How to care for an Aloe Vera
Aloe vera (syn. Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera stores water in its thick, gel-filled leaves, so it wants bright light with some direct sun and a soak only once the soil has dried right through. Plant it in gritty cactus mix in a pot with drainage, and resist watering on a schedule. Despite its use on human skin, the plant is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
Care at a glance
- Light
- Bright light with some direct sunA south or west window is ideal. In too little light the leaves grow thin, pale, and floppy and flop outward instead of standing upright.
- Water
- Soak, then let it dry throughEvery 2–3 weeks in summer, roughly monthly in winter. Water deeply, empty the saucer, and wait until the soil is dry to the bottom.
- Soil
- Gritty cactus mix with sharp drainageCactus compost cut with extra grit or pumice; standing water at the roots quickly causes rot.
- Humidity
- Dry household air is ideal
- Temperature
- 13–27 °C (55–80 °F)Keep above about 10 °C (50 °F); it is not frost-hardy and dislikes cold, wet conditions.
- Difficulty
- EasyTough and forgiving as long as you keep it bright and on the dry side.
- Pets
- Toxic to petsToxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA — the leaf contains saponins and anthraquinones that can cause vomiting and lethargy.
Where it comes from
Propagation
Aloe vera multiplies by offsets, the small "pups" that sprout around the base of a mature plant. Slide the plant out of its pot, find a pup with a few roots of its own, and separate it cleanly with a knife. Let the cut surface dry for a day or two, then pot it into gritty mix and wait about a week before the first light watering.
Aloe does not root reliably from a leaf cutting the way some succulents do — a severed leaf usually just rots — so division of pups is the dependable method. A healthy plant produces pups generously, especially once it is a little pot-bound.
Common problems
- Leaves turning soft, brown, and mushy
Likely cause: Overwatering and poor drainage causing root and stem rot.
Fix: Cut away rotten tissue, let the plant dry out, and repot into fresh gritty mix; water only once it is bone dry.
- Thin, flat leaves flopping outward
Likely cause: Too little light — the plant can't hold its leaves upright and stretches.
Fix: Move it to a much brighter spot with some direct sun; new growth will be plumper and more upright.
- Leaves turning reddish-brown or bronze
Likely cause: Sun stress, sudden strong sun after low light, or sometimes drought.
Fix: Acclimatise it to bright sun gradually and check it isn't bone dry; mild colouring is harmless once it adjusts.
Frequently asked questions
Is aloe vera toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists aloe as toxic to cats and dogs — the leaf contains saponins and anthraquinones that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy. Keep the plant out of a curious pet's reach even though the gel is used on human skin.
Why are my aloe vera leaves bending over and going flat?
Floppy, flattening leaves are the sign of too little light. Aloe needs bright light with some direct sun to keep its leaves thick and upright; move it to a sunnier window and it will firm up on new growth.
How often should I water an aloe vera?
Only when the soil has dried all the way through — about every 2–3 weeks in summer and monthly in winter. The leaves hold plenty of water, so when unsure, wait; overwatering causes the brown, mushy rot that kills most aloes.
Why is my aloe growing little plants around the base?
Those are offsets, or pups, and they are a sign of a healthy, established plant. You can leave them to form a clump or separate them once they have a few roots to grow new plants.
Sources
- RHS — Aloe vera — Royal Horticultural Society, checked 2026-06-13
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Aloe — ASPCA, checked 2026-06-13