Aloe vera is a total classic for indoor gardeners. This succulent is super easygoing and doesn’t ask for much, making it perfect for beginners. However, they tend to grow pretty fast, which means you’ll eventually need to move yours into a bigger home. Before you grab your gardening gloves, you might be wondering: what kind of soil does an Aloe vera actually need?
Finding the Perfect Soil
To understand what makes an Aloe happy, we have to look at where it comes from. Originally from tropical and subtropical regions, these plants are used to dry, nutrient-poor soil, very little rain, and tons of heat and sun. To help your succulent thrive in your living room, you want to mimic those “home sweet home” conditions as much as possible. Along with a bright, sunny spot, the right soil is the secret to success.
You’ve got two main options: pick up a pre-mixed bag of cactus or succulent soil at the store, or channel your inner scientist and mix your own. Either way, the soil needs to be:
- Low in nutrients
- Excellent at draining water
- Slightly alkaline (limy)
- Dry and sandy
If you’re DIY-ing it, start with standard potting soil and mix in plenty of sand and peat. Adding a bit of perlite is also a great move to keep things airy. The most important thing is drainage—Aloe vera absolutely hates “wet feet.” If the roots sit in water for too long, they’ll rot. If you notice the leaves getting mushy, it’s often too late to save the plant because the roots have already given up. To prevent this, always add a drainage layer at the bottom of your pot. A handful of expanded clay pebbles or broken terra cotta shards, covered with a bit of landscape fleece, works wonders before you add the soil and the plant.
A Little TLC Goes a Long Way
Even though Aloe vera is low-maintenance, there are a few golden rules to follow. Watering is where most people trip up. During the summer growing season, give your Aloe a light watering about twice a week. Always pour the water directly onto the soil—keep it off the leaves! If water gets trapped in the leaf “armpits,” it can cause rot. During the winter months, you can pretty much put the watering can away; your Aloe won’t need any water at all.
When it comes to feeding, less is more. Aloe vera doesn’t need much fertilizer. In fact, if you’re repotting it into fresh soil every year or two, you can skip the fertilizer entirely!
