How often should I water my Aloe?

Water only when the top two inches of soil are completely dry.

Why are the leaves turning brown?

This is often a sign of too much direct sun or inconsistent watering.

Plant guide

Aloe Vera.

Aloe vera

Pronounced AL-oh VEER-uh

Also known as Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Barbados Aloes, Common Aloes, Curaçao aloe, Indian aloe, Jaffarabad aloe, Mediterranean aloe

Aloe vera is a popular succulent known for its soothing gel found inside its thick, fleshy leaves. It thrives in sunny spots and is quite forgiving if you forget to water it occasionally. This plant makes a wonderful addition to any bright windowsill.

Another photo of Aloe Vera — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 28 days
Mature size: 60 to 100 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to spring

Care

Plant your aloe in well draining soil and ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent root rot. Watch for mushy leaves or browning tips, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. Give it plenty of bright light to keep it happy and healthy.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Feed sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base as needed.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or produces too many offsets.
Soil: Sandy, well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
The plant becomes top heavy and tips over
Water drains through the pot immediately without soaking in

Safety

People: Ingesting the raw latex or skin can cause digestive distress, while the clear gel is generally considered safe for topical use.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The sharp, serrated leaf edges can scratch or cut a child's skin if handled carelessly.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience skin irritation or contact dermatitis from the sap.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The outer green skin contains aloin, which acts as a strong laxative and can cause severe abdominal cramping.

How to identify it

Thick, fleshy, lance shaped leaves
Spiny, serrated leaf margins
Rosette growth pattern
Spikes of tubular yellow flowers

Height: 0.6 to 1m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: gray-green, blue-green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, orange, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
EdemaRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your aloe vera from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months as the plant enters a period of dormancy.
In containers: Aloe vera grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is not too large for the root system.

Offset Division

Wait for the mother plant to produce small offsets or pups.
Gently remove the pup from the base of the mother plant.
Allow the cut end of the pup to callous for two days.
Plant the pup in a well draining succulent potting mix.
Water sparingly until new roots establish.

Group succulents together to simplify your watering schedule and maintain a consistent aesthetic.

Grows well with

Jade Plant · They share similar water and light requirements.
Snake Plant · Both plants tolerate low water and thrive in similar indoor conditions.

Similar species

Aloe arborescens · It is a larger, shrubby relative with similar care needs.

Science

Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Aloe
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Arabian Peninsula
Conservation: This species is widely cultivated and naturalized worldwide. Its true wild origin is uncertain, and it is not considered threatened.

It survives in arid environments by storing moisture in its leaves and closing its pores during the day to prevent water loss.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental, skincare, traditional medicine

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water my Aloe?: Water only when the top two inches of soil are completely dry.
Why are the leaves turning brown?: This is often a sign of too much direct sun or inconsistent watering.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Aloe comes from the Arabic word alloeh, meaning bitter, while the species name vera is Latin for true.

Good to know

Aloe vera is a succulent that stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves.
The plant is often called the burn plant because of its soothing properties.
It thrives in bright light and tolerates full sun once acclimated.
Aloe vera is not a cactus, despite its appearance.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.