Have you ever been interested in learning How to Grow Aloe Vera?
Do you think it’s too hard?
Or are you unsure of how to start?
Or where to go for the best information?
Well, I have great news!
I have created How to Grow Aloe Vera Indoors & Outdoors so that you can enjoy this beautiful succulent all year, no matter where you live.
And if you scroll to the bottom you will find 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to help make growing Aloe Vera that much easier!
[toc]
Choose These 7 Aloe Vera Types (Tip #1)
Are you interested in aloe vera as a houseplant? Or maybe to add color or uniqueness to your yard or garden?
Not only is Aloe Vera a beautiful succulent to have as an indoor plant or even planted in a garden, but it has many natural uses that you can use it for.
I am recommending 7 general types of Aloe Vera Plants when learning how to grow aloe.
These are the easiest aloe vera to grow and care for regardless of whether they are in a container or in your garden.
1. Stone Aloe
Stone Aloe is also called Aloe Petricola and is known for its orange, yellow, and vibrant red colors.
This is a very unique type of aloe vera, which makes it a perfect addition to any garden. It should be noted that it is best suited for outdoors and not for indoor pots.
Stone Aloe has been known to improve overall air quality and also helps minor scratches and burns.
2. Climbing Aloes
Climbing Aloe is also known as Aloe Ciliaris and is known for its ability to climb up to 15 feet tall.
It is a beautiful plant that has large orange and yellow flowers which is great for attracting bees and birds.
- Related: USEFUL Plants that Attract Bees
Not only this, but it blooms all year making it the perfect indoor houseplant for any environment.
3. Cape Aloe
Cape Aloe is also known as Bitter Aloe or Red Aloe and is unique because of its high bitterness.
This type of Aloe grows red flowers that can grow as long as 4 feet.
It’s primary use is for medicinal purposes such as burns, skincare, and nourishing your skin.
This type of aloe is best grown in gardens.
4. Coral Aloe
Coral Aloe is also known as Aloe Striata and is unique because of its pink tink on aqua leaves.
This type of aloe is very strong, can survive hot, humid, and dry environments, and is perfect to make air quality better.
Best of all is that you can grow it indoors and in your garden!
5. Lace Aloe
Lace Aloe is also known as Aloe Aristata and is a stemless succulent known for its white speckles.
It grows with dark green leaves and beautiful blossoming orange flowers. It’s flowers can grow up to 2 feet long and is known for attracting pollinators like birds, bees, and insects.
You can plant this in the garden or indoors, but it benefits from having other plants around it.
And it can be used as a healing medicine or to even just help you relax.
6. Candelabra Aloe
Candelabra Aloe is also known as Aloe Arborescens and is known for its ability to 10 feet tall.
This type of Aloe is known not only for its ability to grow very large but also for the ability to grow multiple heads.
The flowers are a bright orange and red color that sticks well above the leaves and has been known to help fight harmful organisms.
Because of its size, you should grow this succulent outside.
7. Spider Aloe
Spider Aloe is also known as Aloe Humilis and has long, triangle leaves with white speckles.
It grows beautiful red, orange, and yellow flowers and is the most popular choice among gardeners. It is the perfect choice for indoor gardening and outdoor gardens or raised garden beds.
Most people use it for its gel that can soothe sunburns.
How to Plant Aloe Vera Indoors (Tip #2)
When learning how to grow aloe vera indoors you should follow the below basic and simple steps.
Step 1
Fill a small pot (that has a hole on the bottom for draining) about 50% full with well-draining soil. The best type of soil is rich and dry.
Next, add 25% of organic compost to help encourage fast growth and flower blooms.
Step 2
Next, place your aloe vera into the pot. You will want the root ball (where the roots meet the plant) planted slightly below the top of the pot.
Cover the root ball with your soil and compost mix. Never cover the leaves of your aloe vera.
Step 3
It is then highly recommended that you cover the dirt with small, white pebbles.
This will help minimize evaporation and will also help retain heat within your pots, which is great if you live in a colder climate.
Step 4
Wait 1 week before you water your Aloe.
Aloe Vera does not need to be watered immediately because they keep the water supply in their leaves for long periods of time.
The reason not to water new or damaged aloe vera roots can cause root rot. This will stunt or destroy your plant.
Step 5
Aloe Vera prefers at least 8 – 10 hours of sunlight to grow best.
In order to do this you should place it in front of a window that is facing west or south if you live in the northern hemisphere or west or north if you live in the southern hemisphere.
If you do not believe you will get enough sunlight or heat through your window then you will want to purchase a grow light and a heat mat.
If your leaves begin to turn brown they may be getting too much sunlight and you will want to place your plant in the shade towards the evening hours.
Step 7
Most Aloe Vera Plants do not require fertilizing to grow.
If you do decide to fertilize, it is best to do so in late spring right before the growing season begins.
Step 8
If you notice that your aloe vera begins growing leaves along the soil up against the container edges then it is time to transplant your plant.
It is recommended that you move your aloe vera plant to a container that is twice the size of your current pot.
How to Grow Aloe Vera in a Garden (Tip #3)
When learning how to grow aloe vera in a garden you should follow the below basic and simple steps.
Step 1
If you would like to keep your aloe vera in a garden all year then you need to live in USDA hardiness zones 9 – 11. If you live outside of these zones there is a chance cold weather will kill your succulent.
Also, you should make sure you plant your aloe vera in a garden that will be kept at temperatures above 25 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Raised Garden Beds tend to keep your succulent warmer in the winter than traditional gardens.
- Related: Best Raised Garden Beds
In addition, you should plant your aloe vera in an area of your garden that will get 8 – 10 hours of direct sunlight.
Step 2
Next, plant your aloe vera in your garden or in a spot in your yard that has well-draining soil. And it is recommended to mix compost into your soil when planting your succulent.
Dig a hole that is twice the size of your root ball (where the roots meet the plant).
Cover the root ball with your soil and compost mix. Never cover the leaves of your aloe vera.
Step 3
It is then highly recommended that you cover the dirt with small, white pebbles.
This will help minimize evaporation and will also help retain heat within your pots, which is great if you live in a colder climate.
Step 4
Wait 1 week before you water your Aloe.
Aloe Vera does not need to be watered immediately because they keep the water supply in their leaves for long periods of time.
The reason not to water new or damaged aloe vera roots can cause root rot. This will stunt or destroy your plant.
In the summer you will want to water your aloe vera once a week. When your plant goes dormant in the winter you will want to water it once a month.
Step 5
Most Aloe Vera Plants do not require fertilizing to grow.
If you do decide to fertilize, it is best to do so in late spring right before the growing season begins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In order to propagate new plants from your adult Aloe Vera you should follow the below steps:
1. If growing your Aloe Vera in a container you should wait until it fills the container. If you are growing your Aloe Vera in a garden you should wait 2-3 years.
2. Wait until “young pups” begin emerging from your aloe vera. “Young Pups” are new plant growth that will grow out of the drainage holes of pots or even grow on the soil ground. These will be light green and will not have the spiny spikes that adult succulents have.
3. If you have aloe vera growing on the ground young pups will grow along the soil line or will grow up through the soil next to your plant.
4. Before propagating your “young pups” you should wait until your plant grows to 4-5 inches tall and has several sets of leaves.
5. Take a sharp, clean knife and cut your young pup where it connects to the adult plant. If it is underground then dig a hole around the young pup and cut where its roots meet the adult plant.
6. Leave your cut plant in the open air for a few days to let the wound heal.
7. Plant your new aloe vera in a pot or garden as described in the above steps.
8. If your aloe vera plant has no roots you should water it every 3 days until it does. Once it has roots water it once a week.
9. Follow the care steps as described above.
In order to have the best success growing Aloe Vera, there are several care tips you should take advantage of. These include:
1. Fertilize once a year. You should fertilize your aloe vera in late spring or early summer before your succulent begins growing again.
2. Remove weeds as they grow in your pots or around your Aloe Vera. Because Aloe Vera is planted in loose soil gently pull weeds out in order to minimize the disturbance to your plant.
3. If your Aloe Vera leaves are low to the ground or look flat then you need to increase the amount of sunlight to it.
4. If your leaves are brown then it may mean your plant is receiving too much sunlight. Move it or transplant it to a less sunny area.
5. If your leaves are thin and curled then you need to water one more time a week than you are doing now.
6. If your leaves turn yellow or if they begin falling apart then you have watered too much and should reduce how often you water by 50%.
Pruning an Aloe Vera plant can be easy if you follow the few simple steps below:
1. Use a sterilized kitchen knife or scissors.
2. Carefully cut the dead or diseased leaves. You will want to make the cut where the leave connects to the stem of the succulent.
3. Cut the outermost leaves next. Never remove more than 20% of the leaves at once.
4. Remove all old stems or old blossoms where the stems meet the plant.
5. Remove all growth that is in the soil, but away from the plant.
There are many uses of Aloe Vera. Some of the uses of aloe vera include:
– Burn Healer – Soothe and heal your wounds
– Oral Health – Great for toothpaste and mouthwash
– Antibacterial – Great for digestion
– Healthy Immune System – Can increase immunity and absorption of nutrients
– Diaper Rash – Soothe and heal your wound
– Muscle Pain – Anti-inflammatory properties to decrease pain
– Fight Acne – Help clear low to mild acne via anti-inflammatory properties
– Weight Loss – Can boost your metabolism to help reduce weight
Below, is a list of the proper tools you need to effectively grow aloe vera:
– Garden Container
– Aloe Vera Plant
– Well – Draining Soil
– Organic Compost
– Fertilizer
– Watering Can
– Hand Shovel
When Aloe Vera flowers bloom its beautiful. Unfortunately due to the heat, water, and lighting requirements, indoor aloe vera will not bloom.
For outdoor aloe vera to bloom you will want to keep your plant in as much sunlight for as long as you can during the spring and summer.
Not only this, but your aloe vera needs to be kept in temperatures that will not get lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night during the spring and summer.
Make sure you give your aloe vera plant time to go dormant. This will allow your succulent the best chance to bloom in late winter and early spring.
Finally, make sure your plant is getting enough water. This should be enough to prevent your succulent from drying out, but not enough that the soil is always damp.
Aloe Vera is susceptible to the usual indoor pests like mealybugs and the outdoor pests like spider mites and aphids.
To prevent common pests from attacking your plant make sure not to overwater it. In addition, you will want to spray it with sevin insecticide. This will help encourage your plant to stay healthy.
Aloe Vera is susceptible to root rot, soft rot, fungal stem rot, and leaf rot.
In order to prevent these diseases, you should not overwater your plant. Also, do not water the leaves of your plant.
It is quite easy to harvest aloe vera. First, cut your mature leaf where it connects to the plant.
After, you will want to cut your aloe vera leaf lengthwise. This will allow you to use the aloe vera your harvest. 
You can store Aloe Vera one of three ways:
1. You can wrap the entire Aloe Vera leaf in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Aloe Vera will last 4-5 days this way.
2. You can place the entire Aloe Vera leaf in a freezer bag and place it in the freezer. Aloe Vera will last 6-8 months this way.
3. You can leave your Aloe Vera in a plastic bag at room temperature. Aloe Vera will last 3-4 hours this way.
