Aloe or Aloe vera is a tropical succulent and a trendy low-maintenance plant. It's an indoor gardening favorite with cheerful, thick green leaves that pour over the edges of its container. Plus, you can also cultivate it outdoors in zones 10 to 12 to add a stunning accent to your landscape!
With its easy requirements and vibrant foliage, it's no surprise that it's so popular. However, although it is easy to grow, you still need to look after gardening essentials like watering to keep your plant healthy. Learn how often you should water your aloe plant and why watering it properly is so important.
How Often to Water Aloe
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Generally, you should only water your aloe plant when the first third of the soil is dry. It's easy to check this too, wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry before you give it a drink. When watering it's better to err on the side of caution, the last thing you want to do is overwater your aloe resulting in mushy foliage.
To test for dry soil, simply stick your fingertip into the top third of the container. If the soil feels dry, then you can water your plant. Usually, this will be about every two to three weeks in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. In winter, you can water even less because the plant is dormant. Generally, water about once a month at this time. To be sure, use the fingertip method and feel the soil for dryness each time before you water.
Pro Tip: If you are cultivating aloe outside, water when the first inch of soil around the plant feels dry. Also take into account the weather and rainfall.
Aloe is Drought Tolerant
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One of the main reasons that Aloe doesn't need a lot of water is that it grows naturally in the Mediterranean where conditions are arid, dry, and bright! To adapt, aloe plants grow thick leaves that retain moisture. This handy foliage acts as built-in water storage which means it's great at tolerating droughts. Even still, aloe does need some water. After all, its leaves can't store up water for later if they don't get any in the first place.
Indoor and Outdoor Aloe
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Whether planting inside or outdoors, aloe prefers evening temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer in spring and summer. In winter, it tolerates temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Aloe plants like it warm, up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is only hardy outside in zones 10 to 12.
When planting aloe, always choose a bright location that gets six hours of sunlight. If you are placing, it indoors decide on a south or west facing window. Outside, a spot in full sun is best. Choose potting soil that is sandy and has perlite to improve drainage. You can also mix in 1 part sand and 1 part perlite to 2 parts ground soil if you intend to cultivate aloe outside.
The right lighting and soil will improve your watering routine too. Adequate sunlight, as well as a mixture of sand and perlite, will help the soil drain naturally and create similar conditions to its natural environment. Because of this you never want to leave you aloe sitting in water. If you have a tray underneath you plant, make sure to empty it after each watering. More on this below!
Water Thoroughly
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To keep your aloe plant happy, watering thoroughly is key. For an aloe plant in a container, water the plant until water drips out of the drainage holes at the bottom. You can leave the pot resting in this water for up to 15 minutes. After this, empty the water out to prevent the soil from becoming soggy. Then wait until the top third of the soil is dry again before you water next.
Outdoor plants also need thorough watering. In this case, place your finger an inch deep into the soil to check for dryness before watering. Then just like with potted plants, wait until that top section is dry to the touch before watering it again.
Pro Tip: In summer heatwaves your outdoor aloe plants could dry out fast and you may need to water them twice a week. In winter when the soil takes longer to dry, you might only water outdoor plants once a month. In every season, always feel the soil for dryness first before watering.
Avoid Overwatering
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Properly watering your aloe plants provides them with the essential moisture they need to survive. It is equally important to avoid overwatering these drought-tolerant plants. By establishing a good routine and checking the soil for dryness every time you can avoid the common mistake of overwatering aloe.
If you water your aloe plant too much its leaves can droop and its roots can rot. Aloe is particularly susceptible to basal stem root or Fusarium spp. This can turn the base stem of the aloe plant red or brown and can eventually kill the entire plant. To avoid this mistake, be patient between waterings and always check that the soil is dry.
Keep Your Aloe Happy
Happy, thriving plants are a source of pride for every gardener! By thoroughly watering indoor aloe plants when the top third of the soil is dry and outdoor aloe when the first inch of the soil is dry, you can help your plants to thrive too. This gives drought-tolerant aloe the perfect amount of water to grow vibrant foliage. At the same time, it prevents overwatering which can result in a fatal case of root rot.
How often do you water your aloe plant? Share your watering tips in the comments below to help fellow gardeners cultivate luscious aloe plants too!