The aloe vera is valued as a healing and decorative green plant. If you avoid these care mistakes, it will thrive on you too. Aloe vera has a long tradition as a medicinal plant. But it is also extremely decorative as a houseplant.
Aloe vera should not be missing in any succulent collection: with its tapering, rosette-like leaves, it exudes a tropical flair. Many know and appreciate the aloe vera as a medicinal plant. The cooling, anti-inflammatory juice of the thickened leaves is particularly popular with skin diseases. Basically, the aloe vera is considered to be robust – nevertheless, a few points should be taken into account when choosing the location and caring for the indoor and container plants.
Mistake 1: too dark location
Aloe vera’s need for light should not be underestimated. The succulent plant is native to hot desert regions, which are characterized by strong sunlight and heat. Here, too, it needs a warm, full sun location – ideal is a place at the south window or in the winter garden. Do not place the desert lily too dark: a lack of sunlight quickly leads to poor growth. In summer the lighting conditions on the balcony and terrace are much better. Then the thick leaf plant can move to a warm, rain-protected place outside. In winter, the aloe vera is also as light as possible.
Mistake 2: pour too much
Does the aloe vera get brown, mushy leaves? Then it is probably due to too much moisture. If you keep the substrate permanently too wet and pour the green plant over its leaves from above, there is a risk of rot. As a succulent plant, Aloe vera can store water in its thickened leaves. Temporary dry phases are therefore no problem for them. It is best to water thoroughly and wait until the substrate has dried well before the next watering. In winter you can keep the plant almost completely dry. Very important: Do not pour into the leaf rosette, because the water can easily collect there and cause rot damage. Better to pour from below directly onto the substrate or over the coaster. To avoid waterlogging and root rot, it is essential to ensure good drainage and sandy, well-drained soil.
Mistake 3: Incorrect hibernation
In contrast to some other succulents such as houseleek or sedum plant, aloe vera is not hardy and must be brought into the house in time for wintering. Keep them bright, but not too warm. The plant can only enter a resting phase and is stimulated to flower when it is kept cool during the winter between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. An unheated winter garden or a bright stairwell, for example, are suitable as frost-free winter quarters. Note that the aloe vera hardly needs any water or fertilizer during this time. With a bit of luck, the time has come in spring: a long flower stalk appears, bearing the tubular flowers arranged in clusters in yellow, orange or red. As soon as you spot the first flowers, you can warm up the beauty again.
