Growing your own Aloe Vera

This spiky green plant is a snap to grow indoors, and has countless healing properties and uses around the house.

Aloe vera may be the most commonly used herbal remedy in the world, and it’s simple to grow yourself. It is used to treat a (sun-)burn, soothe your skin, or even mixed into a detox drink.

A beneficial plant

It’s good for burns and many skin conditions; it works as hair conditioner, styling gel, or for a doing your own non-toxic blow-out. Many people swear by it as liquid tonic when your diet needs a refresh.

As for the origins of this versatile plant, aloe vera probably originated in Africa, but it is so useful (the earliest written record of its use dates from more than two centuries B.C.) and adaptable that it can now be found growing wild in just about every tropical region around the world.

Growing aloe vera indoors

If you don’t live in the tropics, an aloë vera plant is easy to grow indoors as a house plant, so you can always have it on hand. It’s common and easy to find at your local garden store, and they tend to make babies, so if you know anyone with a plant they can probably give you a start or two.

Aloe vera is an incredibly tolerant houseplant. It will put up with low light (though it prefers strong sunlight) and thrives on infrequent watering (overwatering is far more likely to kill it). And if a plant gets too dry, too cold, or gets too little light, it may look a bit reddish and the leaves may get somewhat flattened, but it will usually hang in there, waiting for better times. Here are some tips for giving your plant the best care possible to keep it green, plump, and growing rapidly:

Some tips to keep it green, plump, and growing rapidly:

Soil: Aloe vera needs well-drained, sandy potting soil. Mix half sand and half potting soil or buy an organic cacti and succulent mix.

Containers: Unglazed clay (terra cotta) pots or fabric pots are ideal, as they allow the soil to dry faster than plastic pots do. Be sure other types of container have multiple drainage holes in their bottom. Select a container that is large and sturdy enough for the roots (and to support the weight of the leaves without tipping over).

Light: Bright, sunny conditions are ideal, though aloe vera will put up with just a little sunlight. In very low light conditions, plants may go dormant and will stop growing until light levels increase.

Water: Aloe vera is a dryland plant. Water heavily, then allow the potting mix to dry completely before watering again. This means only watering about every two weeks or even less frequently. Especially in the winter or in low light locations when the plant is nearly dormant. Don’t water a little every day or so, or try to keep the soil moist, because you will rot out its roots. Limp or brown leaves are often a symptom of overwaterering.

You can move potted aloe veras outdoors during the summer. To prevent overexposure to the sun, put them in a shady location at first. Then move them a little every few days until they are in full sun all day long.