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Cacti & Succulents

Freeze Aloe Vera leaves whole?

7 years ago

I bought a giant aloe vera leaf and would like to use the inner gel a little bit at a time over a matter of a week or so. The gel is best used fresh but will keep for 3 days refrigerated. I am going to try to root the tip, but that still leaves a whole lot of leaf. The only idea the web offered was to cut the leaf into chunks and freeze them - and it was only an idea.

Does anyone know how I can get maximum use out of this leaf? Should I harvest the gel or cut the leaf into slices? And has anyone frozen aloe vera?

Thanks for your help.

Featured Answer

Karen S. (7b, NYC)

7 years ago

Just last week on TV I saw it recommended to cut the Aloe leaf into chunks sized to fit into cubes of an ice cube tray & then freeze, then use them one at a time. The particular application was for sun burns & instructions to take one cubes worth at a time & rub the cut side on the skin.

And no, sorry but Aloes don't root from leaves, especially not their tips.

Lena

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Comments (6)

mesembs
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I would only cut it when you need the gel. Also, from what I have gathered, you can't root aloe leaves... Unfortunate, really.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
And especially the tip...Did you read somewhere about rooting Aloe vera leaf tip?
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Hi all, The cat litter is the approved Tesco low dust that is popular with Bonsai growers. It is not clumping. I have received the water soluable Miracle Gro. I will use it once per month during this dormant season rather than the usual two weeks, with one watering every week on the large plant and every two weeks on the pups. Size of the chick flint grit is about 3-5mm on average as is with the rest of the mix. Should the mix continue to stay wet more than expected, I will try some larger stuff I have. @ewwmayo No, though I prefer rain water to any tap water when possible. When it's not plentiful saving it seems ideal. I will stop reusing. Unfortunately two of the oldest leaves have started dying at the base and a few inches up the leaf itself. It's dark at the base and the leaf surface is brown and extremely dry, like a past harvest corn plant(or dead corn plant for that matter). I think more of the oldest leaves will fall away eventually. It may be a sign the plant is trying to get rid of the old and sick parts so it can continue growing.
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emmylloyd
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you everyone, I will chop and freeze the leftovers. I also read to drain the red sap/resin before use.

I just assumed I could root from the tip and would also have assumed when it died that it was too far gone when I planted it. Thanks for saving me a lot of time!
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
7 years ago
You're welcome, sorry it wasn't the outcome you hoped for.

Red sap from Aloe? Pardon me but are you sure you read that right? Never heard of red sap on Aloes. Greenish yellow gel yes, but that's all I know.

Just so you know, for succulents which can be grown from leaves, we use the base end of the leaf (closest to the plant), not the tip.

Lena
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
7 years ago
Some species of Aloes do indeed bleed red. Aloe vera is not one of them.

Also, to quote Brad in this thread,

"Aloe vera contains two kinds of 'sap' that are used medicinally. The
thick yellow sap that comes from the inner lining of the leaf is called
Aloe latex, and contains aloin, a powerful laxative. It flows for a
little while after cutting a leaf, and can be scraped off the leaf
epidermis. It is also called Aloe juice. The laxative effect of aloin is
primary reason why the desert Bedouin people of Arabia cultivated Aloe
vera. It has been in cultivation so long that there is no known natural
population of the plant.

The second kind of sap is called Aloe gel, and is contained in clear
tissue of the inner leaf. This is the part of the plant that is soothing
to skin. Aloe gel and Aloe latex are two different things. Aloin was
used in various products until 2003, when the FDA banned its use in over
the counter products because it may be carcinogenic.

Again, Aloes contain two different kinds of 'sap', aloe latex and
aloe gel, and these contain different compounds that are used in
different ways."
emmylloyd thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

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