There are many good reasons why this easy-care succulent is so popular as a houseplant and outdoors.
With its lance-shaped succulent leaves, aloe vera is an eye-catching plant.
Indoor plants remain much smaller and unlike aloe vera in the landscape, they rarely bloom.
The leaves are decorated with white spots and edged with small whitish teeth.
They are valued for their gel-like sap and are often used to soothe burns and moisturize skin.
Aloe vera is exceptionally easy to grow.
It needs very little water or care and is therefore an excellent plant for a new gardener.
Outdoors, select a location with morning sun and afternoon shade and well-drained slightly acidic soil.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the nursery pot and about the same depth.
Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball.
Gently tamp down the soil and water it well.
Water it lightly after planting.
Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
Aloe Vera Care Tips
Like manysucculents, aloe vera requires minimal care.
Light
Choose a bright spot, such as a south- or west-facing window, for aloe vera.
Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or close to a windowpane as its succulent foliage can get sunburned.
Soil and Water
Well-drained soilis essential.
Aloe vera does best with asoil pH of around 6.0.
This succulent thrives in dry soil.
Overwatering is one of the main problems for aloe vera houseplants.
Indoors,watering aloe plantsevery two weeks during the growing season is usually enough.
Water outdoor potted aloe about once a week, or when the top 1.5 inches of soil feel dry.
The pot size should be on the smaller size, with the roots filling about two-thirds of the pot.
Less room means less soil that can hold excess moisture.
The size of an aloe plant is determined largely by the space it has for root growth.
If you would like to maintain a small plant, confine it to a small container.
Repotting is only requiredevery two to five years.
Inspecting the plant regularly and manually removing the beetles promptly is your first line of defense.
The leaves are prone to burning in direct strong sunlight.
Yes you’re free to.
A patio or porch where a roof provides some afternoon shade and protection from rain is ideal.
Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society.
