Aloe vera is an attractive and healthy succulent plant to grow at home. Unfortunately, growing it indoors can sometimes be a bit difficult. Here are the 5 most common mistakes people make when caring for this plant and what to do to correct them. Grow healthy aloe vera in pots!

5 Reasons You’re Having Trouble Growing Your Aloe Vera in a Pot

Aloe vera is not only beautiful, it is also a succulent plant with many useful properties. Why not have one at home? However, some people find it difficult to grow aloe vera indoors. We explain the 5 reasons why you are going broke and what you can do to fix it.

1. Your plant is not getting enough light

Aloe vera needs bright, natural light to grow and thrive. It is not a low-light houseplant. Lack of sunlight weakens the plant and leaves may become wrinkled or curled at the base or middle. Leggy growth and/or pale leaves are other indications of lack of light.

Solution

During the colder, darker winter months, you may need to move your aloe vera to a brighter location so it gets the light it needs. Place it near a sunny window. You can place it on a ledge if it’s not too hot, such as a south or west window.

Rotating your plant every 2-3 months ensures that it receives light from all sides and is not permanently leaning towards the UV source.

2. Your aloe vera pot is getting too much water

Aloe vera has plump, oily leaves that are filled with clear gel. They store water like thick roots. These plants are prone to root rot, especially when grown indoors. The leaves turn brown and limp when overwatered. In other words, they fall apart.

Solution

Water your aloe vera when it is about 3/4 full. This can be every 2 to 4 weeks in the summer, depending on the conditions you are growing in, the size of the pot, and the soil mix.

Just keep in mind that during the winter months you will need to reduce the frequency of watering, as this is when houseplants are resting.

Make sure that the pot that the aloe vera is growing in has drainage holes so that water can flow out. Care should also be taken that it is not sitting in a saucer full of water.

Check out our complete guide to watering succulents and cacti!

3. Your plant is planted in the wrong soil mix

This goes along with the previous point. An aloe vera plant prefers a light, airy, well-drained mix. If it is planted in potting soil that is too heavy, it will be much more prone to overwatering and will eventually rot.

Solution

Repot your plant. It’s best to pot it in a mix of succulents and cacti so that water can circulate and the roots can be aerated. You’ll find plenty of options online at specialty stores.

4. Your potted aloe vera sits on a warm windowsill

Although most succulents like medium to bright light when growing indoors, standing against a hot window will burn the leaves. Because of all the liquid in them, they are prone to sunburn. If large brown spots appear, or if they turn orange/brown, your plant is getting too much UV light.

Solution

Move your plant outside or away from a warm, sunny window. A southern or western exposure is fine, but not on a windowsill.

5. The potted aloe vera plant was stressed when you bought it

In some stores, plants sold indoors are exposed to light that is too weak. So there’s a good chance they’ve been watered too much or too little, depending on how long they’ve been on the shelves. In other cases, aloe vera is crowded on shelves with other potted succulents that may or may not have drainage. Staying too dry, too wet, or not getting enough light weakens the plant over time. If it’s been stressed for too long (which can happen faster than you think), it may not outgrow it.

Solution

Choose a healthy plant. If the leaves are yellow, have brown spots, and/or are curled, move on.