Aloe Vera Care
Aloe vera needs sandy soil or a cactus potting medium to thrive in containers.
When grown outdoors in zones 10 through 12, plant thissucculentnext to others with similar needs.
Aloe requires little watering and virtually no fertilizing, making it an easy-care houseplant for beginner gardeners.
The Spruce / Michael Marquand
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Light
Aloe Vera needs bright, natural light so you can thrive.
When grown inside, aloe should be placed in a window with bright, indirect sunlight.
If the soil remains dry for long periods of time, the leaves will shrivel and pucker slightly.
The Spruce / Michael Marquand
If your climate is rainy during the winter, consider planting aloe in gravel or stones.
This will allow the water to run off and prevent rot.
Aloe can handle dry air just fine and does not require extra humidity.
The Spruce / Michael Marquand
Forty percent relative humidity is perfect.
That said, feeding potted aloe once a year each spring may help maintain vibrant growth.
A liquid 10-40-10 houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, works best for an annual feeding.
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Outdoors, aloe usually thrives without any fertilization.
Some have thorny leaves, some trail and climb, and others are round in shape.
you might also prune those damaged by environmental factors.
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Pruning leaves at the baseeither dead or alivewill encourage new growth while also making the plant aesthetically pleasing.
Never cut an aloe leaf in its center.
Repot your aloe when it becomes rootbound or if its pups seem to be overcrowded.
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Scale seldom kills the plant, but creates unsightly grey ridges on the leaves.
Mites can go unnoticed until cancerous galls form as a result of their feeding.
Wipe mealybugs away with a soft cloth, after spraying the plant with water.
Spray scale-infected leaves with this solution every three days for 14 days.
This disease is self-limiting and usually doesn’t require treatment.
Bacterial soft rot can also move in and is a fatal disease.
There is no treatment for this, but prevention starts by not overwatering.
Clusters of tubular yellow or orange blossoms resemble those ofred hot pokerplants.
Aloe vera is a finicky bloomer, though.
To have a go at force a bloom, you should probably recreate the plant’s natural desert conditions.
Potted plants can be placed outdoors in the summer for a better chance of flowering.
Consistently wet soil contributes to root rot and mushy leaves.
Rot at the roots can escalate the proliferation of bacteria or fungus, causing decay throughout the plants interior.
In its most severe stages, root rot and decay cannot be treated.
Aloe leaves have also been known to bend and break.
This condition provides a signal that your plant is not getting enough light to form stiff, healthy leaves.
Indoor aloe plants can live up to 12 years, if given proper care and in the proper environment.
Certain varieties of aloe have thorny leaves, making some gardeners believe this plant is a cactus.
However, aloe is a succulent that has a genus of its own calledAloe.
Cut brown tips to keep your aloe vera plant healthy and happy.
National Library of Medicine.
