-Kamron Kinder-
Aloe Vera is a great house plant. Not only does it add a bit of life to your house, it also has healing properties in its sap. The gel-like liquid from a broken leaf can be used to soothe minor burns and abrasions. Just clip or break off a leaf, and the sap can be applied directly to skin!
Aloe is a member of the succulent plant group, meaning it has a high water-retention rate. There are some 400 species of Aloe worldwide, and it is believed to have originated in Northern Africa, but lacks a definitive area of origin, given the wide geographic range in which this plant grows and thrives
Aloe Vera has thick serrated leaves that are lance-shaped, starting wider at their base and then tapering to a point. The root systems of Aloe plants tend to grow wide, but not deep into soil. When transplanting your Aloe it is common practice to move them into a wider but not deeper pot as they grow. One important feature of the root system is that it forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a fungus that penetrates inside the roots to allow better access to mineral nutrients in the soil – cool, huh?
Aloe is fairly easy to grow and long-lived to boot. With minor maintenance you’ll enjoy this plant for years to come! Aloe enjoys bright light, with some direct sun, but watch out because too much sun can actually sunburn your Aloe. Sunburned Aloe will show brown or gray scorch spots on the leaves. If you’re planning on moving your Aloe outdoors for the summer, make the move a gradual one. Plants grown outdoors often bloom in the spring with yellow and red, tubular flowers on tall flower spikes. However, aloe rarely blooms indoors.
When watering Aloe you’ll want to allow the potting medium to almost dry out before watering again. Don’t allow the soil to dry out completely, however, because when aloe becomes too dry the leaves will wrinkle and you may notice brown leaf tips. You will also want to be careful not to allow water to settle in the bases of leaves, because this can cause the plant to rot. If you are overwatering you might begin to see black spots on the leaves; a quick fix is to allow the potting medium to mostly dry out before watering again! During the winter you may have slower growth and should water more sparingly.
The ideal conditions for Aloe are a temperature of 65-75°F/ 18-24°C with average humidity to dry room humidity (around 40% relative humidity is a good aim to shoot for). Cactus potting mix is ideal because it is fast-draining, or add 1 part horticultural sand to 2 parts all-purpose potting mix! You’ll want to fertilize spring through fall, feeding monthly with a cactus/succulent plant fertilizer. Stop feeding in the winter when growth is slow. Check your Aloe Vera plant occasionally for pests, and treat any infestation immediately.
Propagation of these types of succulents is quite simple, as they freely produce offsets – also known as plantlets, pups, or “babies” – that can be removed to produce an entirely new plant ( a clone of the mother plant, technically)! Find where the offsets are attached to the mother plant and separate them using pruning shears, scissors, or a sharp knife. Leave at least an inch of stem on the offset. Allow the offset to sit out of the soil for several days; this lets the offset form a callous over the cut, which helps protect from rot. Keep the offset in a warm location with indirect light during this time. Once the offset has formed callouses, pot them in a standard well-draining succulent potting mix. Put the newly-potted offset in a sunny location. Wait at least a week to water and keep the potting medium on the dry side. You’ll see this newly-potted offset start growing soon!!
Aloe Vera is truly a joy to grow for the beginner or a more experienced grower, plus there’s nothing quite like treating a minor burn or abrasion with one of your own plants!
Laura Elizabeth Howard says
In this picture above do you bring it in when it gets colder?
ashley says
Hi Laura,
Yes, aloes don’t do well below 55 degrees and will perish below 40, so we definitely bring the aloes inside for the season once nighttime temps get into the low 50s/high 40s. — Ashley at Fifth Season Gardening
veronica williams says
I bought a aloe vera last year it grow now had pups babies how every you say,I’m n stl,I brought a few n doors it been raining some days and so much water flood my plant I’m gone soon bring it n I made three more pots from,the big aloe they babies growing now I see new roots I didn’t what it was at first the flower ,I’m just waiting.i just don’t want the rain flood them out it’s gone again it rain yesterday I had just water them,thank you
Relly says
Aloe vera it helps for skin problems like doctors diagnisis ezcema or dermatitis
Marylou says
Marylou September 15 Is it true you can use Aloe Vera for wrinkles for your hands face lhave my outside in the porch at 10 15 am thank you
Migdalia says
I was given a couple of small AloeVera n it is giving me a hard time to grow ..How long does it take for them to grow
Lurlean Winans says
I’m new @ this planting. But I liked the Aloe Vera, also know it to b good for burns! I bought babies bout 5-6 mos ago, they’re teens, grew fast. Reported them hoping they do well. Enjoyed all the comments! Helpful, thanks
ashley says
Hi Migdalia,
Aloe plants, being succulents, grow more slowly than many types of houseplants, but they are “fast-growers” for succulents. Some tips to make sure your aloe grows as best as it can: make sure you do not overwater or let your plant sit in water; make sure it gets a lot of bright sunlight; make sure you do not let it get rootbound in a pot that is too small (up-pot to a larger pot every 6 months). If your plant is looking healthy then I’d suggest maybe it is time to move it to a larger container and give it some growing room. Hope this helps! –Ashley at Fifth Season Gardening
Joy Chen says
I love Aloe Vera plant. I planted a lot. I eat and watch hair. Put on my shin……
Sally Waldman Seelig says
Have had them for years
I love them it’s clear.
An ode to aloe please hear
Marie C. says
Marie C.
I love my aloe vera plants it is one of my favorites. I use it on my skin and my hair. I just purchase two plants today they are my babies
Rose says
Love Aloe Vera plants because they help with pain. What I use it for is pain around the ankles, foot, burns, face hair, and mix with smoothies.
Terrian says
Aloe vera is one of my all time favourite plants. I started out with one plant and now I have around 20. I have a lot of new little babies soon to be transplanted. I live in the tropics and they do really well here. They are so versatile. I use them in my hair, on my face, on minor rashes or cuts, in my shakes and it’s really good for aiding weightloss aswell. Happy growing everyone.
veronica williams says
now I put my aloe vera in a bigger pot but it’s still n the same pot I’m afraid to take it out I got wait until it’s some what dry I don’t want it to die,I’m gone to keep mine in doors tell next summer lord allow it.i think I see a few more that gone turn n to pups babies I’m so exicied thank you .
Esther Jaramillo says
I love your page since I’m so much into plants. I have two aloe and they’re thriving. I live in California and the climate for aloe plants is perfect.
Thank you for your great guidance on this fabulous plant. There’s so much to learn about them.
Ketura Berthomieux says
Thanks !!I love my aloe Vera a lot
Ketura1968@gmail.com
Lady Joy says
Love Love Love my aloe plants. I have several and they all came from a dying plants I took from my sister. They have multiplied and are growing faster than I have time to repot. Aloe is good for everything. Key to eating them is when you cut the leaf off, to soak it in water til all the yellow gunk is out. The water turns brown. Then you can peel and eat it with out the nasty taste. Aloe is heaven’s all around plant. Good for everything.
TC says
Hi I hv a medium sized aloe plant and I snip a leaf to use the aloe for my skin and hair, but I wanna make sure I’m allowing my plant to flourish. Is there a rule I should be following?
Rosie says
I have three Aloe Vera plants I’m still new at growing the plants but they are very beautiful I keep them on my front step they’re growing lovely they had the pups I remove them and put them in separate pots they all are growing very well I appreciate all the comments they’ll help me to see what I need to do next when the plant is dry rot or when I see the brown leaves on them,
Shuvon says
Aloe is a great med for everything
ashley says
Hi TC, No specific rule to follow, but you do want to make sure that you leave enough “foliage” for the plant to be able to photosynthesize. If you take off leaves sporadically, there shouldn’t be an issue, because there’s time in-between for your plant to recover and re-grow. If you’re taking off leaves every day or multiple times a week, then your plant will start to struggle. The best advice we can give is to watch your plant and see if it continues to do well at the rate of clipping you are doing, and if not, then slow down on removing leaves. Cheers! –Ashley at Fifth Season Gardening
Christine Carter says
I would like this message presented to include other cacti also . It is very helpful. But I would love to be educated like this for other cacti please. Thank you.
Davis says
Whenever i use aloe vera gel on my face it used spinch me what is the cause