Large Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is valued for its astounding skin-soothing properties. To soothe minor burns, bee stings and sunburn cut a piece off and apply the cooling ‘gel’ to the skin. A very easy and striking houseplant that no home should be without.

The Aloe Vera is a succulent, used to hot dry sunny conditions. In the home, it is surprisingly easy to care for and will be happiest next to a bright windowsill. It will tolerate a cool room but will not be happy in a dark room or conditions under 8˚C.

As a desert plant your Aloe Vera will not need much water. They like to completely dry out between watering, so wait until the soil is bone dry throughout and the plant and pot feels very light then water heavily, allowing all of the excess water to drain away completely before putting it back in its normal sunny position.

Aloe Vera are quite slow growers and their size can easily be contained by a small pot. To encourage growth, repot your plant once a year. You may also find that over time your plant produces ‘suckers’ or young plants at the base of the mother plant. If desired these can also be gently removed and re-potted in ordinary potting compost mixed with perlite or sand for better drainage to produce a whole new generation of plants.

Problem Solving:

Aloe Vera is pretty resistant to neglect. However, if your plant does start looking sorry for itself, pull off any dead or soft leaves and move to a sunnier position. Brown leaves or tips of the leaves can be a sign of under watering so try watering more regularly. On the flip side, mould at the bottom of the leaves is a sign of over watering or too damp a position, so try a sunnier, airier room and let it dry out completely before watering.