How to Grow and Harvest Aloe Vera Plants

Aloe vera is a hardy plant that needs the proper conditions to thrive:

• Well-draining potting mix. Aloe vera plants prefer drier conditions, so you’ll need to plant it in a well-draining potting mix. Unabsorbed water can cause root rot and wilting. Use a succulent- or cactus-recommended potting mix, which should feature a combination of draining elements like perlite, sand, and lava rock.
• Bright, indirect light. Aloe vera plants don’t like dark spots or direct sunlight. Place aloe vera in an area with a lot of filtered or indirect sunlight, like a shelf in the kitchen or a few feet away from a window. You can also place aloe vera near the glow of a grow light if you don’t have enough natural light in your home.
• Infrequent watering. The most common cause of death for indoor aloe vera plants is overwatering—their roots require dry conditions to grow. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant deeply every two weeks.
• Warm temperatures. Aloe vera plants are sensitive to extreme cold and extreme heat. These plants thrive in warm temperatures similar to the temperatures in most homes—between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In warmer climates, aloe vera plants can survive year-round outside in partial shade. If you live in a cold climate with especially mild summers, you can keep your aloe vera plants on your porch, but bring them indoors before cooler temperatures hit in the winter months.

Caring for an aloe vera plant is simple:

• Use a succulent potting mix. If your aloe vera plant is new or was given to you planted in regular soil, you’ll want to repot it in a succulent potting mix. To repot your aloe vera, choose a pot (with a drainage hole at the bottom for excess water) to accommodate its root system. Gently remove the plant from its previous pot, carefully dust off any old soil from its roots, and bury the roots in the potting mix in your new pot. You’ll need to wait a week to water your repotted aloe vera to give its roots time to establish.
• Water every two weeks. The most common cause of death for indoor aloe vera plants is too much water. To water your aloe vera plant, give it a deep watering (enough to get down to the roots) every two weeks. The roots should be almost completely dry before it’s time to water again. Use your finger to check for moisture—if the soil is still wet, wait another few days.
• Replant the “pups.” Aloe vera self-propagates by forming “pups,” or little offsets near the plant’s base that will grow into separate aloe vera plants. To avoid crowding, use a sharp knife or garden shears to separate these small plants from the parent plant. Plant the young aloe in their own potting mix to grow more aloe plants.
• Repot every so often. Every two or three years, your aloe vera plant will start to outgrow its pot. When it becomes “root bound,” it may stop growing or turn a shade of yellow. Simply choose a larger pot and repot the aloe vera to give it more room to grow.

Your aloe vera is a multipurpose houseplant that creates a soothing gel for minor burns or cold sores. Here’s how to harvest aloe vera gel:

1. 1. Cut a mature leaf from the plant. Choose a thick, mature leaf from your plant and use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut it at the plant’s base.
2. 2. Slice the leaf in half lengthwise. Cut along the aloe leaf’s length to reveal the thick green or clear gel inside.
3. 3. Squeeze the gel out. Squeeze the leaf over a bowl, forcing the aloe gel out of the leaf and into your container.
4. 4. Store. You can store aloe vera in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days. You can also place aloe vera in an icecube tray and freeze it for up to a year.

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