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Aloe vera

Aloe vera

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Aloe vera · Aloe vera

Fleshy rosette leaves, familiar both as ornament and household plant.

Care and placement

Needs plenty of light (4–6 hours of sun or a very bright window), deep but infrequent watering and a fast-draining mix; tolerates being pot-bound; keep water out of the rosette centre.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 60 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 60 cm

Things to consider

ASPCA lists aloe as toxic to dogs, cats and horses (saponins, anthraquinones): vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, red urine; only the gel is considered edible, while the yellow latex under the rind can cause diarrhea. Keep pets from chewing leaves.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

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How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Use a fast-draining cactus mix (add coarse sand or perlite if needed) in a pot with drainage holes that is not oversized. Aloe tolerates being pot-bound, which lowers the risk of rot.

  2. Light

    Needs bright light, ideally 4–6 hours of direct sun. In low light leaves become tall and thin and the plant is more prone to root rot.

  3. Watering

    Water deeply but infrequently, letting the mix dry 3–5 cm down: about every 2–3 weeks when warm and 4–6 weeks when cool. Keep water out of the rosette centre to avoid rot. Translucent, soft, mushy leaves at the base signal overwatering.

  4. Feeding

    Feed no more than monthly and only in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength; stop in cool months.

  5. Pruning

    Cut old, dry or damaged leaves at the base; remove spent flower stalks.

  6. Propagation

    Separate pups at least 5–7 cm tall with 4–5 leaves and their own roots: pull apart or cut the runner with a clean knife, let the cut callus for 1–3 days, plant in dry cactus mix and wait at least a week before watering. Leaf cuttings almost always rot.

  7. Pests and common problems

    Mealybugs and scale are the main pests, occasionally aphids; use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Overwatering causes soft rot: unpot, cut away mushy roots and leaves, dry in shade for 1–3 days, replant in dry mix and wait 2–3 weeks before watering.

  8. For plentiful, healthy leaves

    For a large, plump plant with many pups: lots of sun, a draining mix, sparing correct watering and light feeding in warm months. Mature, well-lit plants send up orange-yellow flower stalks.