How to Grow Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Houseplant
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to 5°C
Plant Family
Asphodelaceae
Growing Season
Year Round
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
The easiest way to get more aloe is from the baby plants (pups) that pop up around the base. When a pup has at least 4 leaves of its own, tip the plant out of the pot, and twist or cut the pup away with some roots attached. Let it sit in a dry spot for 1 to 2 days so the cut heals, then pot it in cactus mix and wait a week before watering.
Aloe vera is a tough succulent that stores water in its thick leaves, so it needs bright light and very little water. Too much water kills far more aloes than anything else. It is happy indoors all year and can spend summer outside once nights stay above 5°C (41°F), as long as you move it into full sun a little at a time so the leaves do not burn.
When To Start
Aloe Vera grows all year in the right spot, so there is no window to wait for.
We do not have exact sowing dates for this one yet.
When should you plant Aloe Vera?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Aloe Vera Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
Your Aloe Vera Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Pot up your aloe in cactus mix near a bright window
About 0 days after you plant it
See if your aloe needs a bigger pot
About 365 days after you plant it· every year· optional
Pot up the baby plants around your aloe to make more
About 120 days after you plant it· every year· optional
Check the soil of your aloe vera: water when the top 3 cm feel dry.
About 7 days after you plant it
Hi there! Aloe likes its soil to dry out fully between waterings, so when in doubt, wait a few more days.
About 30 days after you plant it
Your aloe has settled in. Bright light keeps it compact; if it leans or stretches, move it closer to a sunny window.
About 90 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Aloe Vera's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Give aloe your brightest window, ideally facing south or west, since low light makes the leaves stretch and flop.
- 2Plant it in cactus mix, or potting soil with plenty of sand or grit mixed in, in a pot with drainage holes.
- 3Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry, about every 2 to 3 weeks, and much less in winter.
- 4Feed it only once or twice in summer with a weak splash of compost tea, since aloe needs very little food.
- 5Soft, yellow or see-through leaves mean too much water, and thin, curled leaves mean it is thirsty.
- 6Aloe is toxic to cats and dogs if they chew it, so keep it out of their reach.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
60 cm
Mature Height
50 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
How to Harvest
- 1Pull off dry or damaged outer leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy.
- 2Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring, or when pups crowd the pot, into a pot only a little bigger.
- 3To use the gel on your skin, cut a thick outer leaf close to the stem and stand it cut end down in a cup for 10 minutes to drain the yellow sap, which irritates skin.
- 4Slice the leaf open and scoop out the clear gel to soothe sunburn and dry skin, but do not eat it.
- 5Take only 1 or 2 leaves at a time, so the plant stays healthy.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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