Even if you don't have a green thumb, or a lot of time to care for plants or gardens, if there is ONE plant you should definitely have in your home, it's aloe vera! Aloe vera is a medicinal and decorative plant that doesn't require much maintenance, but if cared for right, can grow big and healthy and provide you and your family with loads of benefits. Aloe has healing properties unlike any other plant and can help with a multitude of ailments from burns and cuts to an upset stomach and skin conditions.
Basically, having an aloe vera plant in your home is like having an all natural first aid kit! Keep reading to find out how to care for aloe plant the right way so they may grow big and healthy!
The aloe plant is a succulent and it makes for a great houseplant. It's part of the succulent species of the genus Aloe. Growing aloe vera is actually quite easy, and the uses are innumerable! The plant is stemless or has very short stems and has thick, fleshy leaves that fan out from the plant's center. The outside of the plan'ts leaves are serrated with small teeth.
For best results, be sure to keep your aloe plant in an area with indirect sunlight. Aloe plants don't like direct sunlight as it can dry them out too much.
How to Care for Aloe Vera Plants – A Step by Step Guide
#1. Planting Spot
Aloes aren't very fussy when it comes to whether they're grown indoors or outdoors, but the one thing they DO like is sun and warmth. In the summer months, bring your aloe outdoors in a sunny spot. In the winter, bring your aloe pot indoors and place it in an area with full sun.
#2. The Right Pot
Aloe vera can grow to quite the size, so we recommend choosing a pot that's a little bit bigger than the plant itself. This way, your aloe vera can extend and you won't have to re-pot as often. Choose a pot that's made out of clay or terra cotta and ensure that it has good drainage holes. It's super important to grow your succulent plant in a pot or container that's made out of porous material – aloe plants don't like to be water-logged.
#3. Planting
When planting aloe vera, be sure to leave enough space between each plant (if planting more than one) since aloe like to spread out. Fill your pot about a third of the way with potting soil and place your aloe right in the middle. Again, make sure you're using well draining soil and a porous pot with a drainage hole. After placing your plant in the soil, continue filling the pot, leaving about 3/4″ space between the top of the soil and the rim of the container. Ensure that the bottom of the aloe leaves are resting just above the soil. Do not water after planting.
#4. Soil
Choose dry soil that will drain quickly and won't hold water. If the soil is too alkaline, it can slow down the aloe's growth. Choose a cactus mix or sandy soil. Because aloe plants are succulents, they prefer a well draining potting mix or potting soil. The plant grows best when you use a mix of perlite, lava rock, and coarse sand. You can amend your potting soil with one of those, or, use all three.
#5. Watering
Only water your aloe plant when the soil is dry. One of the most common mistakes is over-watering an aloe plant. Aloes grow best when they're only watered when the soil is dry. To prevent over-watering, be sure to have a pot with good drainage holes. If you've just repotted your aloe plant, do not water immediately. Wait about a full week until you begin to water. This will ensure that the plant does not get root rot. Place your newly potted plant in a warm and sunny spot with indirect sunlight.
#6. Sunlight
Aloe vera loves the warmth and sun, but doesn't necessarily prefer direct sunlight. Instead, provide your plant with plenty of indirect sunlight. A south facing window is always best.
#7. Common Problems
Aloe plants are pretty low maintenance, but if you notice the ends of the aloe plant curling up, it means your plant needs more water. If the tips of the leaves turn brown, that means your plant is receiving too much sun. If the leaves grow out flat instead of upright, that means your plant isn't receiving enough sunlight.
Looking for more tips and tricks on how to care for aloe plant? Check out this YouTube video courtesy of Garden Answer!
So now that you know how to care for aloe vera plants, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
How to Care for Aloe Plants
Instructions
Planting Spot
- Aloes aren't very fussy when it comes to whether they're grown indoors or outdoors, but the one thing they DO like is sun and warmth. In the summer months, bring your aloe outdoors in a sunny spot. In the winter, bring your aloe pot indoors and place it in an area with full sun.
The Right Pot
- Aloe vera can grow to quite the size, so we recommend choosing a pot that's a little bit bigger than the plant itself. This way, your aloe vera can extend and you won't have to re-pot as often. Choose a pot that's made out of clay or terra cotta and ensure that it has good drainage holes. It's super important to grow your succulent plant in a pot or container that's made out of porous material – aloe plants don't like to be water-logged.
Planting
- When planting aloe vera, be sure to leave enough space between each plant (if planting more than one) since aloe like to spread out. Fill your pot about a third of the way with potting soil and place your aloe right in the middle. Again, make sure you're using well draining soil and a porous pot with a drainage hole. After placing your plant in the soil, continue filling the pot, leaving about 3/4″ space between the top of the soil and the rim of the container. Ensure that the bottom of the aloe leaves are resting just above the soil. Do not water after planting.
Soil
- Choose dry soil that will drain quickly and won't hold water. If the soil is too alkaline, it can slow down the aloe's growth. Choose a cactus mix or sandy soil. Because aloe plants are succulents, they prefer a well draining potting mix or potting soil. The plant grows best when you use a mix of perlite, lava rock, and coarse sand. You can amend your potting soil with one of those, or, use all three.
Watering
- Only water your aloe plant when the soil is dry. One of the most common mistakes is over-watering an aloe plant. Aloes grow best when they're only watered when the soil is dry. To prevent over-watering, be sure to have a pot with good drainage holes. If you've just repotted your aloe plant, do not water immediately. Wait about a full week until you begin to water. This will ensure that the plant does not get root rot. Place your newly potted plant in a warm and sunny spot with indirect sunlight.
Sunlight
- Aloe vera loves the warmth and sun, but doesn't necessarily prefer direct sunlight. Instead, provide your plant with plenty of indirect sunlight. A south facing window is always best.
Common Problems
- Aloe plants are pretty low maintenance, but if you notice the ends of the aloe plant curling up, it means your plant needs more water. If the tips of the leaves turn brown, that means your plant is receiving too much sun. If the leaves grow out flat instead of upright, that means your plant isn't receiving enough sunlight.
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Do aloe plants need direct sunlight?
Hi Samantha,
We suggest you only give your aloe plants indirect sunlight. They can also receive direct sunlight, but we wouldn’t suggest more than 1-2 hours per day, as it can dry them out too much.
How do I get my plant thicker? They’re so skinny!
Hi Kelly,
You may just have a different aloe variety. There are thicker aloes and then there are thinner aloes. There is nothing you can do to change that as they are simply different types.