For the record: I do not know which variety of Aloe these are. They were labeled Aloe Vera but the same store sold us a "vegan" Venus Flytrap. (It committed a slow death by hunger strike. Hand-feeding broke its spirit.) I can tell you these aloes started out about 4-6" tall, scraggly, and half-dead from frost damage, and now...

...they're monsters. One will be adopted out soon. This is the same aloe only four months ago after its last repotting:

Aloes · More Info

Same aloe, but with a standard 12" ruler propped to show the distance between the potting mix and the top of the tallest leaves.

THIS is the waxy gunk I mentioned. This isn't dust! I wiped these down with a damp cloth earlier (slicing open a knuckle, by the way) and just before taking this photo, swiped a finger down the leaf. Dust would have been gone; this stuff feels like poking a candle.

I do not know much about Aloe vera ad do not know if it does or doesn't have that kind of coating...just in general, many succulents have powdery covering on their leaves - commonly referred to as farina - and that shouldn't be wiped off. It is there for a reason - it protects the leaves.

Many aloes will grow large. That is one of the reasons I do not grow A.v. (since I am in colder zone, all plants have to overwinter indoors and I do not have space...) - but have few different smaller aloes. Those I have, do not have farina. But I have other succulents that do - they would actually look funny to me if the farina was wiped off.

I read about using mayo too - no wonder, it has some oil in it, so it would make leaves shiny. But I also think it would gather/attract much more dust eventually. So I wouldn't use it mainly for that reason. Unless yo wipe them off regularly - I would not want that extra work! Clogging the pores would be another reason...JMO...

That is right up there with microwave-charged cellphones, lol. Nothing good I can see about slathering mayo on there: unnatural color, reduced photosynthesis, reduced transpiration. Is a fatty food-spread a possible pest attractant? Leave it for the sandwiches! ;)

I vote no on the mayo!

Doesn't sound like a good idea.

Farina on succulents in general seems to offer some protection from strong sunlight and is water repellant so it prevents water from sitting on the leaves. However, since your Aloe is indoors and you water it I doubt keeping the farina is really important. My point is I doubt you'd harm the plant if you feel you must wipe off the farina. Though if it were my plant I'd leave it be.

There are products for adding some shine to plants but I'm guessing you know about them and you're looking for an inexpensive alternative. I wouldn't recommend using mayo but if you can't resist your curiosity you could try it on a single Aloe leaf, one of the older leaves, just to see what happens. I'd expect the worst case scenario to be that the leaf might die and you can cut it off.

The verdict is in: no mayo for the aloe. Thanks, folks, especially those of you who kept a good sense of humor!

I support this verdict, no mayo ever!!!

No mayo for aloes or other plants, either. And leave the farina alone! It usually doesn't grow back.

Don't put mayo on your sandwiches either. Similarly, the original taste cannot be restored.

I dunno, mayo on some plants is ok. Lettuce comes to mind. And a BLT without mayo? ...eww!

tj

TJ - My wife say there is no "M" in BLT so you might be doing it wrong. For the record, she likes mayo.

Poly - I agree about the "leaf shining" chemicals. I guess if you are bored but a rinse with the hose or tap would do the trick. Healthier for you, the plants, and environment. Personally, my preference is to play around with top dressing gravels/aesthetics than mess with the leaves (although I haven't done so in a few years).

Well, there’s only one B in BLT, does that mean there’s no bread? ;-)

tj

Just use a damp cloth to wipe them down - using Mayo will definitely attracts some unwanted insects.

@Momof5x, @lgteacher, it's already been decided and reported that my plants are officially safe from the dreaded mayo. The horse is already dead, please stop beating it. Thanks anyway, though.

By the way, aloe #2 just had her first pup! Hopefully it survives the winter!

It was just a simple, good hearted reply where we were invited or asked to comment- i didnt read all the comments as depends on my time as a mother and grandmother.

I see that you have wisely decided against mayo. I have had to spray neem oil on my dracaena for spider mite control. One nice side effect is shiny leaves. If you really want your aloe/houseplant to shine, perhaps a spray with water having a little vegetable oil and soap (as surfactant/emulsifier) would not hurt.