Plant Care False Aloe

False Aloe

About False Aloe

False Aloe is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

False Aloe likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

False Aloe belongs to the Agave genus, and is native to the United States.

⚠️ False Aloe is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Agave virginica
Agave
Asparagaceae
Asparagales

Also known as

Rattlesnake master and Virginia agave

How to care for False Aloe

💦 Water

How often to water your False Aloe

Water needs for False Aloe
0.5 cups
every 12

False Aloe 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.

Calculate water needs of False Aloe

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for False Aloe in your home

Light needs and placement for plant False Aloe: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

False Aloe love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

False Aloe does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of False Aloe in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize False Aloe

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for False Aloe: repot after 2X growth

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 False Aloe after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

False Aloe is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing False Aloe →

Common False Aloe Problems →


💦 Water Needs

False Aloe thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

False Aloe Water Frequency →

False Aloe Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

False Aloe requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

False Aloe Light Requirements →

False Aloe Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

False Aloe is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. False Aloe is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

False Aloe Toxicity to Cats →

False Aloe Toxicity to Dogs →

False Aloe Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

False Aloe prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

False Aloe Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

False Aloe is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for False Aloe →

When and How to Successfully Repot False Aloe →


💩 Fertilizer

False Aloe grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize False Aloe →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for False Aloe to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

False Aloe is native to the Americas.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

False Aloe is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

How and When to Prune False Aloe →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
False Aloe can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

False Aloe Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

False Aloe can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

  • Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
  • If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
  • Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
  • Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate False Aloe →


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with False Aloe. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


Care Summary for False Aloe

False Aloe

False Aloe


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.

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