Can Aloe Vera Plants Survive in Zone 5B?

The aloe vera plant thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.

Aloe vera is a small succulent plant with thick leaves that contain a gel often used to treat wounds, skin infections and burns. Aloe may be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 only. Zone 5b is much too cold.

Hardiness Zones

The USDA plant hardiness zone map is a chart created to help gardeners determine where particular plants may be grown. It consists of 11 zones divided according to average annual lowest temperature.

Aloe Vera's Needs

Aloe vera cannot survive temperatures lower than 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the minimum temperature in zone 9a. Even so, the plant will grow much better in higher zones. Anything lower is out of the question.

Growing Indoors

While aloe vera cannot survive winter outdoors in zone 5b, it may be grown as a potted plant indoors. The potted aloe may be placed outdoors during summer and taken indoors during colder months.

References

• Floridata: Aloe vera
• USNA: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map