Have you had trouble growing aloe vera and really want it to work so you can harvest the leaves and make a skin lotion? After all, if it’s good enough for Cleopatra… These plants are useful for many reasons for body and skin problems.
They also make good houseplants in the right setting, so anyone can grow one. The trouble is that sometimes they don’t perform as well as they should, and the answer is in the soil.
The important part of the plant Aloe vera is the ‘aloe’. This will give us some clues as to how to treat them and what kind of soil they prefer. As a succulent plant hailing from the hot and dry regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, it is, in its natural habitat, grown in sandy soil with minimum water. So, the short answer is sandy soil.
If you ask succulent and aloe growers what soils they recommend, you will find that everyone has a different recipe for their soil mix. They can all agree that it should be well-draining and, when in doubt, use a commercially available substrate specially formulated for cacti and succulents.
Never use soil from the garden. Once you know what each part of a potting mix does, it will be easier to make your own.
Experiment with different ratios of materials to find the best one for your area. The climate, fluctuations in temperature, and humidity will all affect your soil, but you can start with the basic recipe as follows:
General potting soil mixes retain moisture for plants. This is a good thing for most plants but not for an aloe like aloe vera or any succulent. Provide quick-draining soil to avoid water-logging the roots. This will be detrimental to their health and may cause root rot and even death. There are various ways to include porous materials into the mix, some with other super benefits. Choose any of these for your mix.
What you might think are polystyrene balls in the soil mix you find at the nursery is, in fact, a volcanic rock that has been expanded using extremely high heat, becoming very lightweight and useful as a horticultural substrate. In its natural environment, perlite is an amorphous black or grey glass with a substantial list of beneficial plant nutrients, including potassium, iron, manganese, and calcium.
The perlite is mined and then processed to produce the light material in a process nicknamed ‘volcanic popcorn’ making. The water content in perlite will make it pop at very high temperatures of around 1650°F. Once popped, the perlite is up to 16 times bigger and significantly lighter.
The benefits of adding perlite to a soil mix are that it is stable (unlike polystyrene, which can be squashed), has a neutral pH level, is still able to retain some water in its porous structure but allows water to drain away, and helps aerate the soil so the roots can ‘breathe.’ It also helps improve drainage, which is essential for succulent and aloe soil mixes.
Very similar to perlite, pumice is a mined mineral created by crushing lava rocks, and it is full of beneficial trace elements. It is lightweight and has tiny craters on its surface that hold air, water, and nutrients in the soil while assisting with drainage and releasing water when necessary.
Pumice is naturally lightweight and has been caused by the reaction of lava with high water content, causing gases to expand and the lava to bubble and fizz. Once cooled, the rock contains the tiny air bubbles that give it porous properties.
Of particular interest is the fact that pumice contains up to 70 beneficial trace elements that can assist with keeping your aloe healthy.
Mined in Japan, Akadama is another volcanic rock substrate that has been used for growing bonsai for many years. It’s used for its properties, which include water retention and nutrients, as well as being a porous material that assists in drainage and aeration.
What is special about Akadama is the color change it has when wet. The darker color indicates high water content; as it gets lighter, the plants require water. It’s like its own water sensor. In recent years, it has become popularized for use in growing succulents and cacti.
Sand must be included to mimic the soil of the hot and dry regions from which aloe vera originates.
Aloe vera is one of the most popular and easy to grow succulent plants. With its numerous health and beauty benefits it’s no wonder aloe is a staple in many homes and gardens. However while caring for an aloe vera plant is relatively simple, choosing the right potting soil is crucial for ensuring your plant thrives. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selecting the ideal soil for your aloe vera.
As a succulent aloe vera prefers a loose well-draining soil that won’t retain too much moisture. Wet, dense soil will cause root rot and other harmful fungal diseases. The soil should drain freely while still providing some water retention. Aloe also thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.
When choosing soil, you want to aim for a blend that offers:
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Optimal drainage: Aloe vera roots don’t like sitting in wet soil, so excellent drainage is key.
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Good aeration Soil that allows airflow to the roots prevents suffocation,
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Moderate moisture retention: The soil shouldn’t get overly dry or stay soggy wet.
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Neutral pH: Aim for a pH around 6.5, slightly acidic to neutral.
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Nutrient-rich: Aloe benefits from soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
With these requirements in mind, let’s look at some of the best soil options for your aloe plant.
Recommended Soil Types for Aloe Vera
Cactus and Succulent Soil
Soil mixes specially formulated for cacti and succulents are a great choice for aloe vera. They typically contain a blend of sand, perlite, peat moss or coir that provides excellent drainage and air pockets while still retaining some moisture and nutrients. The coarse texture and lightness of these mixes prevents compaction and suffocation of aloe roots.
Potting Soil with Added Drainage Amendments
Regular potting soils are often too dense for aloe vera’s liking. However, you can amend basic potting mix with perlite, pumice, gravel or sand to create the ideal well-draining blend. Aim for 30-50% amendments to improve drainage and aeration.
Loamy or Sandy Soil
Loamy or sandy soils contain a balance of particle sizes that offer great drainage and moisture retention for aloe vera. The presence of sand provides larger particles that leave air pockets for better airflow to the roots. Loam also retains some water and nutrients.
Coconut Coir
Coir makes an excellent addition or alternative to peat moss in soil mixes. It has a fine, loose texture that doesn’t compact over time. Coir improves moisture retention while still providing great drainage and aeration. It’s also more sustainable than peat.
Soil Ingredients to Include and Avoid
When creating your own custom aloe vera soil blend, here are some ingredients to include and leave out:
Helpful additives
- Coarse sand or perlite for drainage
- Coir or peat moss to retain moisture
- Compost, worm castings, or organic fertilizer for nutrients
- Pumice, gravel, or lava rocks to prevent compaction
- Bark, biochar, or rice hulls for aeration
Ingredients to avoid
- Heavy clay soils that retain too much water
- Straight garden soil or compost which may be too dense
- Fine silt or dust that can compress and suffocate roots
- Excessive moss or dense peat that holds moisture
- Any synthetic fertilizers or chemicals
The ideal aloe soil contains a balanced blend of coarse particles like perlite and sand with moisture-retentive ingredients like coir or peat. Small amounts of organic matter provide nutrients without compromising drainage.
How to Repot an Aloe Vera into New Soil
When switching your aloe plant into a fresh batch of soil, follow these simple repotting steps:
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Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, with drainage holes on the bottom. Terra cotta pots work nicely.
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Fill the new pot about 1/3 full with your well-draining soil mix. Lightly pack down.
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Remove the aloe plant from its old pot and loosen any circling roots.
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Place the aloe in the new container, positioning it at the same level as before.
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Fill in around the sides with more soil, leaving about 1/2 inch below the rim.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Allow to fully dry before watering again.
Be sure to sterilize any tools and wash your hands before handling your aloe plant to prevent disease transmission. Repotting into fresh soil every 2-3 years will keep your aloe vera happy and healthy!
Troubleshooting Common Aloe Soil Problems
If your aloe plant starts showing signs of trouble, the problem may lie in the soil. Here are some common issues and solutions:
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Mushy or discolored leaves could indicate overwatering or overly dense, moisture-retentive soil. Try amending with sand or perlite.
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Wilting or drooping leaves may mean the soil is too dry. Check drainage and add more peat moss or compost.
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Brown leaf tips can happen if the soil is too alkaline. Test soil pH and amend with sulfur or peat moss to lower.
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Slow growth might mean the soil lacks nutrients. Mix in worm castings or organic fertilizer.
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Foul odors or mushrooms signal overwet soil with poor drainage. Repot in a drier cactus/succulent mix.
Pay close attention to how your aloe reacts to its current soil and make adjustments as needed. Proper soil goes a long way in preventing disease and other issues.
Tips for Keeping Your Aloe Vera Soil Healthy
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Allow soil to fully dry out between waterings and always drain excess water from the saucer.
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Add a thin layer of gravel, sand, or charcoal on top of the soil to prevent evaporation.
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Loosen and aerate compacted soil every few months with a fork.
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Top dress annually with worm castings or compost to replenish nutrients.
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Repot every 2-3 years in fresh soil to prevent salt buildup.
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Check soil pH yearly and amend if needed – aloes prefer a 6.0-7.0 range.
Choosing the right potting mix is crucial for growing a thriving aloe vera plant. Well-draining yet moisture retentive soil with good aeration and neutral pH gives aloe the perfect conditions to flourish. Follow these tips to create an ideal aloe vera soil environment. With the proper soil, you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, beautiful succulent plant.
Sand, Gravel, and Grit
Making up the bulk of a good aloe mix is sand of different sizes, which helps trap air in pockets and allow the roots to get much-needed aeration. Large gravel particles are good for a layer at the bottom of the pot to help prevent soil from escaping through the drainage holes, and smaller sand particles throughout the mix will help with drainage along with the characteristics of the porous material discussed above.
Best Soil for Aloe vera
FAQ
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