Both agaves and aloes are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although the appearance of the aloe and the agave could be confused, they have one crucial difference: the aloe flowers when it reaches the Sexual maturity every year, while the agave usually only forms conspicuous inflorescences, often several meters high, once in old age and after Fruit ripening dies.
also read
- Aloe vera in bloom
- Aloe vera: Similar plants
- When and how is aloe vera harvested?
Aloes plant genus
The aloe is one species-rich genus from the family grass tree plants. Its origin is believed to be in Africa. Aloes were already used as medicinal plants in ancient times. Its main characteristics are:
- thick, water-retaining leaves with thorny teeth on the edge
- Leaves arranged in rosettes on the trunk
- Flowers yellow, orange or red
- contains skin-caring and regenerating substances
- Juice / gel has a laxative effect
- sensitive to frost
Plant genus of the agave
The agave is also a genus of its own from the asparagus family. It is also called the “plant of the century” because it takes several decades to develop inflorescences. Its main features include:
- thick-fleshed, thorn-tipped leaves, some with spiny margins
- The leaves form a basal rosette
- blooms only once in old age and dies afterwards
- Juice is used to make the Mexican national drink, pulque
- Agave syrup as an alternative sweetener
- the fibers are used to make sisal
- partly frost-resistant down to - 15 ° Celsius
Tips & Tricks
If you're not sure which of the two plants If you own it, you should carefully observe the flowering behavior. The agave flowers appear from the center of the plant. The aloe shoots its flowers laterally out of the axillae.
