Leaf of Life Plant Benefits: Why This Miracle Plant is a Favorite to Grow At Home

If you've been following us on social media, you know we love discovering plants with incredible benefits that remind us just how much the Creator of all things has provided for us in nature. Every time we learn about a new plant, it reinforces that everything we need is already here, growing right out of the earth. One plant that continues to blow our minds lately is the Leaf of Life plant. In this post we're sharing what it is, where it grows, where to buy Leaf of Life, and the amazing Leaf of Life plant’s benefits!

What Is the Leaf of Life Plant?

The Leaf of Life (also called miracle leaf, air plant, or cathedral bells) is a succulent herb with thick leaves that have wavy edges. It can grow anywhere from 3 to 6 feet tall and produces beautiful drooping flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or white when it matures.

But here's the coolest part: tiny baby plantlets grow right along the edges of the leaves. These little plantlets can fall off and root themselves to create brand new plants. You can even take a single leaf, place it on soil, and watch new plants sprout from it within a few weeks. It's one of the easiest plants to propagate, which is why some people call it "mother of thousands."

Where Does Leaf of Life Grow?

Leaf of Life is originally from Madagascar, but it's now found all over the world in tropical and subtropical regions like the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Australia, and parts of the Americas. It thrives in warm climates (USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11) but can also be grown as a houseplant anywhere if you keep it indoors with temperatures between 60-75°F.

This plant loves bright indirect light or partial shade. In milder climates it can handle full sun, but you'll want to protect it from intense direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves. Since it's a succulent, it stores water in its leaves and prefers well-draining soil. A sandy or loamy potting mix works great. Just make sure not to overwater it because soggy soil can cause root rot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and you'll be good to go.

Because it propagates so easily, Leaf of Life can spread quickly outdoors, so keep an eye on it if you're planting it in your garden.

Where to Buy Leaf of Life

You can find Leaf of Life plants, leaves, or cuttings from several places:

• Online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or Walmart
  
• Specialty plant websites 
  
• Local nurseries that specialize in succulents or tropical plants (especially in warmer states like Florida or California)
  
• Farmers' markets, plant swaps, or local gardening groups

Starting with a leaf or small plant is your best bet. Just place a leaf on moist soil and tiny plantlets will root and start growing within a couple of weeks. It's that simple!

Leaf of Life Plant Benefits for Your Garden

Leaf of Life is perfect for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, resilient plant. Here's why people love growing it:

• Easy Propagation: Those little plantlets on the leaf edges will drop off and create new plants on their own. You'll have more plants than you know what to do with!
  
• Decorative: The thick green leaves and bell-shaped flowers make it a beautiful addition to your home or garden.
  
• Drought-Tolerant: Because it's a succulent, it can handle dry conditions and doesn't need constant watering. Great for beginners or anyone looking for a plant that's forgiving.
  
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers bring butterflies to your garden, which helps support a healthy ecosystem.
  

Leaf of Life Plant Benefits for Healing

Leaf of Life has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially in the Caribbean and other tropical areas. The plant contains beneficial compounds like flavonoids and antioxidants, and it's rich in vitamins A and C, plus minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. People have traditionally used it for:

• Respiratory support (colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis)
  
• Wound healing (cuts, burns, bruises, insect bites)
  
• Pain relief (sprains, arthritis, headaches)
  
• Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
  

Some people make a tea from the leaves or crush them into a poultice for external use.

On a personal note, you might have seen Naturalite co-founder Jabez el Israel talk about the Leaf of Life plant personally as an immune booster. He’ll eat a leaf when he feels like he’s coming down with sickness and it will either keep him from getting sick, or really shorten the duration of the sickness!

However, please note: This is not medical advice, and you should always consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before using Leaf of Life for any health purposes. The plant contains compounds called bufadienolide cardiac glycosides, which can be toxic if ingested, especially for pets, livestock, and children. Do not consume this plant internally without professional guidance, and avoid use during pregnancy. As always, please use caution and do your own research.

Start Growing Your Own Leaf of Life and Other Beneficial Plants

Leaf of Life is just one more example of how nature provides us with plants that are both beautiful and beneficial. When you start growing your own food and healing plants at home, you realize how much is available to us for free.

If you're ready to dive into home gardening, our book The More We Grow The More We'll See Everything We Need is Free will walk you through everything you need to know to get started. It's a beginner-friendly guide that makes growing your own plants approachable and rewarding (even if you don’t have a green thumb!)

Learn More About the Leaf of Life

Watch the quick video below where we share some of our favorite features and benefits of the Leaf of Life plant!

Enter to Win a Beneficial Plant

From time to time, the Naturalite team will do drawings to give away beneficial plants like the Leaf of Life. Sign up using the form below for a chance to be a winner in our next drawing!