’t smell oniony because there is very little yellow sap. I’ve heard that growing the plant in a pot and letting it slightly dry out between waterings can help, but if you have a variety that is prone to the strong smell, there isn’t much you can do. Sorry to say, you might need a new plant.

I hope that helped offer some insight. Thanks for asking the question!

By: iwantyoursassjen

iwantyoursassjen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:42:08 +0000

Ok, quick question about aloe plants. I have tried to do exactly this and while I loved the feeling of fresh aloe….IT STUNK. Like not just a little funky, my aloe smelled like fried onions that had been left out on the counter for a few days and gotten really gross.

I realize that aloe plants are natural and are not going to smell like the “bottled” version, but is there a way to take care of my plant so it doesn’t smell so bad? A certain brand that is less funky? Am I doing something wrong? (I’ve had this plant for 3 years.)