These simple tips for growing aloe vera inside are perfect for anyone!

Aloe vera is such a neat plant with so many amazing benefits. I love to use also in homemade skincare products like this hand sanitizer or this DIY eye mask.

If you buy aloe vera to use, it is best to pick out an organic option like the one I talk about this in post.

Another option is to grow your own. It is very simple to do as long as you follow these basic tips!

Simple Tips for Growing Aloe Vera Inside

Side Note: Don’t worry…Ruger doesn’t mess or eat this plant! He is just curious about everything so he likes to stare and sniff it from time to time 🙂

1. Water Correctly

This is the most important tip for aloe vera. I have found that you almost need to treat it like a succulent or cactus plant. It doesn’t need much water, but it can be over watered very easily.

Don’t water until soil is completely dried out. During the winter, it is best to water even less since the temperature in the house will be much lower. Water doesn’t evaporate very fast. 

In the summer, give the soil a good watering once it is completely dried out. You will want the water to drain out the bottom. In the winter or cooler months, just give the soil a light watering once dried out. 

DON’T water the leaves!

2. Keep in a lighted area.

Aloe vera needs sunlight to grow best. If you live in a place like I do (Texas), the climate is very hot in the summer months. This is too much for aloe vera, so I always move it to a cooler spot with a little sunlight. In the winter, I keep it by the back door for full sunlight.

3. Remove and replant the babies that grow.

When an aloe plant gets large, it will start sprouting little baby plants all along the soil. If you don’t remove them, they will actually take the water and nutrients from the large plant.

Just pull out those babies and replant in another pot with good potting soil. Water these well for a few weeks to establish roots.

4.  Make sure to use a large pot!

To let your aloe plant grow larger, it needs a good sized pot. As with almost all indoor plants, it can get too crowded in the pot causing the roots to bunch. This will cause it to not look as healthy. The larger the better for pots, plus it will allow the plant to grow faster.

5. It doesn’t need fertilizer

I know a lady who has grown aloe vera for 30 years and she has HUGE aloe plants. I asked her if she fertilized at all, she said no. It is usually too much for the plant and doesn’t do well. They are best with just sunlight in the proper doses and correct watering!

6. Use potting soil for cacti

The best potting soil to use for aloe is the type formulated for cacti. This will typically have nutrients in it which can help the plant thrive more especially after repotting. Even though it doesn’t need fertilizer like mentioned above, these nutrients can be helpful for new plants.

Using the Leaves

To use the leaves, you can cut or snap off a piece of the leaf. I like to go all the way to the stem, but if you only need a small amount, you can cut a smaller piece.

Cut lengthwise, then spoon out the gel.

When using it in homemade recipes, remember it will be a little more watery than the kind you buy. Just use less than normal.

Enjoy trying aloe vera with this simple growing tips!!

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