Caring for and Maintaining Your Aloe

Aloe are native to the Arabian Peninsula, especially northeast Oman, but have been naturalized to live in other hot and arid regions such as the southwestern United States. Aloe are actually considered to be succulents and love dry climates like we have in Colorado. Aloe are unique-looking plants with their many “spiked arms.”

Sunlight: Aloe adores bright direct sunlight, so they will do very well near a south or west-facing window. However, keep your Aloe out of direct sunlight though because it will burn easily.

Water: Water the top 2-3” around the base of your Aloe, being sure not to get water directly on the plant itself. Let it dry out completely between waterings. Aloe will go dormant during the winter, and will need even less water during the colder months of the year.

Humidity: Aloe is one of the few houseplants that don’t care much for humidity. Thus caring for your Aloe will not involve trying to make its immediate environment moist—that’s one less thing you’ll need to worry about as you look after your Aloe.

Temperature: Aloe does best in temperatures ranging from 55-85 degrees F (13-29 degrees C) and will tolerate temperatures down to 40 degrees F (4 degrees C), but will not tolerate freezing temperatures.

Soil: Aloe does very well in a cactus potting soil mix or in a regular potting soil such as Fertilome or Fox Farm as long as these latter soils are amended with perlite and a little sand. The prefer well-drained soils and will suffer if they have to sit in soggy soil.