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Tips for Growing Aloe Vera Indoors and Out (plus Using Aloe Vera)

There are so many things to love about aloe vera; it’s both pretty and useful. Fortunately, growing aloe is pretty easy and can be done in any climate. Let’s chat about how to grow aloe vera indoors and out.

three aloe vera plants in ceramic container.

Aloe Vera Benefits

The common aloe vera plant packs huge benefits. I truly believe that no home should be without one. In fact I often give it as a house warming gift. Here are just a few of those benefits.

  • Soothes and heals burns
  • Helps reduce acne
  • Can help relieve constipation
  • Contributes to a healthy gut
  • Improves oral health
  • Improves indoor air quality

You’d think with all these benefits that growing aloe vera would be hard. But, it’s not.

Where to Buy an Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe vera can be started by seed but it’s easier to just get a plant. Mature aloe vera plants will send up a flower stalk and set seeds. The mature seeds will be dark brown. If the seeds are light colored, they won’t germinate.

The easiest way to start growing aloe vera is planting divisions or transplants. If you know someone who has aloe vera, save your money and ask for a “pup” which are the small plants that form at the roots.

If you don’t know anyone who grows them, here are some places to buy an aloe vera plant.

  • Grocery stores
  • Local nursery
  • Farmer’s market
  • Etsy
  • Online nurseries

There’s no need to spend money on a large aloe vera plant. They grow very fast and are quite prolific.

lots of small aloe vera plants, "pups", on porch to be transplanted.

Planting Aloe Vera

If it’s being planted outside, plant the aloe vera during the spring or fall. This will give it time to acclimate to the climate before the harsh conditions of summer or winter.

If you live where it freezes, the aloe vera will need frost protection.

I live in a zone 9 and don’t always cover my aloe vera. I’ve found that as long as we’re just having a light frost the aloe will recover. But I also have many plants so if I lose a couple it’s not a big deal.

If you live in a cold hardiness zone 8 or colder, consider planting your aloe vera in pots so they can be moved to shelter during the winter.

If you’re not sure what cold hardiness zones are and what they mean for your garden, we have a short ecourse on understanding your climate that will help you understand gardening zones and other climate metrics.

If it’s being planted inside it doesn’t matter when it’s planted. But it does need a sunny window or bright room to grow in.

Aloe vera needs to be planted in well draining soil as it can become waterlogged very easily. This is true for indoor growing and outdoor growing. If you’re planting it in a pot consider using potting soil mixed specifically for succulents.

Their roots are pretty shallow so when it’s time to transplant chose a wider pot not a deeper pot.

Over time “baby” plants will form at the base of the Aloe Vera. These can be removed and planted in another container to start a new plant.

cut aloe vera leaves for medicinal uses

Aloe Vera Pests and Problems

Too much water is THE enemy of aloe vera. When aloe vera get too much water they are susceptible to root rot, soft rot, fungal stem, and leaf rot.

This is especially true if you’re growing aloe vera indoors or in a pot. Aloe vera really just likes to be ignored. Let the soil completely dry out before watering.

If you’re growing aloe vera indoors or in pots on a patio, the stem might get tall and leggy. This just means the plants are reaching for sun and don’t have enough. Move the pot to a sunny window or off the porch at times and that will fix it.

Aloe Vera can sunburn if it’s moved to full sun from indoors or from a shady area. I’ve never had aloe vera that was planted in the ground get sunburned but I have had aloe vera that is planted in pots get sunburned. When that happens, I just give it some water and move the pot to a shady area. It will recover in a few days to a week.

There are very few pests that will bother aloe vera when it’s planted outside. Our chickens do snack on it some but not enough to do damage so we just let them. Aloe is actually very good for chickens

Aloe vera planted inside can be attacked by household scale or mealy bugs. You can swab the leaves with rubbing alcohol and hopefully that will take care of the problem. If not, try organic solutions such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Harvesting Aloe Vera

You can harvest aloe vera as needed. Just take a knife or a pair of scissors and cut a small portion of a leaf off. You don’t need a full leaf for most uses. To open the leaf, cut it lengthwise to expose the gel.

A close up of a  bowl with Aloe vera

Culinary and Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is most commonly used on burns but it’s also good for insect bites, sunburns, poison ivy and other rashes and skin abrasions. I like to make aloe vera poultices with gauze and keep them in the freezer; similar to how to make comfrey poultice.

The flowers are edible. Pick and eat before they fully open. We’ve never eaten the flowers but it’s nice to know we can if we ever need to.

The leaves are also edible and actually have two parts; the latex and the gel. When you skin an aloe vera leaf you’ll see some yellow juice right under the skin. This is called the latex and some people are allergic to it.

The latex can be used to help with constipation but it shouldn’t be used regularly as it can become habit forming.

The aloe vera gel is the clear mucilage part inside the leaf. The gel is also edible and has many nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, E and several B vitamins, minerals such as calcium, sodium, iron and magnesium, and fatty acids.

The aloe vera gel is used to help with digestion, support the immune system, lower blood sugar and help with chronic inflammation.

You can also use it to make aloe vera oil to use for skin and hair care.

However, just like any other medicinal herb there are people who should not be taking aloe vera internally. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, have diabetes or kidney problems, or are under 12 years old you should not use aloe vera internally.

aloe plant growing in container

Other Easy to Grow Herbs

Aloe vera plants aren’t the only easy to grow plants that are good for both food and medicine. Other herbs I like to grow are basil, cilantro, hibiscus, and passion flower.

Thanks for sharing with your friends!

Kelly

Thursday 17th of March 2022

I love using aloe vera. Thank you for all the information! So many new ideas to use my aloe vera.

Linda

Friday 25th of February 2022

How does one take internally for chronic inflammation, I. E. arthritis? What amount?

Angi Schneider

Friday 4th of March 2022

Hi Linda, you'll need to consult with a trained herbalist to determine what amount you'd need to take and if aloe vera is the best option for you.

Danicka

Saturday 2nd of December 2017

Hello!

I have three medium-large aloe plants with really long stems. Can I cut the stems down and re-plant the stems so they can grow into their own plants?

Angi Schneider

Saturday 2nd of December 2017

Hi Danicka, aloe vera won't grow from a leaf cutting. However, it will produce small plants (pups) from the base and you can replant those to grow more plants.

Darlene

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

Yes I love to use aloe on my feet after a pedicure. Also after giving my 85 year mother's hands a manicure she lived the soothing feel of alovera jell.

Angi Schneider

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

Oh, that sounds lovely. I'll have to try it.

Lemongrass

Friday 17th of March 2017

It is good to wash and condition your hair. Here in the Caribbean is grows all over the place. Although during the dry season it takes a beating. I have two in the ground and two is pots on the deck. I sometime add a 2 inch piece to my fruit smoothies. Great information about aloe vera

Angi Schneider

Friday 17th of March 2017

Thanks for the tip for using it for hair care.