How Often to Water Aloe Vera Plant

How Often to Water Aloe Vera Plant

If you have a new aloe vera plant, you’ll want to learn when you should be watering it. In this post, I’ll cover how often to water an aloe vera plant, along with the best methods for watering them.

How Often Do You Water Aloe Vera?

As a general rule, aloe plants should be watered whenever their soil has dried out to at least a 1-inch depth. Use your finger to test the soil. This often works out to a deep watering once every week or two, but many factors can affect how often you have to water aloe plants.

The size of the pot, the temperature in the room, and how much sunlight shines directly on the plant can all change the frequency and amount it takes to water aloe. In summer, you may have to water once a week, while in winter it could be once a month or even every other month. Younger aloes that haven’t completely established themselves may need more water than older ones.

Like most succulents, aloes prefer to be too dry rather than too damp. If you’re in doubt or can’t use the regular soil dampness test, let the visible potting soil around the aloe dry out completely before you water it again.

It’s important not to stress about aloe watering. Aloes are very resilient – I have some that live in a sunny door that I water every week, while another one that only gets a little morning sun gets watered around once a month (if that). All of them are thriving, though! Through trial and error, you’ll find a schedule that works for your particular aloe.

While they’re unusual, here are two extreme scenarios you may face, along with what to look for:

Signs of Underwatered Aloe

Thin, wilting, or curling leaves are all signs of an underwatered aloe. The leaves may also turn brown. The soil will be completely dry.

It’s usually easy to bring an underwatered aloe back to live, provided it didn’t completely dry out. Simply resume watering it by following the steps on how to water below.

Signs of Overwatered Aloe

An overwatered aloe may have mushy yellowing or brown leaves (or even drop leaves altogether) and rotting roots, along with an unpleasant smell. You may also notice mold growing on the surface of the soil, a sure sign of an overwatered aloe.

You may be able to bring an overwatered plant back to life by ceasing watering for a while, or, for severe cases, taking the plant out of its pot, trimming the rotten roots, and replanting in fresh, dry potting soil. (Here’s a full guide to aloe transplanting.)

How to Water Aloe Vera

When watering, thoroughly dampen the soil around the aloe, and water until the excess runs out the bottom. Let it sit in the excess water for several minutes to make sure it absorbs as much as it can, then dump what remains.

FAQs About Watering Aloe Vera Plants

How do I know if my aloe plant needs water?

An easy test is to stick your finger about an inch down into the soil to test for dryness. You can also test from the drainage hole at the bottom.

How much water do aloe vera plants need?

It varies based on the size of the plant and its age. While there’s no set amount, you should water it until the water runs out the bottom of the pot.

Do aloe plants like too much or too little water?

Neither is great, but when in doubt, err on the side of giving them too little. Too much water is more likely to kill them.

What does an overwatered aloe look like?

An overwatered aloe may have discolored leaves that are mushy and falling off the plant. The soil around it may also appear moldy.

Should you mist aloe vera?

No. Misting doesn’t water aloe as deeply as they need.

Do you water aloe vera from top or bottom?

From the top.

Happy Watering!

With these tips, you should now know how often to water an aloe vera plant, along with what to do with an over or underwatered one.