Aloe vera plants are easy to care for. They make wonderful houseplants, or you can grow them outside. In this post, I will show you all you need to know about aloe vera care, including water, sunlight, soil, fertilizer, and more!
There is a common misconception that aloe vera is difficult to grow, but it’s actually quite easy. The key is to neglect it. Yes, that’s right, just ignore it.
Well, I mean, you can’t ignore it forever. But the biggest mistake people make is giving them too much attention, which usually results in what I like to call “killing it with kindness”.
With the proper (neglectful) care, aloe vera plants will grow and thrive for many years, and even decades.
In this detailed guide, I will show you everything you need to know to successfully care for your aloe vera, from watering, light, and soil, to pest control, fertilizer, and much more!
Table of Contents
Information About Aloe Vera Plants
Aloe vera (also known as medicinal aloe) is a popular plant that is best known for the healing qualities of the gel. They are very common, and aloe vera is just one of hundreds of different types of aloe plants.
Whether you want to grow aloe vera to harvest it’s medicinal gel, or you simply love the look of the plant, it’s definitely one that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come!
My aloe vera is one of the oldest plants in my collection (almost 20 years old!), and over the years it has grown to be huge. I bought it as a tiny start that was barely large enough for the four inch pot it came in.
How Fast Does Aloe Vera Grow?
They can grow pretty fast outdoors in a sunny garden, but are much slower when kept indoors as houseplants.
If you want your potted aloe plant to grow faster, then put it outside during the summer (just make sure the pot has drainage holes!).
Aloe Vera Plant Benefits
Most people are already very familiar with the medicinal and healing qualities of aloe vera plants. These days you’ll find the gel in everything from skin and haircare items, to drinks, supplements, and food products.
You can harvest aloe vera gel from your plant to use it on minor burns and cuts, and even to make your own soaps, lotions, and other skin care products if you want.
Another great benefit of growing aloe vera as a houseplant is that it helps to purify the air in our homes.
Now we know why aloe vera is such a popular plant these days, and everyone wants to grow their own (me included)!
Where To Grow Aloe Vera
Though commonly sold as houseplants, aloe veras are actually perennial succulents. Whether you choose to grow them indoors or outside depends on where you live.
Growing Aloe Vera Plants Outdoors
Aloe vera plants are hardy down to zone 9a, and grow best outdoors in arid climates. Plant them in a location where the soil is well-draining, and doesn’t get a lot of rain.
Even if you live somewhere colder than that, you can move your potted aloe vera to a sunny spot outside during the summer months, as long as the container has drainage holes.
But be very careful when you first move it outside. An aloe plant that has been growing inside all winter will be sensitive to direct sunlight.
So take care to slowly acclimate it to the full sun, or the leaves could burn (it’s kinda ironic that aloe vera leaves can get sunburned, don’t you think?).
Aloe Vera Care Indoors
If you live in a cold climate like I do, or somewhere tropical, then you must grow your aloe vera indoors during the winter or rainy months.
For best results, place it in a sunny, south-facing window. The good news is that aloes go dormant during the winter months, so they don’t require as much care as they do during the spring and summer.
Though they can be kept indoors year round, they will benefit from being outside during the hot and sunny months. Just be sure to bring it back indoors before freezing temperatures arrive in the fall.
Aloe Vera Plant Care & Growing Instructions
The good news is that aloe vera plants are super easy to grow, and there’s really not much to it. Yours might just do better if you ignore it, they thrive on neglect.
But, there are a few things you need to do to keep it growing its best. Follow these aloe vera plant care instructions for best results.
How Often To Water Aloe Vera
The most common mistake people make when it comes to aloe vera plant care is overwatering. Consistent overwatering is their number one killer!
Overwatering will cause root and stem rot, eventually killing the whole plant from the bottom up. Oh boy, we definitely don’t want that to happen!
To avoid that, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Stick your finger one inch into the soil to make sure it’s completely dry before watering your aloe vera again.
If you struggle with overwatering, I highly recommend getting a soil moisture gauge to help you figure out when to water your aloe vera.
Aloe vera plants go into a state of dormancy during the winter, and mature specimens won’t need much moisture (if any) during that time.
I only give my large aloe vera plants a small amount of water 2 or 3 times during the entire winter, smaller plants will need it a bit more often.
Related Post: How To Water A Succulent Plant
How Much Sun Does An Aloe Plant Need?
The second most important thing about aloe vera plant care is proper lighting. They grow the best when given lots of light.
If they don’t get enough light, they will become tall and leggy over time. This can be especially challenging when growing aloe vera indoors.
A south facing window is the ideal spot for an indoor aloe plant, but they also grow well under artificial lights. If you don’t have enough sunlight in your home, then you should definitely get a grow light.
Outdoors, they will grow the best in the full sun. But they will tolerate a partial shade location, especially in extremely hot climates.
Best Potting Soil For Aloe Vera Plants
The best soil for aloe vera is one that drains very quickly, and doesn’t hold water. A basic potting soil made for succulents works great, or you could use a gritty mix.
I like to make my own, using a mix of perlite or pumice, coarse sand, and regular potting soil, which tends to be cheaper than buying the commercial stuff.
Related Post: How To Make Your Own Succulent Soil (With Recipe!)
If you plan to repot it, make sure to use a container with drainage holes in the bottom. Planters made out of terracotta or clay are the best for growing aloe vera, and will wick water out of the soil, helping it dry out faster.
Best Fertilizer For Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants don’t really need to be fertilized. But like most plants, they will benefit from being fed once in a while during their active growing season (spring through summer).
I recommend using organic products on your aloe vera, rather than the chemical stuff – especially if you plan to harvest and use the gel.
A general purpose organic succulent fertilizer will work great. Otherwise, you can use a pre-made compost tea, or buy compost tea bags and brew your own.
Aloe plants go into a state of dormancy in the winter, and will hardly grow at all. So, don’t feed it during the fall and winter months.
Fertilizing your aloe vera plant a few times during the growing season can also help to encourage flowers.
Even though they can bloom, it’s very rare to see an aloe vera flower on plants that are growing indoors. I’ve had mine for almost 20 years, and it has never flowered (I wish it would, that would be amazing!).
Aloe Plant Insect Pest Control
Healthy aloe vera plants rarely have issues with insect pests, but sometimes mealybugs or scale can attack a plant.
For small pest infestations, simply dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, and using it to remove the bugs is usually all you need to do to get rid of them.
Organic neem oil, insecticidal soap or a horticultural oil spray work very well to control larger outbreaks of bugs.
But aloes can be sensitive to certain sprays. So, be sure to test anything you use on a small part of a leaf before spraying the whole plant.
Tips For Propagating Aloe Vera Plants
It’s easiest to propagate aloe vera plants by division, but they can be grown from stem cuttings as well (which can be much more difficult).
Get my step-by-step instructions for how to propagate aloe vera by division here.
If your aloe vera plant has grown huge, and has a long stem at the bottom (and you’re feeling brave), you could try taking one large stem cutting.
Allow the wound to cure (dry out) for several days so it calluses over, then dip it into rooting hormone, and stick it in a dry sand/perlite soil mix. Hold off on watering until new roots form.
Troubleshooting Aloe Vera Plant Care Problems
The main problems that most people have with aloe vera plant care are due to overwatering or insufficient lighting. So make sure you’re familiar with all the care tips above to avoid any issues.
Here are some common problems you may run into, and what to do about them.
Mushy Stem
If the stem is completely mushy that means it’s been overwatered, and now it’s rotting at the base.
Cut the stem just above the rotted section, and try rooting it. Make sure you cut off all of the rot, or it will just continue to spread.
Brown Mushy Leaves
The first thing to do is check the stem to make sure the main stem is firm and healthy. Gently squeeze it around the base.
If the stem looks good, but a leaf is brown and mushy (rotting), trim it off at the point where it’s attached to the stem. Then be sure to slow down on watering.
Dried Brown Leaves
If the leaves are drying out and shriveling up, that’s a sign it’s getting too dry (yes, it is possible to under water an aloe vera plant!) and could use more moisture. Dry leaves can also be trimmed from the plant.
The Plant Is Very Tall & Thin
This means it hasn’t been getting enough light. Move it to a sunny window, or add a grow light to give it more exposure (see the section above about sunlight requirements for more details).
Brown Leaf Tips
Most of the time this is caused by under watering, but could also be from sun scorch. If the leaves are thin, then watering it a bit more often will prevent brown leaf tips.
FAQs About Growing Aloe Vera
In this section, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about caring for aloe vera plants. If you can’t find your answer here, then ask it in the comments below
How often should aloe vera be watered?
Instead of watering aloe vera on a set schedule, you should always check the soil first. Stick your finger one inch into the soil, and only add water when it’s completely dry.
Should I cut the brown tips off my aloe plant?
That is up to you. Leaving the brown tips on your aloe vera won’t hurt the plant. But, if you don’t like how they look, you can prune them off at any time.
What does an overwatered aloe vera look like?
Unfortunately, the first sign of an overwatered aloe vera plant is a mushy, rotting stem or leaves. If the leaves or stem turn black or dark brown, and are mushy to the touch, then you know the plant has been overwatered.
But before it gets to this point, you can check the soil to make sure it is completely dry before watering the plant.
How do I know if my aloe vera plant is healthy?
A healthy aloe vera plant has thick, firm leaves that stand up tall. They should also be blueish-green in color (though it’s normal for the leaves to turn yellowish or orange when they are grown in the full sun).
Growing aloe vera is easy, and they thrive on neglect. The make excellent home or office plants. Once you get the hang of these simple aloe vera plant care techniques, your plant will grow for years to come. If you’re wondering where to buy aloe vera, check your local garden center, or you order one online.
Do you struggle to keep your indoor plants alive during the coldest months of the year? Then you need a copy of my Winter Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know to keep your houseplants thriving year round. Download your copy today!
More Plant Care Guides
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- How To Grow & Care For Echeveria Plants
Share your aloe vera plant care and growing tips in the comments section below.
Mary Starr says
My sister is growing an aloe.. she asked me what to do about the leaves growing sideways… she wants the plant to grow up and not out. my plants just grow, so I didn’t know what to tell her?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Humm… I’m not exactly sure what to tell her either. The natural growth habit of aloe vera is that the larger more mature leaves on the bottom open up wide, while the smaller new ones will point upward. If she means to say that hers is leggy and reaching to one side, then that means it needs more light to get it to grow straight up. Hopefully that answers her question. 🙂
Michael Clark says
In November 2017 I started to look after a friend’s aloe when she moved to Shanghai. She’d had it about six years.and it used to have five or six leaves, never very long. I kept it on my balcony in Shenzhen which doesn’t get any direct sunlight.
Most days I would finish the evening with a few cans of Tsing Tao beer, and drain the meagre dregs into the aloe pot when doing my recycling. By June 2018 the aloe was thriving with eight leaves, much longer than previously. I continued this until I was ejected from China in October 2021. By this time the aloe was nearly three feet across with uncountable leaves. I have some pics if anyone is interested.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wow, wonderful! I guess your friend’s aloe vera really liked the unique care you were giving it!
Kenia Medina says
I have a small aloe plant that was doing good until I repotted it. The main large leaves are very droopy and I’m not sure what to do! It’s been about 2 weeks now since I repotted. Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, sorry to hear your aloe plant is droopy. Check that the leaves are firm and not mushy. If they are mushy and rotting, cut them off. Then check the base of the stem to make sure it’s not rotting. Make sure to let the soil dry completely between waterings, ensure there are holes in the bottom of the pot, and check that you used a sandy, fast-draining soil when you repotted.
Brittani says
I have a small aloe vera plant, growing it indoors. My son bent one of the leaves… What should I do with it? Cut it off at the bent part? It’s just hanging there. I’m afraid to cut it but also afraid to leave it because I’m afraid it’ll die either way!! Can you help? 🥴 Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can either cut the broken aloe leaf off at the bend, or clip it all the way back to the main stem. The broken leaf will never grow again, so it really depends on how you want it to look. If the look of the cut leaf sticking out bothers you, then trim it all the way back.
Jennifer Rooney says
I have an aloe plant that seems to be doing well but it isn’t very bushy/doesn’t have a ton of leaves. What can I do to encourage my aloe to grow out rather than up~to grow more leaves essentially. Will 6-12-6 fertilizer sticks work for this? Thanks in advance!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Make sure your aloe vera is getting plenty of light, full sun outside or supplement with a grow light indoors. That’s the best way to get it to fill in better. If you want to try fertilizer, I recommend only using natural, organic options like I listed above, and not chemical brands.
Bree says
For some reason my aloe plant unfit and outdoor plant has brown blackish spots on them what could this be
Amy Andrychowicz says
Black spots on your aloe vera could be from a fungal disease, but most like it’s due to overwatering or lack of light. Make sure the soil dries completely before adding more water, and put it in the full sun (if it’s currently in the shade, slowly acclimate it to a full sun location though, or it could burn the leaves).
Steven Barker says
Is there a way to clean my aloe plant leaves that would make the plant very healthy and happy?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can simply wipe your aloe leaves with a damp cloth to keep them clean, easy peasy.
Gloria Coombes says
I have several large Aloe plants! The first one that I got , I overwatered, I took it out of the pot to repot and I see that the stem is turning black! I have just cut off all of the black part and I have several inches of white stem,but no roots! The plant 🪴 is healthy, no browning of leaves! Do I need to use root starter and then wait for roots to grow or can I just put the cut off stem into my very good soil mix ? HELP
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh no, sorry to hear that your aloe plant is rotting! Yes, I definitely recommend using rooting hormone to give it a better chance of developing healthy roots. Also, make sure to allow the stem to cure (dry out) for several days before you try rooting it, or it will likely just continue to rot. Good luck!
Maxine Crawford says
Guess I’ve watered m aloe Vera plant too much. It has brown at bottom of leaves. I’m going to try to cut rot off and plant them back after end has dried out. Wish me luck
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sorry to hear your aloe vera is rotting! What a bummer. Good luck, I sure hope it will recover for you.
Jolin Vargas says
My aloe plant is giant! my grandma grew it for me from a small plant that came from Home Depot. She was watering it a lot so I’m surprised it grew so fast it’s so big and still growing! How big can they get? I wish I could post a picture. Thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
True aloe vera plants can grow to be about 24″ tall and wide. But other species of aloe can get larger. You could share a photo of it on my Facebook page if you’d like.