How to grow Aloe vera

Aloe vera is also known as the first aid plant, as its sap is used to soothe burns, scalds, sunburn, skin irritations and insect bites. Cut away a leaf at the base, cut down its length and rub the sap directly on to skin.

Aloes look good on their own but combine really well with other succulents and cacti in a bright spot. In summer, you can put your aloe outside. It may produce a yellow tubular flower, but it's mostly grown for its attractive shape.

How to grow Aloe vera

Grow your aloe in a bright spot. Aloes are killed by overwatering, so water sparingly. Water only when the top few centimetres of compost have dried out, allowing any excess to drain away fully, and don't water at all in winter.

More on growing Aloe vera:

• 10 aloes to grow
• 20 succulents to grow
• Five succulent container displays
• How to propagate aloes

Growing Aloe vera: jump links

• Where to grow Aloe vera
• How to care for Aloe vera
• How to propagate Aloe vera
• Aloe vera problem-solving
• Types of Aloe vera to grow

How to plant Aloe vera

A terracotta pot is ideal for an Aloe vera – it is porous, so allows the soil to dry out between watering. Ensure that it has a drainage hole. Choose a pot that's the same size as the root ball. Use house plant or cactus compost, or ordinary peat-free multi-purpose compost with some horticultural grit or perlite added. You could top the compost with a layer of grit, too – this will keep the base of the plant dry and will prevent it rotting.

Where to grow Aloe vera

A bright windowsill or shelf is the ideal spot for an Aloe vera. It can take a little direct sunshine, but too much will burn the leaves.

Caring for Aloe vera

Aloe vera are succulents, so they store water in their leaves. It is important not to overwater them – water whenever the top few centimetres of compost to dry out between waterings. Make sure you let the water drain away fully – do not let the plant sit in water as this may cause the roots to rot. Aloes need very little water in winter.

Aloes are slow growing so repot when the plant has outgrown its pot, usually every two or three years.

Feed every couple of months from April to September with a weak plant food. Wipe the leaves occasionally, to prevent dust building up.

How to propagate Aloe vera

Aloes are very easy to propagate, from the baby plants, called offsets, that appear at their base.

1. Wait until the offsets are around a fifth of the size of the parent plant
2. Gently take the whole the plant out of its pot and gently tease away and separate the pups, making sure that you get some root attached to each one if there are any. If there are no roots, allow the nub at the bottom to dry out for a couple of days. Alternatively, cut away the offsets with a sharp knife
3. Pot up each plant into cactus compost, or multipurpose compost with plenty of perlite added for drainage
4. Water in well, letting any excess water drain away

Growing Aloe vera: problem solving

Red leaves leaves indicate that your plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Move it to a bright spot that is out of direct sun.

Wrinkled leaves are a sign that your plant is very short of water. Water lightly over a period of a few days, and mist the leaves. Don't saturate the compost – aloes do not enjoy sitting in cold, wet compost.

Pale or yellow leaves could mean that your aloe has been overwatered, or it isn't getting enough light.

Brown or mushy leaves are due to overwatering.

You may notice scale insects on the leaves – they look like brown blobs, about 5mm long. Remove with a cotton pad soaked in organic insecticide.

Varieties of Aloe vera to grow

• Aloe ‘Lime Fizz’ – an unusual, compact plant with orange, raised markings on the sides and edges of the leaves. Height x Spread: 15cm x 30cm

• Aloe arborescens (torch aloe) is a large aloe, with rosettes of succulent, toothed, sword-shaped leaves, from which tall, torch-like red flowers – similar to red hot poker – appear in summer. H x S: 4m x 2m

• Aloe ‘Red Sparkler’ – bronze-green leaves heavily spotted white, with small white teeth around the leaf edge. In summer tall, slender, white-tipped pink flowers appear. H x S: 30cm x 30cm
• Aloe polyphylla or spiral aloe – a sought-after aloe that has beautiful foliage in a spiral shape. This is an unusual aloe in that it needs more water than other varieties and can survive temperatures that go below freezing. Grow in a pot at a slight angle to aid water run off, or on its side in a stone wall. H x S: 50cm x 50cm