Aloe vera
4.7 out of 5 (1343 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
About Aloe vera
Sunburnt folks around the world turn to Aloe to soothe their skin, but did you know humans have been using Aloe for almost 4,000 years? 🤯
Beyond sunburns, Aloe vera gel is known for soothing a variety of ailments such as wounds, skin infections, hair loss, eczema, and more. Aloe was known worldwide for its healing properties and became a skin care staple across ancient cultures in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Babylonia, and China. 🧴
Aloe is a sun-loving plant that evolved in the deserts of the Arabian peninsula. They’ve developed many clever tricks that help protect them from the harsh rays of the sun, many of which help soothe us as well! 😎
Taxonomy
Aloe vera
Aloe
Asphodelaceae
Asparagales
Also known as
Barbados Aloe, Burn Aloe, Coral Fire, True Aloe and Aloe vera 'hedgehog'
How to care for Aloe vera
How often to water your Aloe vera
every 12
Aloe vera needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for Aloe vera in your home
a window
Aloe vera love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Aloe vera does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Aloe vera in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Aloe vera
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Aloe vera after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Hey everyone! Hi guys! I'm just wondering how to take care of my aloe plant. I just got it and I'm wondering how to take care of it.
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My aloes leaves got sunburnt and aren’t looking too great, how do I save him? #AloeVera
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Hey everyone! Hey guys!! I'm wondering how big my aloe plant can get and how long it would take. I just got this little guy from Walmart and this is my first time taking care of one, cna you give me a schedule? I also have this star plant. Greg says it's a succulent so I might keep it on my routine. 6 hours of daylight and I will water it 1 time every 2 weeks.
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My aloe vera is turning brown! My aloe Vera is turning brown when I first got it, it was inside the house by the window where the sun hits all day but I have a small space and it was taking most of it I decided to take it outside first I put it in the shade where the sun doesn’t hit that much since where I live in the desert it get to 120 degrees lately it’s been almost 100 degrees outside I didn’t wanted to shock it from being in the sun considering it gets out here, I have been water it once every 2-4 days since I check everyday by the next day the soil is very dry and I don’t want to overwater it either.
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Anyone know what’s orange and growing out of my aloe plant?
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Is this yellow signs of rot? Do I keep taking Leaves off to find where to chop? He has NOT been doing well and i should have chopped him sooner! completely rotted root, have removed 4 leaves already. I have never had luck with aloes in the past but this is one of the few plants in my collection that are “my partner’s” and he isnt going to take the news well. Want to do this right 🙏 #AloeVera #HappyPlants
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I wasn’t getting enough light in my room so I put him outside but it was too hot for him and he’s starting to turn brown and be frail and I don’t know what to do #AloeVera
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Aloe help! Keanu Leaves looks so sad. Getting droopy and brown/yellowing….what do I need??
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My Aloe is outside enjoying the Sun
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How do I get this one growing?
Care Summary for Aloe vera
Aloe vera
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 943
Fast grower 576
Easy to propagate 313
Large, lush leaves 209
Browns easily 126
Blooms easily 65
Pest magnet 26
04/05/2022
This plant was a gift from my sisters teacher as a baby aloe. My mom is not good with plants and he was dying so I swooped in and took care of him. He's grown so much and has given me many baby's even though he is a bit neglected, I have since paid more attention and he is doing great!
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
02/21/2022
Don’t overwater this poor baby! Once a week is usually sufficient! I love that in larger plants, it propagates on its own and is simple to remove the new plants into another container! I occasionally feed mine leftover plain coffee watered down, and it seems to help it grow larger. I have an enormous outdoor planter with an aloe that’s so large that it’s falling over. I’ve cut it back and reported at least three times in the past four or five years!!
02/02/2022
* This plant sits in a west-facing window sill in a small terracotta pot. I water it about every 15 days or so.*
This plant is not one of my favorites. It's just an aloe. I can't remember how I acquired it, but it's been hanging out in my window sill for years now. One daughter says they are good to eat (yuck). One daughter says they are good for her skin (okay). I keep my plant out of reach of my daughters.
Word to the wise: DO. NOT. OVERWATER. EVER.