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Aloe plants are succulents that store water in their thick, fleshy leaves. This allows them to survive extended periods of drought in their native habitats. But when caring for aloe plants as houseplants, it’s important not to overwater them. Getting the watering schedule just right is key to keeping your aloe plant healthy and happy. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about watering your aloe plant.
How Often To Water An Aloe Plant
The most common aloe plant watering mistake is overwatering Aloe plants should be allowed to completely dry out between waterings A general rule of thumb is to water an aloe plant once every 1-2 weeks. However, you need to adjust this based on various factors
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Pot Size: Plants in smaller pots will dry out faster and need more frequent watering. Larger pots retain moisture longer.
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Season In winter, aloe plants are dormant and require less frequent watering, about every 3-4 weeks. In summer aloes are actively growing and need more water.
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Environment: Aloe plants in hot, dry environments will use water faster than those in cool, humid areas. Adjust accordingly.
The best way to know when your aloe needs water is to check the soil moisture. Stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water. If still moist, hold off a few more days.
How Much Water To Give An Aloe Plant
When watering your aloe plant, thoroughly soak the entire root zone until water drains freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This encourages deep root growth. Then allow any excess water to drain away.
The amount of water depends on the size of your aloe:
- Small aloe plant in 4″ pot: 1/4 cup water
- Medium aloe plant in 6-8″ pot: 1/2 cup water
- Large aloe plant in 10-12” pot: 1 cup water
Larger pots may need even more water to saturate the entire soil mass. Apply enough so that it runs freely from the drainage holes at the bottom.
Watering Methods
Top watering is the traditional way to water aloe plants. Apply water slowly and evenly over the soil surface, allowing it to soak in. Avoid splashing water on the leaves.
Bottom watering is also effective, especially for potted aloes. Place the pot in a bowl of water deep enough to submerge the bottom inch of soil. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes until the top layer of soil is wet. Remove and let drain.
Some growers recommend misting leaves occasionally to increase humidity. Use filtered or distilled water to prevent spots. Wipe leaves dry afterward to discourage rot.
Signs Of Underwatering
If your aloe plant is not getting enough water, you may notice these signs:
- Dry, shriveled leaves
- Slow or stunted growth
- Brown leaf tips
- Soft, wrinkled leaves
- Leaves falling over instead of remaining upright
Increase watering frequency and volume if you see these issues. Aloe plants can recover quickly if corrected in time.
Signs Of Overwatering
It’s easy to overwater aloe plants without realizing it. Watch for these clues that your plant is getting too much water:
- Mushy, translucent leaves
- Leaves turning yellow or brown
- Rotting roots
- Foul odor
- White fungus on soil or leaves
- Sudden leaf drop
If you catch overwatering early, you can reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Re-pot in fresh, dry soil if root rot has set in.
Tips For Proper Aloe Plant Watering
Here are some best practices to optimize aloe plant health through proper watering:
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Water deeply, then allow soil to fully dry before next watering.
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Check soil moisture with your finger to gauge when to water.
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Adjust watering frequency based on pot size, seasons, environment.
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Ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Water in morning so leaves dry quickly.
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Apply water directly to soil, not leaves.
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Misting leaves very sparingly if desired.
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If overwatered, back off watering to allow recovery.
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Repot immediately if roots are rotting from overwatering.
Providing Proper Drainage
Proper drainage is just as important as watering when it comes to aloe plant care. Aloe roots will rot if left sitting in soggy soil for too long. Ensure your aloe pots have drainage holes so excess water can escape.
You can improve drainage further by mixing in coarse sand, perlite, gravel or other aggregates when potting or repotting aloe plants. Aim for 25-50% aggregate content in the potting mix.
Avoid using pure peat or compost which retain too much moisture. cactus mixes blended for succulents are ideal.
After watering, empty any water that collects in the saucer so the pot is not left standing in water.
Adjusting Watering For Different Seasons
Aloe plants need the most water during the active growing period in spring and summer. When temperatures rise and daylight hours increase, the plant puts on growth and uses more water.
Aim to water about every 7-10 days during the warmer months, depending on heat and light levels. Soak the soil thoroughly until water drains freely from the bottom when you do water.
As autumn approaches, aloe plants begin going dormant. Growth slows down and the plant naturally uses less water. Back off on watering frequency to every 2-3 weeks.
In winter, aloes truly rest. Do not water again until the soil is completely bone dry. This may mean watering only every 4 weeks or longer when it’s cold.
Do not water on a fixed calendar schedule. Always check soil moisture and adjust the watering frequency according to the season and the plant’s needs.
Water Requirements In Different Climates
The climate where you grow aloe plants also impacts their water requirements:
Humid climates: Aloes will need less frequent watering, as moisture evaporates from the soil more slowly. Extended cool and cloudy periods are common.
Dry climates: Hot, arid environments will cause aloe soil to dry out faster. Plants will need more frequent watering to support growth.
Indoor: Potted aloes growing indoors have fairly consistent needs year-round. Monitor soil moisture and water when just the top few inches become dry.
Outdoor: Aloes grown outside must adapt to variable weather. Adjust watering carefully through seasons.
Sunny exposure: Aloes in full sun dry out quicker than shaded plants. Increase frequency.
Windy areas: Wind desiccates aloe foliage faster. Mist leaves occasionally as needed.
There is no universal watering formula that covers every situation. Get to know your plant, note its growth habits, and tweak your watering routine accordingly.
Choosing The Right Potting Mix
Use a fast-draining potting mix to avoid wet soil and potential root rot. A good basic mix contains:
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part perlite or coarse sand
- 1 part pea gravel or pumice
You can also use cactus & succulent potting mixes specifically blended for aloes and similar plants. Avoid straight compost or peat-based soils, as these retain too much moisture.
Re-pot every 2-3 years with fresh soil, or whenever the mix becomes depleted and compacted. This ensures excellent drainage for healthy roots.
Early Signs Of Underwatering
Catch underwatering early before lasting damage occurs. Be vigilant for these early clues:
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Soil drying out faster than normal between waterings
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Leaves feeling less firm or supple
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Basal leaves drooping slightly
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Growth slowing down
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Paler green leaves
If you notice any of these signs, water your aloe thoroughly right away. This should restore leaves to upright firmness. Resume a regular watering schedule sufficient for your plant’s needs.
With prompt rehydration, aloe plants can bounce back quickly from temporary underwatering. But prolonged drought will take a toll. Don’t let it go too long.
Correcting An Overwatered Aloe Plant
If you suspect you’ve been overwatering your aloe plant, take these steps:
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Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. This may take over 2 weeks.
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Remove the aloe from the pot and inspect roots for rot. Trim off any dead roots.
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Repot in fresh, dry soil with excellent drainage.
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Water sparingly going forward.
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If fungus is present, apply fungicide per label instructions.
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Remove any rotted or
How to Care for an Aloe Vera Plant
- Lighting: Place in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light. A western or southern window is ideal. Aloe that are kept in low light often grow leggy.
- Temperature: Aloe vera does best in temperatures between 55 and 80°F (13 and 27°C). The temperatures of most homes and apartments are ideal. From May to September, you can bring your plant outdoors without any problems, but do bring it back inside in the evening if nights are cold.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize sparingly (no more than once a month), and only in the spring and summer, with a balanced houseplant formula mixed at 1/2 strength.
- Repotting: Repot when root bound, following the instructions given in “Planting” above.
Watering is the most challenging part of keeping aloe vera healthy, but it’s certainly not rocket science! The aloe is a succulent plant accustomed to arid environments, but its thick leaves still need sufficient water.
- Water aloe vera plants deeply but infrequently. In other words, the soil should feel moist after watering but should be allowed to dry out to some extent before you water again. If the soil stays overly wet, the plant’s roots can rot.
- To ensure that you’re not overwatering your plant, allow the top third of potting soil to dry out between waterings. For example, if your plant is kept in 6 inches of potting soil, allow the top 2 inches to dry out before watering again. (Use your finger to test the dryness of the soil.)
- Generally speaking, plan to water your aloe plant about every 2-3 weeks in the spring and summer and even more sparingly during the fall and winter. One rule of thumb for fall and winter watering is to roughly double the time between waterings (compared to your summer watering schedule). In other words, if you water every two weeks in summer, water every four weeks in winter.
- When watering, some excess water may run out of the bottom of the pot. Let the pot sit in this water so the soil absorbs as much as possible. Wait 10-15 minutes, then dump any remaining water.
How to Plant (or Repot) an Aloe Vera Plant
If your aloe plant has grown leggy, has gotten too large, or simply needs an upgrade, it’s time to repot it. Here’s how:
- Prepare your pot. After giving the new pot a quick rinse (or a good scrub if it’s a pot you’ve used before) and letting it dry thoroughly, place a small piece of screen over the drainage hole; this will keep the soil from falling out the bottom and will allow water to drain properly. A doubled-up piece of paper towel or newspaper can also work in a pinch, though these will break down over time.
- Prepare your plant. Remove the aloe vera plant from its current pot and brush away any excess dirt from the roots, being careful not to damage the roots.
- If your plant has any pups, remove them now. (See this page’s “Care” section for instructions on removing and potting pups.)
- If your plant has a very long, spindly stem that won’t fit in the pot, it is possible to trim the stem off partially. Note that this is risky and could kill the plant. To trim the stem: Cut off part of the stem, leaving as much as possible on the plant. Next, place the bare plant in a warm area that gets indirect light. After several days, a callous will form over the wound. At this point, continue with the repotting instructions below.
- Plant your plant. Fill the pot about a third of the way with a well-draining potting mix, then place your plant in the soil. Continue filling in the soil around the plant, bearing in mind that you should leave at least 3/4 of an inch of space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. The bottom leaves of the aloe plant should rest just above the soil, too. Do not water after planting.
- Ignore your plant (temporarily). After you’ve placed your aloe in its new pot, don’t water it for at least a week. This will decrease the chance of inducing rot and give the plant time to put out new roots. Until the plant seems to be rooted and happy, please keep it in a warm place that receives bright but indirect light.
How Often to Water Aloe Vera Plant? The Ultimate Guide!
FAQ
How much should I water my aloe plant?
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Do you water an aloe vera plant from the top or bottom?