Planting aloe vera indoors comes with immense benefits. Besides its air purification abilities, this versatile succulent is good for your skin and hair and will brighten up your space, making it a great addition to your home or office. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, Nick’s is all about helping you create a thriving garden. Here is how to care for your indoor aloe vera plant to ensure it thrives all year round.
Watering
Water your aloe vera plant infrequently. Too much or too little water and you will start noticing problems. For best results, allow the soil to almost dry out before watering. For indoor plants, a good rule of thumb is to water your plants once every month. Water heavily, ensuring the water drains out since the roots can start rotting if the soil remains moist.
Soil Type
Planting aloe indoors requires well-draining soil. Look for sandy soil or a succulent/cactus mix as it drains well and allows proper airflow. Avoid all-purpose soil as it retains too much water and can cause root rot.
Amount of Light
Aloe vera thrives where there is lots of bright light. However, aloe leaves are easily affected by direct sunlight often turning reddish or brownish due to sunburn. For best results, place indoor plants on a window with bright, indirect sunlight where they will get a minimum of six hours of sunlight. Consider using artificial light if your aloe plant cannot get enough natural light. You may need to increase the amount of time you expose your plant to artificial light.
Temperature
Aloe plants need warm temperatures to thrive. They will do well if the indoor temperatures are between 55 and 85 degrees. In freezing conditions, your plant will most likely suffer cold damage and die. If you move the plant outdoors, always check the forecast and ensure you relocate the plant indoors as soon as temperatures start dropping.
Should I Trim Dead Brown Parts?
Although aloe is one hardy plant, it can turn brown due to overwatering, underwatering, exposure to direct sunlight, or pests and diseases. To fix the issue, remove the dead, brown parts and try to change your plant care routine. If the plant was exposed to direct sunlight, relocate to a less sunny location. Check the soil moisture level to see if you are overwatering or underwatering. In addition, carefully examine the plant for signs of pests or diseases and address the issue.
Disease Control & Prevention
Aloe plants are susceptible to diseases such as root rot, basal stem rot, and aloe rust. Disease control and prevention usually start with proper plant care. In most cases, these diseases are the result of overwatering (sometimes due to poor drainage), so use well-draining soil, water sparingly, and ensure the container drains properly. Remove dead or diseased parts and ensure good air circulation to keep leaves dry.
Overall How to Tell If The Plant is Happy or Sad
A happy aloe plant is vibrant and green. The plant should be growing upwards with firm and plump leaves. A sad, unhealthy plant will often feature wilting leaves indicating that it needs more water. Browning parts, mushy leaves, a sticky residue on the leaves, or rotting roots are all signs of stress. Ensure that you are not overwatering the plant or underexposing it to light, and be sure to check for pest damage.
Shop Nicks for All Your Indoor Garden Plants
Adding aloe vera to your plant collection has never been easier. With a few important care tips, you will be well on your way to owning a healthy and happy aloe vera plant. To get started, visit Nick’s to select your best indoor plants, or contact our team with any questions or concerns about caring for indoor plants.
