Most of us have heard of Aloe vera, the fleshy, succulent plant that is grown as a houseplant in Britain and used to treat skin problems like sunburn and scalds. But did you know that the genus Aloe has more than 500 species? These shrubby, succulent plants are native to Africa, Madagascar, and Arabia. Some species can be grown indoors, and some can even be grown outside in the summer.
Most aloes have a rosette of sharp, pointy, fleshy leaves that often have spots or spines on them. They also sometimes have yellow or red flowers. They look beautiful when grown with cacti and succulents, both inside and outside in gravel gardens and summer succulent displays.
Aloe plants are popular succulent houseplants known for their thick, fleshy leaves and healing properties. There are over 500 species of aloe, but only certain types make for suitable indoor houseplants. When cared for properly, aloe plants can thrive for years indoors.
Aloe plants store water in their leaves, so they don’t need frequent watering. Their succulent properties also make them highly adaptable to warm, dry environments. Most aloe varieties enjoy full sun and well-draining soil. With the right growing conditions, aloe makes an easy-care houseplant.
Here are the top 8 types of aloe houseplants and tips for growing them indoors
1. Aloe Vera
The most popular type of aloe is Aloe vera, renowned for its medicinal qualities. The leaves contain a clear gel that can be applied to the skin to relieve minor burns irritation and inflammation. Aloe vera is characterized by thick, triangular leaves that fan out from the base. The leaves are lined with tiny white teeth. Under ideal conditions, aloe vera can grow up to 2 feet tall indoors.
Aloe vera thrives in bright, direct light Water moderately, allowing the soil to completely dry between waterings. Use a cactus potting mix for proper drainage In winter, allow the plant to become slightly drier. Aloe vera may produce orange flowers in summer.
2. Torch Aloe
Torch aloe (Aloe arborescens) is a popular houseplant known for its vibrant orange-red blooms in winter. It has a clustered rosette of succulent gray-green leaves 2 feet wide. As it matures, torch aloe forms a short trunk. Outdoors, torch aloe can grow up to 10 feet tall. Indoors, limit its size to about 2-3 feet.
Torch aloe thrives in a sunny window. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Use a well-draining cactus potting mix. To trigger flowering, provide bright light and allow the plant to slightly dry out in winter. Its flowering stalks attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
3. Lace Aloe
Lace aloe (Aloe aristata) is a dwarf aloe with delicate, lacy leaves. The succulent leaves are soft and flexible with white bumps. The rosette only grows 4-8 inches tall, making lace aloe perfect for desks and tabletops. With enough sun, the leaves will develop a pleasing red-pink blush. Lace aloe produces coral-colored flowers in late fall and winter.
Lace aloe thrives in bright light but can tolerate some afternoon shade. Use a porous potting mix and allow it to dry between waterings. This type of aloe is more cold tolerant than other varieties, surviving light frosts. Provide minimal water in winter.
4. Spiral Aloe
Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) is a rare aloe prized for its spiral shape. The leaves twist and curl into a perfect rosette shape up to 20 inches wide. From above, the leaf arrangement resembles a vortex or spiral galaxy. Spiral aloe rarely exceeds 12 inches in height.
Spiral aloe requires very porous soil and infrequent watering to avoid rot. Provide plenty of direct sunlight. Allow the soil to completely dry between waterings. In winter, water even less. Spiral aloe may produce tall flower stalks with pink blooms in summer. Handle this aloe gently since the leaves detach easily.
5. Tiger Aloe
Tiger aloe (Aloe variegata), also called partridge breast aloe, is named for its striped leaves. The succulent green leaves feature irregular white crossbands and toothy edges. Plants form short stems and only reach about 12 inches tall indoor. Outdoors, tiger aloe can grow up to 3 feet tall. The rosette shape spreads 24 inches wide.
Grow tiger aloe in a sunny window indoors. Use a sandy potting mix, allowing it to fully dry between waterings. Reduce water slightly in winter but don’t allow it to shrivel. Tiger aloe produces tubular orange flowers at maturity. The nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
6. Fan Aloe
Fan aloe (Aloe plicatilis) is a popular houseplant prized for its broad, fan-shaped leaves. The blue-green leaves are finely toothed and resemble the leaves of a Japanese fan palm. Mature rosettes reach up to 12 inches tall and 2 feet wide but grow slowly indoors. Fan aloe occasionally produces tall stalks of coral flowers.
Fan aloe thrives in bright indoor light. Aim for at least 4 hours of direct sun daily. Use a well-draining potting mix to avoid soggy roots. Allow the soil to completely dry between waterings. Reduce water in winter while keeping it just barely moist. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer in spring and summer.
7. Mediterranean Aloe
Mediterranean aloe (Aloe mitriformis) hails from South Africa but gets its name from its compatibility with Mediterranean climates. This type of aloe has fleshy spear-shaped leaves that form symmetrically around the base. At maturity, the succulent rosette grows 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Tubular orange flowers appear in summer.
Mediterranean aloe thrives in bright light to full sun. Use a sandy, porous potting mix and allow it to dry between waterings. Let the soil dry even longer in winter. Avoid overwatering, which leads to rotting. Provide good drainage and water only when the soil is completely dry.
8. Miniature Aloe
Miniature aloe (Aloe brevifolia) is a petite aloe that makes an excellent desk plant. The short green leaves form a low rosette no more than 3-6 inches tall. Miniature aloe spreads slowly to form a dense groundcover. Tiny coral flowers may appear in late fall or winter.
Miniature aloe enjoys full sun but also tolerates partial shade. Use a sandy potting mix and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Limit water in winter. Miniature aloe can be grown outdoors in frost-free regions and also makes an excellent groundcover or border plant in the garden.
With proper care, aloe plants can thrive for years as low-maintenance houseplants. Provide ample sunlight, porous soil, and minimal water for your aloe to grow healthy and strong indoors. Limit fertilizer to spring and summer for best results.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-157647470-5c5b1732c9e77c0001661ea9.jpg)
How to grow aloes
Like all succulents, plants in the Aloe genus thrive in a nutrient-poor, free-draining soil. Put them in pots with peat-free cactus compost or a mix like that made from peat-free multi-purpose compost with horticultural grit, sand, or perlite added to help the soil drain and lower the amount of nutrients. Some pots, like terracotta pots, have holes in them that let the compost dry out faster than in plastic pots. If you’re lucky, your aloe may flower if you water it little in the summer and not at all from fall to spring.
Browse our list of 10 aloes to grow, below.
Torch aloe, Aloe arborescens, is a large aloe, native to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. It has dense rosettes of succulent, toothed, sword-shaped leaves. In the summer, tall, torch-shaped red flowers that look like kniphofia or red hot poker grow from these leaves.
Height x Spread: 4m x 2m
Cape aloe, Aloe ferox, is a large aloe with blue-green, toothed leaves often tinged with red. Mature plants carry their old leaves on the base of the stem, as a ‘petticoat’. Dramatic, candelabra-esque red flowers appear in summer.
H x S: 3m x 1.5m
Aloe x pachyveria ‘Bill Baker’ bears huge rosettes of short fat silver-green leaves with a soft downy coating. It’s perfect for growing in containers on a sunny patio. “Bill Baker” can handle light frosts, but it’s best to bring potted plants inside in the fall to make sure they make it through the winter.
H x S: 30cm x 30cm
Aloe ‘Lime Fizz’ forms a compact plant of pale green leaves with rust-coloured, raised markings on both sides. The leaf margins have saw-like edges in golden-orange.
H x S: 15cm x 30cm
Aloe rauhii, or “snowflake aloe,” is a rare type of aloe that grows in rosettes of triangular, pale green leaves with white oval patterns and tiny teeth along the edges. In full sun the leaves develop a purplish orange colour.
H x S: 15cm x 20cm
71 ALOE SPECIES | HERB STORIES
FAQ
How do I tell what kind of aloe I have?
What is the difference between blue and green aloe?
Do aloe plants need direct sunlight?
Is it good to keep an aloe vera plant inside a home?
What are the different types of Aloe bushes?
1. African aloe (Aloe africana) This one is one of the few single-headed varieties of South African aloe varieties, with drooping leaves sprouting from the trunk. It is drought tolerant, reaching a height of 8ft and a width of 4ft. It blooms orange and yellow flowers from spring to winter.
How much aloe vera juice from a house plant should one drink?
20 ml, 2 to 3 times a day. A dose greater than this, except in special cases and under expert advice, can cause problems such as nausea and acidity.
What type of Aloe can be grown indoors?
It is a low-growing type of aloe that grows upwards in small, stemless clumps and has leaves covered in soft spines. The haworthioides will sport orange and highly fragrant blooms. This is also the type of aloe that is commonly found in offices since it can survive growing indoors. Ideal – 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is aloe vera a houseplant?
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a popular type of houseplant and also grows well outdoors in tropical climates. The plant has thick green succulent leaves that have healing qualities for your skin. Other names for aloe vera plants include ‘true aloe,’ ‘Chinese aloe,’ or ‘Indian aloe.’
What plants look like aloe vera?
Like all other plants and trees, there are also notable aloe vera lookalikes that you should know of. On the top list would be the agave, gasteria and the haworthia plants. 1. Agave This one is the most comparable with aloe because they sport the same triangular leaves.
Which aloe plant is best?
If you are looking for a red variety of aloe plant, then the Rubble aloe (Aloe perfoliata) is a good choice due to its red leaves and red flowers. This versatile type of aloe thrives in hot dry summers and can also withstand cold winters. To really get the best from this aloe, you should plant it where it gets full sun.