How to grow aloe vera outdoors or indoors can be done easily as long as you know the basic steps. This easy-care houseplant is beginner friendly so if you’re new to gardening, you can start by planting aloe vera. No matter if you want to grow aloe vera in pots or soil, you can check out the following guide.
Learn How to Grow Aloe Vera with Easy Methods for Beginners
Decide What Types of Aloe Vera You Want to Grow
There are four varieties of aloe vera commonly planted, from Aloe polyphylla, Aloe broomii, Aloe brevifolia, to Aloe barbadensis miller. The most popular one is Aloe barbadensis miller which usually grows wide and tall (around 2-3 feet). But, you can always choose which types of aloe vera you want to have indoors or outdoors.
Aside from those four varieties, there’s also “climbing aloe” or known as Aloe ciliaris. This type of aloe is popular as a succulent vine with stems with the growth reaching 30 feet length. Each variety would have different characteristics, from leaves, length, width, to thorns that can be preferred based on your preference.Plant Aloe Vera Outdoors
To plant aloe vera outdoors, you can simply find well-draining soils even if this plant survives well in nutrient-poor soils. Start digging a hole twice as deep and wide as when you plant aloe vera in pots. Nestle the plant in the ground, cover the hole with soil again, and water thoroughly before the next watering.Plant Aloe Vera Indoors
Planting aloe vera in pots or containers is always associated with indoor planting. So, get ready with the right pots or containers to fill with soil and place the plant in the center. The soil requirement is the same between indoor and outdoor planting, you need a well-draining, loamy, sandy soil mix.
How to grow aloe vera indoors is basically easier because you can simply place the plant in the ground. Cover the soil again so that the roots won’t be visible and you can start watering both soil and plant. Even though growing this plant indoors requires pots or containers, you can use these items for outdoor planting.Let the Plant Get Enough Light and Water
Since normally planted in warm climates, aloe vera will grow optimally when getting a lot of sun. No matter if you grow them indoors or outdoors, let them get 6-8 hours of full sun. Even if only bright indirect light indoors, your plant will thrive well, but don’t let them get excessive light.
Water the plants regularly, especially once the soil dries out completely between watering. Don’t let the soil remain dry for too long because the plant will wilt quickly and easily. However, make sure you don’t overwater them as well or you will make the roots rot in no time.Let the Plant in Warmer Temperature
Aloe vera shouldn’t be planted in cold-temperature areas because they cannot thrive in frosts or ongoing cold. That’s why you should make sure you grow them in areas with 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures or 13-27 degrees Celsius. This applies to outdoor and indoor planting so that you can succeed at growing them optimally.
How to grow aloe vera guide isn’t that hard because this plant doesn’t require a lot of consideration and care. Even after you plant them, aloe vera is low-maintenance and there’s no need to fertilize them. Indoor-planted aloe vera would live up to 12 years with proper care, meanwhile outdoor-planted one is up to 20 years.