Is Aloe Vera a Cactus?

Aloe vera is one of many other options for growing on your lawn, with its succulent leaves it makes your lawn look amazing. But a question always arises, is Aloe vera a cactus because of its succulent leaves, let me tell you despite many similarities, aloe vera is not a cactus. If you are wondering about the classification of the aloe vera plant, it belongs to the succulent Asphodelacea family. 

It belongs to the genus Aloe, and this genus falls under the category of the succulent family. Aloe vera is stemless, with greenish, thick, and fleshy leaves from central areas. This article contains complete information about aloe vera, its uses and varieties and the method of classifying it. So stay tuned!

Is Aloe vera a Succulent or a Cactus

Aloe vera is a succulent, and it belongs to the genus Aloe. This genus comes under the category of succulent classification. This perennial evergreen is one of the most preferred and best plants from the succulent family. It is very easy to manage, and you can also multiply it very quickly as they are fast-growing succulents. Aloe vera is also known as a desert plant as it grows in the desert, but that does not make this plant a cactus.

Most people call the aloe vera plant a desert, but it is a common mistake. Aloe vera also has some prickles, and it grows in the desert; these two characteristics confuse people and make them think it is a desert plant. The aloe vera plant’s prickles are sharp enough to prick your fingers easily, and they also have other cactus-like features to confuse people.

Aloe vera is one of the most invasive succulent species and is present in different regions, including arid climates and tropical and semi-tropical regions. Mostly, aloe vera grows near different varieties of cacti. Due to this reason, they have similar geographical locations.

What’s the Difference Between a Cactus and a Succulent

Major differences between a cactus and a succulent depend on appearance and overall structure. The cactus plant is usually recognized through its needle-like spines. While succulents don’t have these needle-like spines, they are generally not sharp to the touch. But aloe vera is an exception.

Cacti have fleshy stems, and they can store water in their stems and perform photosynthesis. On the other hand, succulents can hold water and other nutrients in their leaves instead of stems. Succulent and cacti both perform photosynthesis similarly. Due to these few similarities, cacti and succulents are often confused.

There are different species of cacti, most don’t have leaves, and this feature differentiates them from aloe vera. If you notice leaves on a plant, you can surely say it is not a cactus.

Can a Cactus Be a Succulent

Yes, a cactus can fall into the succulent category. Different cacti fall under succulents. On the other hand, most succulents are not cacti. You need to understand this minor difference between the two. Cactus is especially succulent; it can store moisture and belongs to the Cactaceae category, this is why succulents and cacti have many similarities.

You cannot call all the succulents cacti as some visible features separate the two. Their leaf and stem structures are extremely different from one another. Both these plants perform photosynthesis which is a great thing. Succulents store water in their stems, roots, and leaves for a long time which helps them stay hydrated even in rough weather conditions such as drought or extreme sunlight.

This amazing feature of succulents is because succulents have lived a long time in the desert and know how to tolerate drought and hot weather conditions without drying out or dying. It gives the succulent the capacity to survive for several months even when there is no rainfall or watering with the help of its best storage technique. This is why some species of cacti fall under the category of succulents while others do not.

Are Aloe and Cactus in the Same Family

No, aloe vera and cactus do not belong to the same family, aloe belongs to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family. Due to this reason, they are arborescent, succulent, xerophytic, perennial, shrubby, and green in color. One of the most interesting features of aloe vera is that all of this plant’s varieties are dark green. They also share exactly similar features, including their leaf shape.

There are countless aloe plant varieties, and you cannot say all the aloe plants belong to the aloe vera category. All these varieties are different, with special and unique characteristics. Aloe vera is the top plant that grows in different regions worldwide and is the most preferred indoor and outdoor plant with numerous benefits.

How Many Aloe Varieties Are There

More than 300 aloe plant varieties are growing in different regions worldwide. Not all these varieties may share the same qualities, they have different appearances and characteristics. There are some medicinal qualities in 3 to 4 species of aloe plants, so you can’t use all the aloe plants for healing and making medicines.

Most aloe plant varieties have similar physical features and are easy to maintain and manage. Aloe plants are mostly present in dry and desert-type regions, but that is impossible for all the aloe varieties. Some varieties of aloe plants do not have a tolerance for warm weather.

There are four major categories of aloe plants including:

1.     Aloe Arborescens Mill

2.     Aloe Barbadensis Mill

3.     Aloe Vera Var. Chinesis Berg

4.     Aloe Ferox Mill

You can learn more about growing different categories in your lawn and then decide about the characteristics of different aloe plant species. Aloe vera is one of the most beneficial species of the aloe category, and it is present in many skincare and other beauty-related products. All these succulents are beautiful and have many unique and distinguished qualities.

What Are the Uses of Aloe vera

Aloe vera has different uses, so many homeowners like to grow them on their lawns and indoors. Most people also call it a healing plant, and there are some specific ways to use this plant, including:

1. Aloe vera plays an important role in helping with the digestive system and overall hair health.

2.  It promotes oral health and kills all the bacteria present in the oral cavity.

3. It serves major functions on the skin, it cures acne and also hydrates your skin to give it a refreshing look.

4.  You can also use aloe vera for the cure of eczema and wound healing.

5.  Aloe vera works magically to treat burns on the skin.

These benefits are limited as this plant has many other medicinal benefits, it relieves rashes and sunburns immediately. It would help if you had a leaf of aloe vera and then rubbed it on the infected skin, you can see it working immediately. You can also use this plant to treat acne and ensure smooth and moisturized skin.

Succulent works magically for the skin as it is also a part of many beauty products. You can also use aloe vera for treating teeth and gum and ensure they are healthy.

Can You Grow Succulent and Cacti Together

Yes, you can easily grow succulents and cacti together. They both make your garden look beautiful, and this pairing of a succulent with a cactus is a great choice for home displays. Both these plants are highly low maintenance. Aloe vera is not a cactus species, but you can grow it with the cactus, and you won’t face any problems.

Both these plants have a high tolerance against drought and warm environments, you can put both on the same watering schedule. They are very low maintenance, and as both these plants are confused, you will not face any problems regarding their maintenance and care.

There are different desert bundles where you will see aloe vera and cacti plants together, and you need to be careful while separating them as they look very similar.

Conclusion

Do you often take an aloe vera plant, then keep in mind that an aloe vera is a succulent, and cacti are a different category of plants. Both are desert plants and succulents, but there are different characteristics as aloe vera does not have sharp needles and stems; conversely, cacti have both. Most cacti categories are also known as succulents, as they both perform photosynthesis. Different categories are succulents, so you don’t need to confuse the two. This article contains all the necessary pain points for differentiating major differences between the cacti and aloe vera.

FAQs

1. What Is the Best Place to Plant an Aloe Vera?

If you live in a cold weather region, you must place aloe vera plants indoors as they can’t tolerate cold weather; they are desert plants. They need proper sunlight for perfect growth. The planting location is very important. Otherwise, the plant can die if sunlight is not appropriate. But if the plant is outdoors, they don’t need sun all the time. You can sometimes keep the plant in the shade if the sun blares. They need to sun for six hours each day in normal heating conditions.

2. Does Aloe Vera Flower?

Yes, aloe vera does flower. Different conditions are necessary for this to take place. Some conditions include the plant’s age, sunlight levels throughout the year, and maturity. All these factors contribute to deciding if aloe vera will flower or not. These plants become dormant in summer, so the major bloom starts after summer when you can see flowers on your aloe vera.

3. Is Aloe vera an Edible Plant?

Yes, Aloe vera is an edible plant. The clear gel and yellow latex present inside the leaf are its edible parts. However, it may cause sensitivity in some people so please consult your healthcare professional before consuming it.