Complete Aloe Vera Care Guide
Everything you need to know to grow healthy, thriving aloe vera plants at home
Beginner-Friendly • Expert Tips Included
🌱 Quick Care Summary
☀️
Light
Bright, indirect sunlight
💧
Water
Every 2-3 weeks
🌡️
Temperature
65-75°F (18-24°C)
🏺
Soil
Well-draining cactus mix
☀️ Light Requirements
Perfect Lighting Conditions
Bright, Indirect Light
6+ hours daily, but not direct harsh sunlight
South or West Windows
Ideal placement with filtered light
Avoid Direct Sun
Can cause sunburn and brown spots
💧 Watering Your Aloe Vera
Watering Schedule
🌱 Spring/Summer
Every 2-3 weeks when soil is completely dry
🍂 Fall/Winter
Every 4-6 weeks, reduce frequency significantly
How to Water
- Check soil moisture with finger test
- Water thoroughly until it drains from bottom
- Empty drainage tray after 30 minutes
- Wait until soil is completely dry before next watering
⚠️ Overwatering Signs
- • Soft, mushy leaves
- • Brown or black spots
- • Foul smell from soil
- • Leaves turning yellow
💡 Pro Tips
- • Use room temperature water
- • Water in the morning
- • Ensure proper drainage
- • Less is more with aloe vera
🏺 Soil & Potting
Perfect Soil Mix
50% Cactus/succulent potting mix
25% Perlite for drainage
25% Coarse sand
pH Level: 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Choosing the Right Pot
- Drainage holes are essential
- Terra cotta or ceramic preferred
- Wide and shallow rather than deep
- 1-2 inches larger than root ball
🌱 Propagating Aloe Vera
1
Identify Pups
Look for small offshoots growing from the base of the mother plant
2
Separate Carefully
Gently remove pups with roots attached using clean, sharp knife
3
Let Callus & Plant
Allow cut to dry for 1-2 days, then plant in well-draining soil
Success Tips for Propagation
- • Wait until pups are 1/4 size of mother plant
- • Use sterile tools to prevent infection
- • Don't water newly planted pups for 1 week
- • Place in bright, indirect light
- • Keep soil slightly moist (not wet)
- • Expect new growth in 2-4 weeks
🚨 Troubleshooting Common Problems
🟡
Why Is My Aloe Plant Turning Yellow?
Common Causes:
- • Overwatering (most common)
- • Poor drainage
- • Too much direct sunlight
- • Natural aging of lower leaves
Solutions:
- • Reduce watering frequency
- • Improve soil drainage
- • Move to indirect light
- • Remove yellowed leaves
🟤
Brown Tips on Leaves
Causes:
- • Underwatering
- • Low humidity
- • Fluoride in tap water
- • Heat stress
Fixes:
- • Water more consistently
- • Use filtered or distilled water
- • Increase humidity around plant
- • Move away from heat sources
🔴
Soft, Mushy Leaves
⚠️ This indicates root rot - act quickly!
Emergency Steps:
- Stop watering immediately
- Remove plant from pot
- Trim away rotted roots
- Let dry for 24-48 hours
Recovery:
- Repot in fresh, dry soil
- Wait 1 week before watering
- Water sparingly going forward
- Monitor for new growth
🗓️ Seasonal Care Calendar
🌸
Spring
- • Resume regular watering
- • Begin fertilizing monthly
- • Repot if needed
- • Propagate pups
☀️
Summer
- • Water every 2-3 weeks
- • Provide bright, indirect light
- • Watch for sunburn
- • Continue fertilizing
🍂
Fall
- • Reduce watering frequency
- • Stop fertilizing
- • Move indoors if needed
- • Prepare for dormancy
❄️
Winter
- • Water every 4-6 weeks
- • Ensure adequate light
- • Avoid cold drafts
- • No fertilizing needed