Watering aloe vera plants correctly is key to keeping them healthy and maintaining their appearance.
In this post, I’m going to explain how to tell when your aloe vera needs water and the techniques you can use to keep it properly hydrated.
Because they store water in their leaves, some people assume they need very little moisture and don’t give them enough. Others irrigate them too much, which can cause them to rot.
Read on to discover how to get the balance right and tell if you are over or under watering your aloe vera.
Aloe Vera Watering Requirements
Aloe vera doesn’t require as much water as other plants, but they still need enough to thrive and look their best.
They are succulents, which means they’re capable of storing water in both their leaves and stems.
Because of this, they’re able to survive the regular drought conditions in their native arid climates.
So they key is to mimic their natural watering pattern – which is to give them enough to properly hydrate them, and then let them dry out before giving them more.
Related Post: How To Grow & Care For Aloe Vera Plants
When To Water An Aloe Vera Plant
There is no set schedule to follow for when to water an aloe vera, and routinely doing it according to a calendar makes it more likely that you’ll end up giving it too much.
Instead, you should always check the soil to determine whether or not your plant actually needs water. Below I’ll show you exactly how to tell when it’s time.
How Do I Know If My Aloe Vera Plant Needs Water?
There are two simple ways to figure out if your aloe vera needs water or not, and both involve checking the soil.
One is to push your finger into the soil to see how moist it is. If the top 2 inches feels dry, then it’s time to give your plant some water.
But the easiest method is to use a moisture gauge – a small and inexpensive hygrometer probe that tells you just how much moisture is in the soil.
A reading from 1 to 3 on the gauge indicates that it is dry and your aloe vera needs watering.
How Often To Water Aloe Vera
There are several factors that affect how often to water your aloe vera, from the size of the plant, time of year and temperature, to location, humidity, and sunlight exposure.
For example, if you have a very small plant you, may need to water it more often as the roots become established than you would a larger more mature one.
Those in a hot, dry, and sunny outdoor location will need to be irrigated more often than indoor plants.
Also, a general rule, they will need more moisture during the warmer summer months and less through the winter.
Watering In Spring & Summer
Aloe vera plants need more water during the warmer months than they do when it’s cold outside, and there are a few reasons for this.
First, spring and summer are their most active growth seasons, which is one reason why they require more moisture. This is true even if yours stays indoors year round.
Also, higher temperatures and increased exposure to the sun will dry them out more quickly in the spring and summer.
During this time, check your indoor plant every 2-3 weeks, or weekly if it’s outdoors, to establish when it’s time to give it a drink.
Watering Aloe Vera In Fall & Winter
As temperatures start to drop in the fall, your aloe vera plant won’t need as much water.
That’s because they go into a semi-dormant state at this time, which means that their growth slows down, and their need for moisture drops accordingly.
In general, they’ll need about half as much water in the winter as they do during the warmer months, and sometimes less than that.
As always, let the moisture level of the soil be your guide, and water only when it’s dry.
How Much To Water Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plants don’t need very much water. The key to getting it just right is to allow at least the top 2 inches of soil to dry out, and then water deeply.
Remember, the exact amount your plant will need depends on how large it is and the environment, so there really is no set standard.
But keep in mind that overwatering is the #1 killer of aloe vera, so it’s always best to err on the side of under watering them.
Symptoms Of An Overwatered Aloe Vera Plant
Overwatering is the most common problem that people have with aloe vera plants. Here are the signs that yours has had too much.
- Soft, mushy spots
- Swollen blisters or bumps
- Browning leaf tips that feel soft
- Leaves turning yellow, brown, or even black (a sign of root rot)
- Droopy leaves
- Mold or gnats in the soil
- Leaves becoming transparent
- Sudden collapse of the entire plant
Symptoms Of An Underwatered Aloe Vera Plant
While it’s usually less of an issue, it is possible to under water an aloe vera. This is where things can get a little tricky, as some of the signs of underwatering are also symptoms of overwatering.
So be very careful here, and always check the soil moisture level to ensure it’s dry before giving your plant more water. Here are the signs that it’s not getting enough.
- Wilting, shriveling, or soft leaves
- Puckering
- Dry brown spots or leaf tips
- Yellow leaves
- Curling leaves (this is how the plant fights to hold on to moisture)
- Dried-out leaf edges
- Dry, shriveled roots
- Very dry soil that’s pulling away from the inside of the pot
How To Water An Aloe Vera Plant
When it comes time to water your aloe vera plant, there are two common methods people tend to use: irrigating either from the top or the bottom.
Below I will discuss each technique in detail, along with the pros and cons so you can be sure to get it right every time.
Top Watering
To water aloe vera from the top, pour it slowly over the soil (not the leaves) until you see it pooling on the surface or flowing through the holes underneath the pot.
Make sure that all of the excess drains away, and empty the drip tray before replacing the pot so that your plant is never soaking in water.
This is the method that I recommend, and it’s the best and safest way to prevent overwatering.
Bottom Watering
Bottom watering means that you fill the drip tray and allow the plant to soak it up through the holes in the pot.
I do not recommend using this technique to water your aloe vera because it makes it difficult to tell if you’re overwatering.
That’s because the roots can become saturated while the top of the soil remains dry, which means you’ll likely end up giving it too much.
The only time I would ever use this method is if the soil has become so bone-dry that it will not absorb any water when you pour it over the top.
In that case, soak it only long enough for the soil to start absorbing moisture, then dump out the tray immediately.
Related Post: How To Propagate Aloe Vera By Division
FAQs
Here are the questions I get asked most commonly about watering aloe vera plants, along with my answers. If yours isn’t listed here, please add it to the comments section below.
Does an aloe vera plant need water?
Yes, an aloe vera needs water, but less than other types of plants. It can store water in its leaves to help it survive through long periods of drought, but it still needs to stay properly hydrated to thrive.
How much water does an aloe vera plant need?
Exactly how much water an aloe vera plant needs depends on several factors, including its size, location, temperature, humidity, and time of year. The safest way to tell is to check the soil regularly to see when your plant is thirsty, and only water when it’s dry.
Can aloe vera be overwatered?
Yes, aloe vera can be overwatered, and it’s one of the most common problems that people have. Make sure you only water when the soil is dry, and never allow it to become saturated or soggy.
Should you mist aloe vera?
No, you should not mist aloe vera because moisture left sitting on the leaves can cause spots or rot. If your plant looks dusty, you can gently wipe the leaves with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Do you water aloe vera from the top or bottom?
Although you can water aloe vera from the top or the bottom, the safest method is pouring it over the top of the soil, as soaking your plant can easily cause overwatering.
I hope that you have found these tips for watering aloe vera useful. These beautiful plants require very little moisture, and if you’re careful to avoid overwatering, they should stay healthy and happy for years to come.
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!
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Amy Andrychowicz
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