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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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?
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New-ish to gardening so I dont really know but my aloe Vera plant has this spot on it and it looks like it got pinched and flattened so will it heal on its own or fall off? #AloeVera
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Some parts are turning brown #AloeVera
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Why is my Aloe Vera turning yellow? It used to be a vibrant green.
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Having trouble understanding what my aloe vera needs. I'm new to this This aloe vera plant is a pup I received. It was yellow and only had 3 leaves when I received it. It seems to have grown, but I don't understand why the leaves are pencil thin, and I don't know how to thicken them. It is in a 4 inch terracotta pot, and I used a mix of indoor potting soil with added sand and a little compost. This may be my mistake here, but I am unsure. If anyone can recommend any good reputable soil brands for succulents or recipes for my own succulent soil, please let me know 🙏 I water her once a month, and I'm not sure if that's correct. And I don't get much sunlight in my room at all. Should I consider moving it outside? Her leaves are mostly green and firm, so I think she's mostly fine, but I need the leaves to thicken up. What do I do? #greg #greggang #question #succulent #aloevera #help #helpneeded #diagnosemyplant #diagnose #whatdoido
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Time for a repot.. My aloe is getting very squished in her pot with 7 pups! I want to propagate the pups but I’m nervous.. 😓 advice would be very much appreciated! Do I cut the pups off and wait for them to scab before repotting? What about the mother plant—do her wounds need to heal as well? Thanks in advance! #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PropagationStation #SucculentLove #PlantTherapy #NewPlantMom #PlantShelfie #AloeVera #SucculentLove #help
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My first aloe plant. Is it time to move to a bigger pot? #AloeVera
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Hi! I noticed that my the leaves on my aloe plant are turning black (as seen in the image) and the leaves are turning too soft, lifeless and more like soggy. Please advice. #AloeVera
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.