Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a hardy succulent best known for the soothing gel inside its thick leaves. It's tough and forgiving — as long as it gets enough sun and not too much water, it's hard to kill.
Care basics
- Light: Needs bright light — at least several hours of sun a day, ideally a south- or west-facing window. Too little light makes it grow weak.
- Water: Water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Aloe stores water in its leaves, so it tolerates drought far better than wet soil.
- Soil: A well-drained mix — a cactus/succulent blend or potting soil amended with sand or perlite.
- Temperature: Prefers roughly 55–85°F. It can't tolerate frost, so bring it in before cold weather.
- Fertilizer: Very little — feed lightly at most a couple of times in the growing season.
The 3 most common problems
1. Drooping or leggy, weak leaves from too little light
Aloe that doesn't get enough sun grows weak and stretches, and its leaves may droop. Fix: Move it to a bright, sunny window. See our leggy growth guide.
2. Mushy, soft, or yellowing leaves from overwatering
These are the classic signs of too much water. Aloe leaves are naturally fleshy with stored water, so when they turn soft and mushy, the roots are likely sitting in wet soil and may be rotting. Fix: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and make sure the pot drains. See our root rot guide.
3. Sunburned or scorched leaves
Too much harsh direct sun can damage leaves, especially on young plants. Fix: Acclimate the plant gradually to strong sun, and shade it from the harshest midday rays if needed.
Pet safety note: Aloe is toxic to dogs and cats — it contains compounds (saponins) that can cause vomiting. Keep it away from pets. (Source: ASPCA.)
A few extra tips
Aloe is an easy plant as long as you respect its two needs: a bright, sunny spot and dry-ish soil. A south-facing windowsill is ideal, and as long as it's watered properly and given bright light, it's genuinely hard to kill. If you move it outdoors for the summer, bring it back in well before any frost — aloe can't tolerate freezing. Over time the plant can be divided to make more, and keeping it in a pot with good drainage prevents the root problems that come from sitting in water.
Aloe at a glance
- Light: bright — several hours of sun a day, ideally a south- or west-facing window
- Water: water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely
- Soil: a well-drained cactus or succulent mix
- Temperature: roughly 55–85°F; no frost
- Watch for: weak, drooping, or leggy growth (too little light) and soft, mushy leaves (overwatering)
Aloe is a plant where less is more: strong light and a dry-ish soil keep it happy, and it stores water in its leaves so it copes well if you forget to water.