How to Care for an Aloe Houseplant
The popular aloe vera plant is easy to keep and grow indoors. Sometimes called the burn plant, the succulent's spiky, plump leaves contain a transparent gel that has been used for thousands of years to treat minor burns, wounds, skin infections and other skin conditions. (See Reference 2.)
Although an aloe vera plant rarely blooms indoors, its thick, long leaves form an attractive fan of spikes from a central base.
Lace aloe and partridge-breasted aloe also make attractive, although not medicinal, houseplants. Follow the same indoor care instructions for all aloe varieties.
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Instructions
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Care and Feeding
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1
Place your potted aloe houseplant where it receives bright light, preferably from an east-facing or south-facing window.
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2
Water just enough to keep the soil lightly moist from spring to fall. In the winter, water less but do not let the soil become completely dry, according to "The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual" by Barbara Pleasant.
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3
Fertilize with houseplant fertilizer once a month from spring through fall, if desired. Do not fertilize during winter months.
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4
Repot every other year or as needed to rejuvenate the soil and give the plant more room to grow. "The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual" recommends repotting in the spring.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Keep an aloe vera plant close at hand in the kitchen, where minor burns are most likely to happen. The gel from inside the aloe vera plant's leaves can be rubbed directly on the skin to soothe the burn. (Reference 1, pp. 78)
Although aloe can be moved outdoors in the summer, move it gradually as the plant can sunburn when moved from low indoor light to bright sun too quickly. Likewise, move it back indoors gradually in the fall, the "The Houseplant Survival Manual" recommends.
