Aloe Vera Care Guide
The kitchen windowsill classic. Useful gel in every leaf, and care needs so light they are mostly a warning not to overwater it.
Aloe Vera — Care Dashboard
Light
Bright light with some direct sun. A pale, stretched aloe is reaching for a better window.
Water
Deep and rare. Let the soil dry completely between waterings, and halve the frequency in winter.
Soil and potting
Cactus and succulent mix straight from the bag is right, or potting soil with half of it replaced by perlite or coarse grit. Sitting water is the one true enemy. A terracotta pot with a wide drainage hole suits it best, sized close to the rosette: aloes like a shallow, snug pot rather than a deep roomy one. Repot every two or three years, or when pups crowd the rim.
Humidity and temperature
A desert plant in every sense: dry air suits it perfectly, and steamy rooms do it no favours at all. Keep it between 18 and 29 degrees. It has no frost tolerance whatsoever, so a plant that summered outside must come in before the first cold nights of autumn, not after.
Feeding
Almost none, and that is not neglect talking. A cactus feed diluted to half strength once in spring covers the year for most plants. Overfeeding, especially with general houseplant feeds, builds salts in the soil and burns the leaf tips. If it is growing new leaves from the centre, it is fed enough.
Propagation
Aloes pay you in pups: small offsets that sprout around the base. When a pup stands a good handful tall with leaves of its own, ease it free with as many roots as you can keep, let the cut dry for a day, and pot it in gritty mix. Wait a week before its first watering so the roots settle without rotting.
Common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves soft, translucent, and mushy | Overwatering rotting the base | Stop watering, cut away every soft leaf, and repot what is firm into dry cactus mix | Root Rot |
| Leaves thin and curling inward | Badly thirsty | Water deeply once; the leaves refill and flatten out over the following week | Water |
| Brown scorched patches on the leaves | Moved into strong sun too suddenly | Give it shade for a week, then step it back into full light a few hours more each day | Light |
| Small brown bumps fixed on the leaves | Scale insects | Scrape them off gently and dab the spots with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol | Pests |
Quick questions
Is aloe vera safe for pets?
No, whatever its reputation for people. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs because of compounds in the leaf, so keep it out of chewing range.
How do I use a leaf for a burn?
Cut one of the thick outer leaves off at the base with a clean knife, slice it open lengthways, and use the clear gel inside fresh. Take the oldest outer leaves first and never strip more than a third of the plant at once.
Why is my aloe flopping open flat?
Usually light or water: leaves flatten and splay when the plant is reaching for light or has been watered too often. A brighter sill and a longer dry spell between drinks will firm it up.
Sources: ASPCA Toxic and Non Toxic Plants list; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder · Care facts last verified October 2026.