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About False Aloe
False Aloe is a relatively rare houseplant šæ that is easy to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light āļø 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.
Taxonomy
Agave virginica
Agave
Asparagaceae
Asparagales
Also known as
Rattlesnake master and Virginia agave

How to care for False Aloe

How often to water your False Aloe

every 12
False Aloe needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for False Aloe in your home

a window
False Aloe love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
False Aloe does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of False Aloe in your home š”.

How to fertilize False Aloe

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 itās 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 yearāwhichever comes first.

False Aloe is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
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.
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 šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
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.
Soil
False Aloe is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt 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!
Fertilizer
False Aloe grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itās 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.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
False Aloe can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
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
Care Summary for False Aloe
False Aloe
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
