How do I Care for & Feed an Aloe Vera Plant?

Aloe vera plants produce pups around the parent plant that you can use to grow new plants.

Aloe vera plants include over 250 different species around the world and are popular for the medicinal value of the gel-like substance contained in the leaves. Aloe vera are native in the Mediterranean and Africa, but can grow outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. These plants are often grown in pots in regions outside of these zones all across the country. You can place potted aloe vera plants outdoors during the warmer months and indoors during the colder months. Caring for aloe vera plants requires minimal maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Grow aloe vera plants in areas outside with well-drained, sandy soil and full sun to partial shade. Use special cacti soil mixes, or a mixture of high-quality potting soil with coarse sand, perlite or granite grit added to it for potted aloe plants.

2. Supply enough water during the summer months to soak the aloe vera plant's soil, and then wait until the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch before watering again. Allow the soil to completely dry in the winter before watering, since the aloe plant goes dormant at this time.

3. Apply a bloom-type fertilizer, such as 10-40-10, once each year during the spring. Follow the directions on the label, but dilute the fertilizer to half-strength.

4. Remove offsets, or pups, emerging around the aloe vera plant when the offsets reach at least 2 inches in height. Plant the new aloe vera plants in other locations or in new pots.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch for signs of over watering, which is common with aloe vera plants. This includes extremely soft or very dull-colored plant leaves. Stop watering and allow the soil to dry completely and then water the plant with a small amount until the appearance improves.

• Don't forget to move any potted aloe vera plants growing outside to an indoor location if the temperatures fall below freezing during the winter in your area.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Aloe Barbadensis
• Backyard Gardener: Growing Aloe Vera
• Aloe Vera Research: How to Take Care of Your Aloe Vera Plant

Resources

• Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona: Aloe Barbadensis
• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Aloe Plants