Aloe
Use a gritty, fast-draining compost from the start rather than standard houseplant compost, which retains too much moisture. Flowering indoors is a rare, occasional event on a mature, well-lit specimen — most Aloes grown as houseplants are grown for their form rather than for flowers, so don't worry if yours never blooms.
Care
A sunny windowsill suits it well.
Succulent, drought-tolerant; allow compost to dry out completely between waterings.
Free-draining, gritty cactus/succulent compost.
Remove damaged or dying leaves at the base; offsets can be removed and potted up separately.
Two or three weak feeds with a cactus fertiliser over the summer, no more. A well-fed aloe grows fast, pale and soft — the opposite of the tight, firm rosette that survives a windowsill winter.
Detach the offsets that form round the base, keeping whatever roots come with them, and let any cut surface dry for a day before potting into gritty compost. Water sparingly until they are established.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season only, using a dilute cactus feed. how ›
- AprilRepot every 2 years or when offsets crowd the pot. how ›
- NovemberWater very sparingly through winter — little to none in a cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season only, using a dilute cactus feed. how ›
- AprilRepot every 2 years or when offsets crowd the pot. how ›
- NovemberWater very sparingly through winter — little to none in a cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season only, using a dilute cactus feed. how ›
- AprilRepot every 2 years or when offsets crowd the pot. how ›
- NovemberWater very sparingly through winter — little to none in a cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilLight monthly feed through the growing season only, using a dilute cactus feed. how ›
- AprilRepot every 2 years or when offsets crowd the pot. how ›
- NovemberWater very sparingly through winter — little to none in a cool room. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. From overwatering.
What to do. The dominant risk — water less.
How to spot it. In low light, thin leaves reaching for light.
What to do. Move to a brighter spot.
Questions
Aloe: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
An ideal windowsill succulent.
Aloe: when do you prune it?
Remove damaged or dying leaves at the base; offsets can be removed and potted up separately.
Aloe: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in January–March.
When do you feed it?
Two or three weak feeds with a cactus fertiliser over the summer, no more. A well-fed aloe grows fast, pale and soft — the opposite of the tight, firm rosette that survives a windowsill winter. Feeding months, UK: May–July.