Aloe Vera Care Guide
Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Aloes
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Difficulty: Good for beginners
Light
Your aloe plant will be happiest in bright indirect sunlight. It’s important not to have them in extreme sunlight because they can get sunburned if they are kept in direct light for too long.
Water
Aloe plants love a good drought between each watering. They require water once the soil has dried out completely. Unlike most plants, aloe does not require watering in the winter because they go dormant. If your aloe plant is watered properly during the growing season, it will be able to survive its dormant season with minimal watering.
Climate
These guys do not like the cold! They are super comfortable in the 55°-85° F range. Be careful not to let them stay in temperatures below 55°F. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F, but do not do well once it gets frosty.
Soil
Aloe Vera is part of the succulent family, so you should use a well-draining cactus/succulent potting mix. They love sandy potting soil! Regular gardening soil is a BIG no with these guys as it will not provide enough drainage. We also recommend a palm and citrus potting mix that is perfect for growing your aloe in a pot.
Pests and Diseases
Aloe can attract aloe mites that are not visible to the human eye. You won’t know your plant is infested with them until galls start to form. Like many other plants, aloe can also attract mealy bugs and scale if they are under or over watered.
Tips
Use a pot made of teracotta or a similar porous material to allow proper drainage.
Your pot should be about as wide as its width.
Cover your aloe with a light blanket or cloth if there will be a frost.
Signs your Aloe is Vera unhappy
Pale, dry leaves: Water that baby!
Dark, dry leaves: too much (or too little) water
Brown tips: It’s watering time
Black spots: It’s also watering time!
How to propagate
Propagate aloe from its pups. Allow them to shoot up out of the soil before you try to take them for propagation. You want them to have their own leaves and root system before separating them from the mother plant. Carefully untangle the roots from each other after clearing away any dirt. You should be able to separate them without cutting or damaging the roots or leaves.
Prune away any leaves that do get damaged in the process. Place them into a pot of loose potting mix, and don’t pack the soil around the pups. It will take them some time to adjust to their new environment before they start to root. Let your plant dry out for a few days before watering them because they will need some time to recover.
Fun Facts
There are male and female aloe plants!
Male plants have larger, thicker, longer leaves.
Female plants sprout new pups on the reg., and they typically have thinner smaller leaves.
There are 400 varieties of the aloe plant.
The gel inside aloe leaves is used for medicinal purposes, but it is also edible.
Be careful eating it too often because aloe is a natural laxative.
Hardiness Zones
Before you move your plant outside, be sure to check the hardiness zone to save yourself some grief and the loss of a beloved plant.
The hardiness zones for aloe vera are: 8-11.
If you live in Tennessee, here’s a hardiness map to help you decide if your plant can survive outside!
