Aloe Plants Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Propagation, Common Problems and Remedies
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Aloe Plants thrive in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Aloe Plants are among favorite succulent plants grown in the home space. There are numerous species of Aloes but only a few are popular for home growing. They come in all shapes and sizes.
Aloes form a stemless rosettes of fleshy (succulent) leaves which store water and allows these plants to survive well in drought conditions. These characteristics, place Aloes among drought-tolerant plants that you can grow in the home.
Their flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red and are borne densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched leafless stems.
Aloe reproduce by means of offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant once the plant has reached maturity.
Aloe brevifolia
Botanical name: Aloe
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Origin
The Aloe genus is native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Penisula and various islands in the Indian Ocean.
Varieties
There are over 560 species in the Aloe genus. Some of the popular Aloe Varieties are Aloe barbadensis (the Aloe vera or 'true aloe), Aloe aristata (Lace Aloe), Aloe variegata (Partridge-breasted Aloe), Aloe jucunda, Aloe humilis (Hedgehog Aloe) and Aloe mitriformis among others.
Related Plants
Aloes are closely related to the genera Haworthia and Gasteria. The species of these genera are known to hybridise relatively easily with each other.
Are Aloes poisonous?
Aloes are non-toxic to humans but toxic to pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested they can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy in pets.
Where to Buy
Aloe Plants are pleasant plants to add to your plant collection as they are easy to grow and maintain. You may get Aloes from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
How to Keep Aloe Plants Alive Indoors
To properly care for Aloe Plants indoors, provide bright light with 6-8 hours of sunlight, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Aloes need repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Aloe arborescens
Watering
Water Aloe Plants liberally in the growing season until the water drains out through the drainage hole. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing leaves.
Significantly, decrease watering in the cold period to maintain the soil barely moist since growth is slowed at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Use room temperature water as consistently watering with cold water will cause cold shock which can result in stunted growth and plant death. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent staining and browning of the leaves.
Avoid wetting the center of the rosette to minimize fungal diseases which can cause rotting and death of the plant. You may water from the bottom instead.
Make sure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot. Always discard the excess water from the saucer when done watering to prevent the plant from sitting in soggy soil.
Light Requirements
Aloe Plants grow best in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Avoid exposing the plants to too hot sunshine before acclimating them to prevent scorching; brown leaf marks.
Too little light for Aloes will result in pale, yellow, leggy, stretched-out growth. Therefore, if the natural lighting is not sufficient, instal full spectrum grow lights to increase it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Aloe Plant prosper in a warmth of 16-280C in the growing season with a minimum of 120C in the cold season. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent temperature flactuations as they can cause reduced growth, wilting, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Aloes have no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for these plants. Maintain proper air circulation to prevent fungal diseases infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed Aloe Plants with a succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season to boost growth. Do not feed in the cold period to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Aloe Plants should be rich in organic matter, loose and fast-draining to avoid sogginess. Most Cactus and succulents mixes are perfect for Aloes as they drain easily.
Repotting
Aloe Plants have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot the plant at the beginning of the growing season only when crowded in its current pot.
Repot into a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to rotting. Use a shallow pot and be careful not to bury the stems to prevent rotting. Take a look at these ceramic succulents pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Aloe Plants is easy. Cut the dead or diseased leaves with a sharp knife to keep the plant neat and to reduce pests and disease infestation.
Aloe Plants Propagation
Aloe Plants are best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant.
How to propagate Aloes from offsets
- Carefully seperate the offsets from the mother plant. Select an offset that has several leaves.
- Allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to prevent rotting.
- Pot each offset in its own pot in moist, fast-draining soil.
- Water sparingly; only when the soil is dry, and avoid waterlogging as it can lead to rotting.
- Allow the new plant to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
Aloe bakeri
Aloe Plants Problems & Solutions
Aloe Plants problems are yellowing leaves, leggy growth, wilting and curling leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Yellowing leaves
Yellowing leaves on Aloes is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or use a grow light if the natural light is deficient.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil dries out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Temperature stess: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, radiators, hot air vents, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Aloe Plants is caused by low light or excess fertilizer.
How to fix it
Low light: Place the plant in bright light with some direct sunlight or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Excess fertilizer: Take care not to overfertilize, feed monthly, only in the growing season. Ensure to follow the instructions on the label of the plant food.
Wilting & curling leaves
Wilting and curling leaves on Aloe Plants are due to underwatering or hot drafts.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil feels dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.
Hot drafts: Keep the plant from sources of hot drafts like hot air vents, stoves, radiators and other heat sources.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Aloe Plants are caused by underwatering or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Water the plant when the top half of soil dries but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Temperature stess: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, radiators, windy doors among others.
Pests
Aloe Plants are fairly resistant to pests but weak plants can be attacked by mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites especially in very dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Seperate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil as per the manufacturers' recommendations.
- Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Keep the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Aloes are prone to the following diseases:
1. Leaf spot disease which presents as brown, soft leaf spots. The disease is enhanced by over wet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturers instructions.
- Avoid wetting the rosette of leaves during watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
- Improve on ventilation and ensure free air circulation.
2. Crown and stem-rot disease which is characterized by a rotting base, yellowing and shrivelled leaves. It is brought about by overwet, poorly ventilated conditions.
The disease is difficult to treat as it spreads very fast. If caught early, treat the plant as follows to save it.
How to fix it
- Cut away and discard or burn the diseased tissue to minimze spread.
- Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Keep the soil on the drier side; ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.
- Avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water from the bottom instead.
- Maintain a free air flow and place the plant in warm conditions.
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