Easy to find and care for tropical plants. These are my tips and tricks, and they are specific to my plants and their environment in my home so make sure that you pay attention to your plants and their space when researching how to care for them.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. It won’t cost you anything, but it helps me to run this site.
Aloe Vera is a beautiful plant that comes in many different varieties. I have a traditional aloe vera plant at home so that is what my advice is based on. Be sure to double-check with your own research if you have a different species. My aloe vera is from a big box store but still doing very well. Traditional aloe vera can be cut on the leaves to use the gel inside for medical purposes like cuts, burns, and more. People even use aloe vera in their skincare and hair routines. I love how easy my aloe vera is to care for and how simply beautiful she is.
Water: Let the soil dry up; once every other week (Growing season) or once a month (Winter/Dormant season)
- This plant does love to dry out so make sure that the dirt is completely dried out before watering again. Use the schedule sparingly and water more according to the soil moisture. Over-watering causes squishy leaves that tend to flop over the sides of the pot and underwatering causes the leaves to become thin, as they steal the leaves’ water to survive.
Fertilizer: Once a month (Growing season) or once every other month (Winter/Dormant season) (succulent food is best)
- This plant doesn’t need much fertilizer and unless I see it actively growing I tend not to fertilize after like September until the next growing season. If your plant is putting out pups it may be a good idea to add some fertilizer to the next watering for some extra nutrients.
Humidity: Dry; don’t mist
- This is a desert plant so do not mist it.
Sun: Loves full sun and likes part sun
- I recommend giving this plant as much sun as you can. Touching the window is the only time my aloe has ever had any problems with leaf burns but this depends on which direction the window is facing. Windows that get less sun are very good places for your Aloe to live. Leaves turn yellow and/or orange when burned.
Cleaning: Not needed
- It’s not really needed but I personally shower this plant when I water it, so it is still getting cleaned.
Repotting: Every other year
- This plant should be planted in well-draining and sandy soil (succulent soil works well). Aloe also likes to be a bit root bound before potting so check the roots before re-potting.
Toxic? For humans, dogs, cats, and horses
- Signs of ingestion are vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Call your local vet or the ASPCA hotline (888)426-4435 if you think your pet ingested your aloe plant.
Growth: Mine was a slow grower and has only produced a few new leaves in over a year until I put in a window with more sun and now it is taking off and growing like crazy.
Propagation: Separate new pups growing around the mother plant.
- Aloe grows little pups attached by roots. When repotting just cut off the pups with a clean pair of shears. Leave an inch or more of root on the pup, leave the pup out for the end to callous over, and then re-pot it directly into soil and water as a mature Aloe.
Cost? $5+
- They can be cheaper at your local grocery store or nursery but they do have a good selection of them online as well.
