Category: Plant of the Week

This charming and easy going succulent is one of the most commonly grown houseplants. Known for its medicinal water-like gel, the Aloe Vera is incredibly popular among houseplant enthusiasts. There are over 300 species of Aloe, though most of the commonly cultivated indoor varieties retain many of the same characteristics. Their identifiable rosette structure with pointy leaves and jagged edges make them an attractive specimen and under the right conditions, these plants can get rather large!

Watering

Like most succulents, Aloes like to dry out. Being from rather arid climates, they are no stranger to drought. When watering, deeply water your aloe through, then allow the soil to dry out. Once the soil has dried out completely, water thoroughly once more and repeat. When aloes go too long without water, the leaves will begin to pucker slightly and ripple. After being watered again, it will recover. While they can handle some of this, try to avoid frequent and repeat droughts as this will stress your plant out and can lead to an eventual death. 

Light

Aloes love the sun and the brighter the light the better. When indoors, a western or a few feet back from a southern window would be a perfect spot for an aloe. While they love bright light, too much could scorch the leaves, especially after long summer days so take care to monitor you aloe for sunburn when placed close to windows that are super bright and hot!

Fertilizing

Aloes are easy and do not require high soil fertility. If you feel so inlined to give your aloe a little something extra, use a cactus/succulent blend once every 2-3 months in the spring and summer and hold off during the fall and winter.