Description
- Common names:
- Aloe Vera, Chinese Aloe, First Aid Plant, Burn Aloe, True Aloe, Sábila, Aloe de Barbados
- Botanical name:
- Aloe barbadensis mill., Aloe vera
- Description:
- A stemless succulent with thick, gel-filled leaves lined with small teeth. Native to Arabia, it's prized for its ornamental beauty and medicinal properties for treating burns.
Features
- Pet & Babies safety:
- Mildly Toxic if Ingested (use caution)
- Rarity:
- Common Household Favorite
- Form factor:
- Rosette, Architectural, Upright Bush, Flowering
- Air Purifier:
- Good Air Purifier (7/10)
- Origin:
- Arabian Peninsula
- Aesthetic advantages:
- Living Room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Office, Bookshelf, Modern, Minimalist, Southwestern, Desert Garden, Sunny Windowsill
Care Guide
Care level:
Beginner Friendly+
Aloe Vera is extremely forgiving and thrives on neglect, making it perfect for first-time plant parents. It tolerates irregular watering and adapts well to various indoor conditions with minimal fuss.
Light:
Bright / Indirect Light+
Place near a south or west-facing window where it receives bright, indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Leaves turning brown indicate too much direct sun, while stretching and pale color signal insufficient light.
Water:
Water Sparingly+
Water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry, typically every 2-3 weeks. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings, as overwatering can cause root rot in this drought-adapted succulent.
Humidity:
Low / Average Humidity+
Aloe Vera thrives in low to average household humidity of 30-50% and requires no special humidity adjustments. Its succulent nature makes it perfectly adapted to dry indoor environments.
Temperature:
Standard Room Temp+
Thrives in 13-27°C / 55-80°F with ideal temperatures around 18-24°C / 65-75°F. Protect from cold drafts and temperatures below 10°C / 50°F, which can cause damage to the fleshy leaves.
Hardiness zones:
Zones 9-11+
Hardy outdoors year-round in USDA Zones 9-11 where temperatures stay above 10°C / 50°F. In cooler zones, it can be moved outdoors in summer but must be brought inside before the first frost.
Fertilizing:
Light Feeder+
Feed with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer or specialized succulent fertilizer once every 2-3 months during spring and summer only. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant is dormant.
Repotting:
Repot Every 2-3 Years+
Repot every 2-3 years or when roots emerge from drainage holes and the plant becomes top-heavy. Use well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix and choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one.
Cleaning:
Dust Occasionally+
Gently wipe leaves with a soft, damp cloth every few weeks to remove dust buildup and help the plant photosynthesize efficiently. Avoid using leaf shine products as they can clog the pores.
Propagation:
Easy to Propagate+
Easily propagated by removing offsets (pups) that grow at the base of the mother plant and planting them in well-draining soil. Allow the cut end to callus for 1-2 days before potting to prevent rot.