Aloe is the useful houseplant: thick, fleshy leaves hold the clear gel people have reached for on minor kitchen burns and sunburn for generations. The upright rosette of gray-green, toothed leaves has a clean, sculptural look that suits a sunny windowsill.

Give it the brightest light you have, ideally a south- or west-facing window, and pot it in a gritty succulent mix. Water only when the soil has dried completely; soggy roots are the one thing to avoid. It can summer outside, then come in ahead of frost. Healthy plants produce pups you can pot up.