Aloe Vera Plants: Easy To Grow Succulents

Aloe Vera Plants (Aloe Barbadensis) are believed to be native to Africa, and are best known for the medicinal uses of the gel-like sap inside their leaves.

They are easy to grow indoors as house plants, as well as outdoors in the garden or landscape.

Aloe Vera Plants belong to the Liliaceae family, and can be planted year round in USDA zones 9 through 11. When planted outdoors in a container, these plants can be brought indoors during the winter if you live in a cold climate.

Aloe plants can grow up to two feet tall, with a spread of two to three feet wide. Their spiny edged, fleshy green leaves grow in a rosette on a short stem.

Aloe is a versatile plant that can be grown in containers, or planted outside as an accent or ground cover in the garden or landscape.

Aloe Vera Plant Care - Indoors

Aloe plants are easy to grow and care for when potted as houseplants. The gel-like sap inside their leaves can be applied topically to the skin to treat minor burns, sunburns, scratches, and abrasions.

Tips for Houseplant Care

Lighting - Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade. A sunny window is an ideal location.

Temperature – Room temperature should be 65-78° F. Keep away from hot or cold drafts.

Soil & Fertilizer – Use a cactus soil mixture, or a commercial potting soil with perlite or sand added into the mix. Feed once a month with an all purpose, liquid fertilizer for strength.

Watering – Aloe Vera Plants are drought-tolerant, and can be watered once every two to three weeks. Be sure to allow soil to dry out completely between watering.

Tips for Propagating and Potting

Aloe plants are easily propagated by removing the offsets (also known as pups) that are produced at the base of the mature plant (wait until they are at least 2 inches tall).

If propagating, cut the offset away from the mature plant with a sharp knife. If repotting, gently remove the plant from the container and separate offsets (if any). It is okay to cut the plant roots.

Choose a container with good drainage. One that will allow for future growth.

Fill the pot with several inches of potting soil. If you’d like you can use two parts packaged potting soil, one part perlite, and add one tablespoon of slow-release fertilizer.

Place the Aloe Vera Plant in the center of the container. Hold the plant upright as you add soil around the plant. Gently press the soil around the edges of the plant.

Water the plant so that the water runs out of the drainage hole.

Aloe Plant Care - Outdoors

Aloe plants are drought-tolerant and can be planted year round in hardiness zones 9-11. Aloe can be planted outdoors in a container, used as a border, or mass planted as ground cover. This plant will thrive when planted in rich, organic soil with good drainage.

Tips for Outdoor Care

Be sure you choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade.

Allow 12 to 18 inches between plantings.

During summer, soil should be watered until completely soaked. Allow soil to become completely dry between watering. Aloe will require less water during winter months.