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How to Plant and Grow Aloe Vera

green aloe vera plant in a white pot with a wooden wall background
Image Credit:
Sunwand24/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Aloe vera
Grown as
Tender Perennial
USDA Zones
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Toxicity
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Water Needs
Low
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
Orange
Pink
Red
Yellow
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Low Maintenance
Resilience
Drought-Tolerant
Heat-Tolerant
Plant Type
Houseplants
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Aloe there! If you want a houseplant that practically takes care of itself and doubles as a self-regenerating first-aid kit, aloe vera is a great choice. Just be aware: aloe vera is toxic to cats and dogs if they eat it, so keep it out of paw’s reach. 

This low-maintenance succulent superstar thrives as long as it gets plenty of light and you don’t overwater it. Whether you’re a first-time plant grower or want to expand your indoor jungle, we’ll show you how to grow happy, healthy aloe vera and keep it thriving year-round.

Planting

When to Plant Aloe Vera

You can plant aloe indoors at any time of the year—yep, they’re that easy! I find they settle in best when planted in spring, which is when they’re actively growing.

Aloe vera plants and pups
Photo by cgdeaw/Shutterstock

Where to Plant Aloe Vera

Plant aloe vera in a pot and place it in an area that gets lots of sun. Many people keep aloe vera indoors (away from pets!), but you can also keep it outdoors when temperatures stay above 50°F.

Pot type: Use terracotta pots with drainage holes so water can flow freely. Terracotta pots dry out faster than plastic ones, which can help prevent root rot. They’re also heavy enough to keep plants from tipping over. 

Pot size: Choose a pot 1-2 inches wider than the root ball—aloe plants don’t have extensive root systems, so they don’t need much room under the soil. Small aloes grow fine in 4- to 6-inch pots, but you may need to move them to larger pots as they grow. Learn more about when and how to repot aloes and other houseplants.

Potting mix: Potted aloe vera plants grow best in potting mixes intended for succulents and cacti. To make your own, blend 2 parts standard potting mix, 1 part perlite or pumice, and 1 part grit or horticultural sand. 

Sunlight: Place aloe vera in a spot that gets at least 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight—aloe loves the sun! It’s best if the spot gets some shade during the hottest part of the day, especially if you live in a hot climate. 

Did you know? If winters are mild where you live, you can plant aloes in a sunny spot in your garden. Just make sure the soil drains well.

How to Plant Aloe Vera

  1. Carefully remove the aloe plant from its nursery pot. Support the leaves with one hand to avoid accidentally breaking them. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife gently around the edges to loosen the soil.
     
  2. Add several inches of well-draining potting mix to the bottom of your new container. Not sure if your potting mix is well-draining? Find out what it means and how to identify it. Gently remove some of the old soil from the plant’s roots.
     
  3. Place the plant in the new pot at about the same depth as it was in its nursery container. Cover the roots with potting mix, gently pressing it down with your fingers. If your plant has a long stem beneath its leaves, bury it so the soil comes up just below the lowest leaves.
     
  4. Water your newly planted aloe and settle it into its sunny new spot—easy peasy!

how to care for aloe vera infographic

Growing

Watering

  • In summer, water aloes about once every 2 weeks when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry. In winter, water aloes even less—about once a month is usually enough. 
  • Water aloes deeply each time, letting extra water flow out. 

Did you know? It’s best to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Aloes are “drought-tolerant,” meaning they can handle dry soil.

Fertilizing

  • Feed aloes about once a year in the spring, when they’re actively growing. Aloes don’t need lots of fertilizer to grow well. 
  • I like using a liquid organic houseplant fertilizer diluted with water so it’s only half as strong. Organic fertilizer sticks can work too, but I find my pets are too attracted to them to use them in my home!

Pruning or Maintenance

  • Prune aloes only when needed. These plants don’t need much fuss and rarely need pruning. 
  • Trim away damaged leaves with a sharp, clean knife, but avoid cutting into the plant’s center where it’s actively growing. If you plan to harvest aloe leaves, trim only the outer leaves. 
  • As they grow, aloe plants may produce “pups,” a cute name for small baby plants that grow at the soil line. Leave them on the parent plant, or plant them separately if the pot starts to look overcrowded.

Seasonal Care

Indoor aloe plants need roughly the same care year-round. Just water them less often in winter. If you’re growing aloes outdoors, seasonal care is still pretty simple. 

Harvesting

When to Harvest 

  • Harvest aloe gel only from mature plants that are at least 2-3 years old. 
  • Pick the leaves several days after watering; that’s when they tend to have the most gel!

How to Harvest

  • Find a healthy, plump outer aloe leaf and use a sharp, clean knife to cut the leaf off where it meets the stem. 
  • Stand the leaf in a cup, cut end down, and leave it there for about 15 minutes. This process allows the natural latex inside aloe leaves (which can, ironically, irritate skin) to drain out. 
  • Rinse and dry the leaf well afterward. Place the leaf on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim away the thorny edges. 
  • Cut off the white base and pointed tip, leaving only the gel-filled section. 
  • Slice off the top and bottom green skin as if you’re filleting a fish. You can also use a spoon to scoop out the gel. 
  • Rinse the gel with clean water before using it on your skin.

Storage

  • Store fresh aloe gel in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week. 
  • If you want your aloe gel to last longer, pop it into ice cube trays, freeze it, and store the frozen cubes in a freezer-proof container for up to 6 months. 

Did you know? You can use a blender to get your aloe gel extra smooth!

Aloe vera cut open to expose the aloe vera gel

Pests and Problems

Even low-maintenance plants like aloe vera can have problems from time to time. 

Here’s how to spot common problems, pests, and plant diseases that might affect your aloe plants, and what to do next.

What You SeeLikely CauseWhat to Do
Brown, mushy leavesOverwateringCheck that your pot has drainage holes. Let the soil dry before watering again, and avoid letting the plant sit in water.
Yellowing leavesOverwatering or too much sun

If the leaves feel soft or mushy, overwatering is likely to blame. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings. Repot if the soil isn’t drying quickly. 

If the leaves feel firm, your plant may be getting too much sun. Move it to a spot with less intense sunlight.

Drooping leavesOverwatering, underwatering, or too little lightFeel the soil to check moisture. Adjust watering as needed, and make sure the plant gets enough light.
Pests that look like cottony fluff in joints and crevicesMealybugsDab plants with a cotton swap dipped in rubbing alcohol or spray with organic insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Pests that look like dark bumps on leaves Scale insects (hard-bodied versions of mealybugs)Dab plants with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or spray with organic insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Scale insects can be hard to treat, so reapply sprays if needed. 
Mushy stems/roots, plant collapse Root rot (from overwatering)Let soil dry thoroughly before watering. Repot in fresh soil that drains well if needed.
Dark, sunken spots on leaves; wilting Fungal stem rot (often from overwatering)Prune away damaged leaves, improve drainage, and water less often.

 

 

Types

There are over 500 species of distinct aloe plants. Here are a few beginner-friendly varieties to try: 

  • Aloe vera: Upright green leaves that grow fast and are filled with soothing gel. It’s the classic “true aloe,” used as a folk remedy for many years. 
  • Tiger aloe (Aloe variegata): Smooth leaves and uneven white striping (hence the tiger name)! This aloe stays small and fits well on windowsills or small spaces.
  • Lace Aloe (A. aristata): White-spotted leaves that have fine “teeth” along the edges. May tolerate cooler weather better than other varieties. 
  • Blue Aloe (A. glauca): Gorgeous silvery-blue leaves—it really lives up to its name! Grows bigger than the other aloes listed here. 

Wit and Wisdom

  • In traditional lore, aloe vera symbolizes regeneration, healing, and protection. 
  • Some believe aloe wards off the evil eye. 
  • Since ancient times, people have used aloe gel as a folk remedy, believing it to be a self-regenerating first-aid kit. 
  • The name “aloe” is said to come from Arabic or Hebrew words meaning “shining” or “bitter.” 
  • With proper care, aloe vera plants can live for decades.

Houseplant Guides
Sources
  1. National Institutes of Health — Second-Degree Burns and Aloe Vera: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 10/28/2020 - 15:31

Nevada is a diverse state with quite a few different zones (it ranges from Zone 4a in the mountains to Zone 10a at the southern tip), so check out the USDA's zone map to see which one you live in: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ 

It really depends on the type of succulent, but generally they are hardy into Zone 8. 

 <span>Wanda Carrol Warren</span> Fri, 10/23/2020 - 15:46
Aloe Vera juice is good to drink. I used to drink some daily, but it got too expensive. It's actually very good for you, and never made me sick. Thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 10/28/2020 - 15:22

Yes, processed aloe vera juice is a common drink! It's the unprocessed gel or liquid from the leaves that can cause poor reactions if ingested.

 <span>Liza</span> Thu, 07/30/2020 - 00:58
Help! My employer gave me an aloe plant at Christmastime - it was a pup off of a plant that was originally her late mother's. It looked really healthy until about 10 days ago when the outer leaves went from plump to thin and started drooping. The inner leaves are still plump and healthy looking. It also has a pup in the pot now and it looks healthy so far. I admit that I had forgotten to water it for a while, but I did water it when I saw it was looking sad. Is there something else I should be doing? I would hate to lose the plant! Thanks!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 10/28/2020 - 15:10

Watering is the right move. Leaves will get thin and droopy when not given enough water, so it sounds like yours just needed a drink!

 <span>Ellen</span> Thu, 06/25/2020 - 06:02
I bough an aloe plant that has been planted in what seems to be pebbles and without a hole for drainage. I overwatered it in the beginning, but water it less now, however one of the base leaves is still a bit mucky - looks like it's gotten too much water. Is this due to the pebbles and drainage problem and should I transplant it into a new pot with potting mix instead of pebbles? Or should I just water it even less?
<span>Peggy</span> Mon, 06/08/2020 - 13:28
I hope you can help me! My aloe plant is fairly new and it has really taken off! But now I seem to be getting brown tips and spots on the leaves. I’m watering it carefully and have it in very bright afternoon light. What am I doing wrong??
<span>Sheila Woodard</span> Sun, 06/07/2020 - 11:28
I have a 2 pots of aloe in different pots & locations, but the bottom leaves closest to the soil are turning brown and dying. What causes this? Also some of them have very short root base. Mainly both pots just have a lot of puppies in them. Please help.
<span>Kathy Gladd</span> Mon, 05/25/2020 - 11:18
My aloe and it’s repotted pup bloom every year. They are indoor plants put in a southern exposure. I live in Michigan and I’m going to put them outside for the first time this summer. They both have long thick stems and are growing out of the pot. I’ll have to trim a section out of the middle and repot. Wish me luck.
<span>Linda</span> Wed, 05/20/2020 - 19:30
Are they a danger to cats or even dogs ??