In our fun facts and decor ideas blog, you learned about the HortyGirl Aloe Vera indoor plant and explored some fun creative living decor ideas for your plant.
Now it’s time to learn how to care for your plant. Aloe Vera plants are a popular easy-care indoor plant, commonly known for its leaves that contain gel that some use to treat mild sunburns and its tropical feel, making it the perfect decorative and helpful addition for your home or office.
To keep your HortyGirl Aloe Vera plant healthy and thriving all year long, let’s dive deeper and find out how to care for your plant. We asked our HortyGirl potted plant expert to share some top care tips for the Aloe Vera indoor plant. Keep reading to learn more.
Aloe Vera Plant Watering Care Tips
The Aloe Vera plant is a very hardy and resilient plant requiring water only when the soil dries out completely. To determine the soil moisture level and manage your watering routine, use our wood or bamboo skewer watering method.
Typically, in the warmer months, watering your Aloe Vera indoor plant about once a week is sufficient. During the winter, watering about once every two weeks is ideal. Regardless of the season, remember to check the soil moisture level before watering.
If the soil remains dry for a long period of time, you’ll notice the leaves will shrivel and pucker slightly. Once you water the plant again, it will recover. Extended periods of stress, such as a long drought or over watering, can cause the leaves to turn yellow and die. If you see any old or damaged leaves on your plant, it’s a good idea to trim them to keep your plant looking fresh and clean.
Aloe Vera Plant Lighting Care Tips
The Aloe Vera plant can be grown indoors or outdoors. If grown indoors, place your Aloe Vera plant in bright indirect sunlight such as a south or west facing window sill with a sheer curtain. If grown outdoors, plant your Aloe Vera next to other succulents with similar needs and ensure your Aloe Vera plant has six hours of sunlight with a shade break in the afternoon.
Keep in mind direct sunlight can burn the plant, and lack of light can cause the plant leaves to turn pale, weaken and crease. In the summer months, if the plant is getting too much light, the leaves will start to have brown or reddish patches.
Aloe Vera Plant Temperature Care Tips
Aloe Vera plants naturally grow in dry, tropical and semi-tropical environments. If your indoor space has similar temperatures to those natural conditions, the plant will thrive. Best to aim for a home or office room temperature between 55 and 85 Farhenheit or 13 and 29 degrees Celsius.
Aloe Vera Plant Fertilizer Care Tips
Since Aloe Vera plants commonly grow in nutritionally poor desert soil and have adapted to that soil, it does not require fertilizer.
That being said, using a fertilizer is possible and can help maintain the vibrant growth of your Aloe Vera plant. If you decide to use fertilizer as part of your plant care routine, fertilize your Aloe Vera indoor plant once a year each spring with a phosphorus-heavy and water-based houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength.
Finishing Up
Aloe Vera indoor plants require minimal care, can treat mild sunburns, and add warm tropical beauty and character to the home or office decor, making them the perfect gift for yourself, friend or family member.
By following the above care tips, your HortyGirl Aloe Vera plant will be healthy, happy and thrive all year long. If you would like more care tips or have any questions about your Aloe Vera indoor plant, please contact us.