There are so many beautiful houseplants, but Aloe vera is definitely a must-have.
It is one of the easiest succulents to grow and is perfect for beginner gardeners.
It not only provides beauty but also medicinal benefits.
Aloe vera is not cold hardy, so in northern climates, it is grown as a houseplant.
It can be planted outdoors in USDA zones 8-10 barring an uncharacteristic cold spell.
| Get to Know Aloe vera Plants | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Aloe |
| Botanical Name | Aloe vera |
| Native | Mediterranean |
| Houseplant Type | Succulent |
| Garden Plant Type | Herbaceous perennial |
| Hardiness Zones | 10 to 12 (U.S.) |
| Mature Height | 1 to 2 feet |
| Mature Spread | 1 to 2 feet |
| Overview of Aloe vera Care | |
|---|---|
| Light Requirements | Bright, indirect light, must be acclimated to full sun, tolerates low light |
| Moisture | Avoid overwatering, especially in low light environments |
| Watering Frequency | Allow soil to thoroughly dry without become hard and compacted |
| Water Type | Tap water is fine |
| Humidity | Low 40% and less |
| Air | Does well in home and office environment |
| Temperature | 60-80°F |
| Soil | Well-draining succulent mix |
| Fertilizer Needs | Low, 1 time per month in growing season |
| Container | With drain holes, remove excess water from saucers |
How to Water an Aloe vera
Proper watering is the most important step to keep your Aloe vera beautiful.
Aloe vera is a succulent that stores water in its leaves.
Therefore, it does not need to be watered as often as other houseplants that have traditionally thinner leaves.
Overwatering is the main cause of plant decline.
The key is to allow the soil to become dry between watering, but not hard and compacted.
I recommend using a small watering can with a long, narrow spout to focus the water on the soil surface.
It won’t hurt the leaves to get wet, but the water needs to be focused on the soil and absorbed through the root system.
Add water until it drips out of the drain holes.
Allow the plant to sit for a few minutes and drain completely.
Water again and allow all the excess water to drain.
This will allow the roots to absorb plenty of water, but keep them from “sitting” in excess moisture.
This method of watering promotes deep, strong root growth.
I don’t recommend growing Aloe vera in pots without drain holes.
However, if that is the case, it is important to be more precise in the amount of water used.
If the container appears to have about 2 cups of soil, then add 1 cup of water.
This ratio is important because if too much water is added, there is no way for it to drain.
After watering, check to see if there is any standing water in the container.
If so, gently tip the container to pour off as much excess water as possible.
How Often Should I Water an Aloe Vera?
There is no standard guideline for watering frequency.
It is more of an art than science. However, it is better to err on the side of underwatering than overwatering.
One of the best ways to determine when to water is to gauge the weight of the container after watering so that you can compare it as it becomes lighter.
Aloe vera doesn’t grow much in the winter months, so it won’t need to be watered as often as in the summer.
Another consideration is your home’s environment. If you live in a dry, warm climate you may need to water more frequently.
To learn more about watering indoor succulents, click here.
Aloe vera Light Requirements
Aloe vera is native to sunny, dry climates.
Therefore, they grow best when they have 6 or more hours of light per day.
An ideal location is near a window or in a bright room.
The direct sun could scorch the leaves if the plant has not been acclimated to brighter light levels.
Aloe vera is very forgiving and can grow in areas that don’t receive much light.
They are known for being one of the few plants that can tolerate low light.
Maintenance
Aloe vera requires very little maintenance.
It even doesn’t mind being pot-bound.
However, at some point, it will out-grow its current pot and need to be transplanted into a larger one.
Select a pot that is at least twice the size of its current pot and one that has drainage holes.
If you tend to overwater, use an unglazed clay or cement pot as that will help wick away excess moisture.
When transplanting, use potting soil that is specifically formulated for cacti and succulents.
This is important as general potting mixes will hold too much water.
Over time, little baby Aloe vera plants will form at the base of the main plant.
These are known as “pups” and it is the main way an Aloe vera reproduces.
Once the pups are approximately 4”-5” high, they can be separated from the main plant and grown in their own container.
This is a great way to share plants with friends and neighbors.
In northern climates, after the chance of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, an Aloe vera can be placed outside on a patio for the summer.
This can give rejuvenate a plant that may be struggling and encourage new growth.
The plant must be acclimated properly back into the home environment before fall when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bug Concerns for Aloe vera
A healthy Aloe vera will likely have few insect or bug problems.
However, if an Aloe vera is overwatered it will have an infestation of fungus gnats.
Mealybugs may also find their way onto the corners and crevices of the leaves, especially where new leaves are forming.
In rare situations when the plants are very dry and underwatered, spider mites may develop an infestation.
Fertilizing an Aloe vera
Aloe vera generally is not a heavy feeder.
However, if you would like to accelerate the growth of your plant, fertilize with a succulent fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.
There is no need to fertilize in the fall and winter as Aloe vera does not grow actively during these seasons.
Click here to buy Aloe vera plants
Aloe vera Flowers
Aloe vera is primarily known for being extremely easy to grow and for its medicinal qualities, not its flowers.
However, occasionally older plants (over 4 years old) will bloom.
The flowers are red or yellow and form on tall slender spikes.
After the flowers fade, remove the spike by trimming it at the base of the plant.
How to Remove the Gel from an Aloe vera Leaf
These strap-like leaves are filled with a clear gelatinous substance that has been used for thousands of years to treat burns and skin rashes.
This is not just an old wives’ tale.
The Mayo Clinic states on its website that Aloe vera appears to shorten the duration of wound healing for first- and second-degree burns.
To use the gel at home, remove an entire leaf, or cut a section of a leaf off the plant.
The gel will ooze from the cut and it can be applied directly to the skin.
Slit the leaf to scrape out any remaining gel.
Place the gel in a glass container and store it in the refrigerator.
It will be viable for a week.
The leaf will heal at the cut and the remaining leaf can be harvested at a later time.
Here is a video I made about harvesting the gel.
Caution with Pets
The ASPCA considers Aloe vera a toxic plant to cats and dogs.
Although the gel is safe, the leaves contain substances that will cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and possibly death if eaten.
Here is a list of plants that are safe for pets.
Hi live in MO. Given an ole all Vera plant, has pups, needs repot. Trouble is the older stalks are very leggy where leave have been either cut off for use or died. Stalks are leggy and bent over. Have bare stalks with no leaves for perhaps three inches before healthy leave begin and these bare stalks are bent over the pot. When repot do I plant the bare stalks under soil or will that cause rot.
Hi Barb, I would recommend trimming the stem and rooting it. I have an article that explains how to propagate succulents that will be helpful: https://trilliumlivingllc.com/how-to-propagate-plants/ and an article about repotting the pups: https://trilliumlivingllc.com/repotting-aloe-vera-pups/ Best wishes! Shannon
My aloe leaves flop out to the sides rather than standing up, but it does continue to have new growth. It’s in a south east facing window and I let it dry between watering. I can’t figure out what the problem is. Any ideas?
Hi Julia, as Aloe vera leaves get older, they get larger and heavier (full of gel) and can make the plant unbalanced and “floppy.” It won’t hurt the plant to trim them away. There is a video at the bottom of this post on how I did this and how to harvest the gel. It’s a common problem- if you look down through the comments on this post other readers have had some version of this problem. You are welcome to send me a photo of the plant at [email protected] to take a look at it! Best wishes! -Shannon
Hi Maxine,
We have an aloe vera we keep in the house due to the way weather is here in Albuquerque NM. The plant has gotten leggy? and turned brown down the lower part of legs but the ends are green and hanging down. How can I fix this? Do I clip good ends and stick in new cactus soil or what?? Help!!!
Thank You for your article and help,
Rich Jones
Hi Richard, is it possible that your Aloe is getting too much direct sun? The brown sounds like it could be sunburn. If this is the case, I would move it to a shadier location and let it recover for a few months. It would be best to see if it produces babies (pups) to reproduce and grow out of it. Feel free to send me photos at [email protected] if you want to chat more about it. Thanks! -Shannon
Hi. I left my aloe outside and I noticed a green bug on it that had its little antenna on the leaf as if it was drinking the aloe, after a day or so my plant turn from pretty green to pale. As if the bug tools it color. It’s still hot out but getting nippy at night. What should I do?
Hi Yadira, Aloe vera plants do not like to be in temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. I would suggest acclimating the plant to the indoors. However, make sure that there aren’t insects on the plant. Aloe vera a quite resiliant so it there isn’t too much damage, they usually send out new leaves to replace damaged ones. Happy Gardening! Shannon
What’s the best way to keep an Aloe from growing so big and hanging everywhere. I’m not sure the best way to trim it.
Hi Gina, there are a couple options: you can trim away the excess leaves at the base with a sharp knife or pruners. Sterilize the knife/pruners with rubbing alcohol before using them to prevent the spread of leaf diseases. If you watch the video at the end of this post, I show how to harvest a leaf for the gel- the principle is the same. You could also separate the plant into a smaller “parent” plant and remove the rest. If you gently pull the plant out of the pot, the older leaves and segments tend to gently pull away. If you have a great spot for growing Aloe, you may have to do that once a year just because it loves its home! Also, I rarely fertilize my succulents- 1-2 times in spring and summer. I really don’t want to encourage a lot of fast growth. Happy Gardening! -Shannon
Thanks Shannon. I’ve never used any type of fertilizer and water once a month. This plant just grows like crazy. It gets lots of natural light but no direct sun and stays 69-73 degrees year around. You did give me a good idea. Gifts. I think these would make great gifts for coworkers. Last time, about 10 months ago I just took it out of the pot and pulled off all the leaves. Just replanted a small piece, and it’s overgrown the pot again. Gifts is what I will do the time. Have a great summer.
That’s awesome! You have an Aloe factory! 🙂 Have a great summer too!
Hi, My aloe plant isn’t standing up like the ones I see in pictures. A few leaves in the center are standing up, but the other ones have drooped down and hang and the hanging ones are not the bright green color that I was used to seeing. What do I need to do?
Hi Cassey, I would suggest removing the drooping leaves. Sterilize the knife/pruners before and after use with rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of any disease. I’m not sure what is causing the problem, but the fact that you are getting healthy new growth is a good sign. Aloes do not like to be overwatered. I only water my indoor Aloe vera plants about once every 3-4 weeks. They need to dry a bit in between watering. That is key to keeping them healthy. Also, they are sensitive to drastic changes in sunlight and temperature, so once you find a spot they like, try to keep them there! That should get the new growth off to a good start. Happy Gardening! -Shannon
I have an aloe plant that the bottom leaves are quite long and hang down ,and the middle ones are straight up Is this normal? The plant is large with two pups,one that I will be transplanting soon and the other just is coming up. Also a couple of the larger leaves are kinda curled. Is this normal? Thanks Karen E.
Hi Karen, This does happen as plants get large as the leaves get so heavy that they fall. The curling is probably due to the leaves trying to orient towards the light and it causes distorted growth. I recommend trimming off any leaves that you find unsightly to keep the plant shaped nicely. You can do this when you transplant the pups too, see instructions in the comment above. After you trim the leaves, don’t water the plant for at least 3-5 days to let the wounds callous over to avoid water-borne bacteria getting in the plant. Best wishes! -Shannon
Hello Shannon,
Is it normal as the aloe leaves get older turn black? Or is it lacking something?
Thank you,
Barb
Hi Barb, it’s normal for older leaves to eventually turn a yellow-brown and die, but generally not black. Usually black leaves are indicative of overwatering or a decay issue of some sort. I only water my Aloe vera about once a month (more if I move it outside in the summer). Also, check the underside of the leaves for any insects just to make sure you don’t have any uninvited pests! Thanks! -Shannon
I have 2 big aloe plants that lived inside my room but due to me having to temporarily stay at a family member’s house my plants have to stay outside. Do you think they will be ok
Hi Marcy, Aloe vera don’t like temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So, depending where you live, this could be a concern. There are ways to create some protection and shelter for your plants, but they are marginally effective. Best wishes for warm weather! Shannon
My aloe plant is huge and hung down over the pot on both sides. I hate to cut it away and lose any of the plant but it is ugly. On a bright note it is putting out baby plants on a regular basis.
Hi Debbie, Aloe do respond well to re-potting in a wider pot. That may be a good option if you don’t want to trim it. The babies make great gifts too!
Hi Shannon! I just bought and brought home my first aloe plant. When it left the store, it had big beautiful plump stems. I planted it right away when I got home in a similar sized container and watered it just as you said to above. 5 days later, there are flat spots in the stems! I have no idea what’s going on and I can’t seem to find any articles on this. Any advice?
Hi Kari, Succulents can be very sensitive to changes in temperature and environment. If it was below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for even a short period of time, it could have suffered a bit of damage. That is my suspicion. If that is the case and if they only incur a bit of damage, they can recover and grow out of it. If you don’t think exposure to a bit of cold is possible, we can troubleshoot more via email. Here is a link to my contact page. https://trilliumlivingllc.com/contact-us/ Thanks! Shannon
Hey I live in North Carolina ani have an aloe that I had given up for dead and sat it outside in the sun it made a miraculous recovery, but then we got freezing weather and I brought it back inside. It’s very limp and not at all vibrant. What should I do to keep it alive?
Hi Kecia, watch the plant for a few weeks to see if it will recover. Sometimes succulents can bounce back from a bit of freeze damage, but if it was too hard of a freeze, it may not make it. Only time will tell. In the interim, remove any leaves that are black or mushy and water sparingly as you normally would. Give it as much light as possible and look for any new growth or for normal color to return. I hope it makes it! Thanks, Shannon
I live in Arizona and typically keep my Aloe plant outside. Over the last few months, I’ve noticed that my plant was starting to turn brown so I brought it in to the shade earlier this week. The green color start to come back a little, but not completely. I brought a smaller one in the house and it turned back green within 2 days. Based off this expirment, I would say that the direct sunlight was to blame. Could heat also be an issue? It’s been about 116 degrees fahrenheit this week. Would love to hear if you have any experience with this.
Hi Tawnya! Succulents can definitely get sun scald and suffer from excessive heat. Roots can also burn if the container gets too hot! I live in Cleveland, so it isn’t too much of a problem. However, I see houseplants that get sun burnt early in the season if they don’t get acclimatized from the low light in winter. You are doing all the right things- giving the plants a break from the heat and sun. They should be fine! Happy Gardening!
Sounds like you’ve got a ‘mother in laws tongue’ Karen instead of an aloe 😊
I agree Mrs. J!
Is the snake plant with yellow edge an aloe?
Hi Karen, a snake plant is not an Aloe. Both are succulents however. I have an article about snake plants (with photos) here- https://trilliumlivingllc.com/snake-plant/ Thanks!
My aloe appears to have a yellow tint to the leaves – is the plant sick or does it just need more direct sunlight?
Hi Maxine! Yellow leaves on Aloe is generally due to either too much water or not enough water. Check the soil to see if that could be the case. Aloe indoors can always benefit from more indirect light, so that will improve its health. Thanks!