How to Care for Aloe Plants

Learn how to properly care for aloe plants with this easy to follow, foolproof guide!

Course: Plants & Flowers

Cuisine: Aloe Vera

Keyword: aloe vera, care, flowers, how to grow, plants

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.