Ta Lu
My grandma use to grow them in pots since they're a rhizome (?)
Yes, they're a rhizome. They grow from a root that spreads (and spreads and spreads). Many people grow them in pots to keep them contained, but they actually make a nice privacy hedge as well.
As to pagan herbs, I have no clue. Aloe vera has a lot of medicinal uses, though, so it is a great plant to grow. It is really a succulent, not an herb, but you can find small ones for small herb gardens and larger ones for larger gardens, so it fits in well.