Need help growing Aloe

[Smiles Jr.]

I very good friend just gave me a baby Aloe plant today. It is in a 4" pot with potting soil. She told me that it should be a more sandy soil to thrive. I don't have any sand and I probably won't go out to buy one handfull of sand for it. Do you think it will be OK in the potting soil? Also what is the recommended watering procedure? Thanks.

 

[ninnymary]

You have to be careful not to overwater. I have one in a pot outside and does better when I neglect it. I probably water it about every 2 weeks. But remember that it doesn't get very hot here. This was given to me about 2 years ago in a broken plastic pot. I keep meaning to put it in a nicer pot but haven't yet. One of these days.

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, they will rot at the base if you keep them too wet. That's why sand is so good, it drains very well. if you use potting soil put gravel in the bottom of the pot so it will drain.

I've kept an aloe for years, letting it get all yellow and looking pretty dry before I water it. My Sister-in-Law gave me one to care for while she was living in China. It was special to her because it was her daughters, though her daughter really didn't care. She left it with her mother after all. Still, I split it into two different pots and neglected it. It thrived.

 

[Smart Red]

I agree with Ninnymary here. Mine thrived and it's hard to imagine a plant being more neglected than mine. Over the winter, it was in the sun room, but out of reach of the watering can. I would guess that one watering a month would be just fine -- just never standing in water. Mine was planted in plain old garden soil (I am embarrassed to admit) even though I seldom used garden soil for potted plants.

 

[thistlebloom]

They are cold sensitive so will be happiest indoors over the winter, then you can let it enjoy the outdoor life in the summer.
They are desert plants, so dry is good.

 

[baymule]

Aloe is an easy plant to keep alive. Just don't let it freeze. Although i have left them outside over the winter in my climate, that would never work where you live.

 

[catjac1975]

Neglect! I had an old aloe that I had for many years. Began to take it for granted. It bloomed yearly for several years. Then I left it outside too long and it got frosted and died.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

I was gifted several pieces of aloe plant from a friend in San Diego. She had them on the outside drainboard for over a year. I planted them and now I've got waaay too many.

Oh, I put a baby plant under the deck in a tray. Its been laying there, dirtless, since May. Its still alive.