Aloe vera is an attractive succulent houseplant that is low-maintenance and has many uses. That makes it the perfect houseplant for anyone just getting in touch with nature. As long as you have it in a happy spot and you don’t water it to death, your aloe plant could live for over a decade! Aloe has been used for ages to treat burns and minor skin irritations such as scrapes, cuts, sunburn, and insect bites.

How to Grow Aloe 

The most important thing to provide for your aloe plant is light. Bright light is the key to success. However, you do not want your aloe to get direct sunlight, as it may burn the leaves, which is ironic considering it is the plant that treats burns.

Be sure that your aloe has good drainage. The plant does best in well-drained quality potting soil. We recommend our custom blend for houseplants as it doesn’t contain fertilizer, as most houseplants only like a bit of fertilizer. If you have a saucer or tray under your pot, be sure to pour out the excess water so that it is not left sitting with wet feet. Aloe vera only needs a little water. Their fleshy leaves hold water, making it unnecessary to be vigilant about water. The best time to water your aloe is when the top three-quarters of an inch of soil is dry. Overwatering is the number one cause of death among these plants. People are so determined to keep it alive that they literally love their aloe to death.

Terracotta pots are the best choice for aloe. They are porous and allow the roots to dry out between waterings, making the watering chore almost foolproof. Be sure that whatever pot you use has sufficient drainage holes in the bottom. You must feed your plant every eight weeks from around April to September. Use a liquid fertilizer that you mix according to directions when you water. 

The succulent-like leaves of the aloe plant house a clear gel that contains different active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, sugars, enzymes, salicylic acids, and amino acids. This gel is harvested regularly for skin care products, making it a valuable houseplant to have around if you’re prone to skin irritation or sunburn.

Propagation

Aloe is very easy to propagate. It will produce small offsets at the base of the plant. You can carefully divide these from the parent plant directly into their high-quality potting soil. Do not try to start a tiny plant in a large pot. Use a container that is more fitted to the size of the plant itself. Aloe is a slow grower. At least, that’s what it is supposed to be. Our experience has been that aloe is more of a moderate grower. If your Aloe vera is truly happy, you will see more rapid growth.   

Common Problems

• Red Leaves –  If you see that the leaves of your aloe are turning reddish, this is a sign of too much direct light. Simply move your plant to a new location where it will not receive direct sunlight.  Basically, this means it has received light from the sun’s rays as they shine directly into your window. Move it to a window where the sun rays do not directly penetrate or somewhere in the same room but farther from the window.
• Wrinkled leaves – If you notice that your aloe suddenly looks like a cross-country road map, chances are pretty good that your plant is dehydrating. DO NOT suddenly soak your plant if it has gotten to this point. This near-death experience will make it hard for your aloe to take up the water at a speed that would keep the roots from rotting.  Instead, just give your plant a little bit of water daily for several days, and be sure to mist its leaves. When the leaves have returned to their regular firm form you may resume regular watering. 
• Pale or yellow leaves –  This is a sure sign that there is not enough light. Move the aloe to a brighter spot, but not where it will receive the sun’s rays directly.
• Scale—This will appear as brownish blobs or spots on the leaves. It is actually insects. Gently wipe the leaves with a cotton pad soaked in organic insecticide, and this should take care of the problem. 
• Brown Mushy leaves – This is usually overwatering. Once the leaves have reached this point, they are not coming back. Remove the mushy parts and the plant from the pot if any green leaves remain.  Lay the root ball out on cardboard or paper towels and remove any rotted roots you may see. Allow the root ball to dry out for 24 hours before returning it to its pot. Keep in mind that during the winter months, your aloe will go dormant, and other than misting the leaves once in a while, you do not have to water it during this time. Even if your house is very dry from the heating system, your aloe is not using water, so wetting the soil will only lead to bacteria growth and root rot.

So, enjoy your aloe plant. I love it for the low-maintenance plant that it is. Don’t assume that just because it is a plant, you must throw water at it often. Putting water on it while it is dormant is like pouring water on a sleeping person….it gets them wet but that’s about all.

Happy House Planting!!