Aloe vera plants are a fairly common houseplant. Not only are they an attractive plant to enhance decor, but they are very useful. The juice found within the leaves can be topically applied to cuts, burns and scrapes to help alleviate pain.
Because of the nature of succulents, their growing needs can be just a touch different than most other houseplants. Read on to see how to best care for an aloe vera plant.
1. Use a light, airy potting mix
The thick, fleshy leaves on an aloe plant result from water storage within the cellular tissue. Because succulents hold so much water in their leaves, they thrive in a soil that doesn’t hold water. Look for light, airy potting mixes that drain quickly. Some are specifically marketed for use with succulent plants or you can make your own. The Bump recommends mixing equal parts of commercial potting soil, sand and “grit” such as perlite, pumice or gravel.
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2. Choose unglazed terra cotta pots
Typically growers are warned that plants in unglazed terra cotta pots require watering more frequently. In the case of aloe plants, unglazed terra cotta pots actually work in the favor of the grower. The soil will dry out more quickly, which is what the plant prefers. This is especially important in cool or humid areas where the soil doesn’t dry out as quickly.
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