How to Care for an Aloe Plant

The aloe vera plant is a well-known medicinal plant. Most people have heard about aloe's ability to heal burns and other wounds. This succulent and attractive plant is very easy to care of and to keep for first-aid purposes.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Soil that is loose and well-draining
• Lots of sunlight

1. Plant your aloe vera in loose, well-draining soil. A cactus soil mix works well. You can also use a general commercial potting soil with extra perlite or sand thrown in. Avoid a pot that is too large; a foot-tall aloe can be very happy in a six-inch pot.

2. Fertilize your aloe at half-strength or less no more than once a month. If you use a fertilized soil, you may be able to fertilize as little as once a year. Never fertilize your aloe plant at greater than half-strength.

3. Avoid over-watering. The aloe plant does not care for much water, and the soil should be allowed to dry out completely for seven-to-ten days. Water it once every two-to-three weeks. During the winter months, you can water it even less.

4. Give your aloe vera plant lots of sun. If you live in an area that does not see much rain, you can keep it outside during the warm months, but in most areas, a sunny window will do. Because the plant contains over 95 percent water, it is extremely susceptible to frost.

5. Propagate your healthy aloe by removing the small offset shoots that will grow near the base of the plant if your care has been good. Stick these in soil conditions such as those outlined in Step 1.

Resources

• Learn to care for an aloe plant at The Garden Helper.