Party Time Potting Soil Mix for Aloe Vera Plants

Perfect conditions for your Aloe to Thrive

Have you always hoped and dreamed of being the aloe envy of your neighbors? Are you ready for unlimited holiday gifts for your loved ones an off-shoot at a time? Do you find yourself with constant sunburns? Well, then you're in luck! With this simple strategy for success in the right soil, your aloe vera plants will party! Read below to find the best homemade potting soil to perfectly nurture your aloe vera plant and make your dreams come true.

What's an Aloe Plant, Anyway?

Let's first talk about the aloe plant itself. What do we know? Aloe Vera (or Aloe Barbadensis) are succulent plants - not cacti. Maybe you’ve heard the expression, 'all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.' Although aloe resembles some variety of cacti, they are more closely related to lilies and asparagus than their cacti cousins. Also, they're typically hardy & forgiving plants for budding gardeners everywhere. This is not to say that they are indestructible. We'll get into some of the ideal settings for your aloe plant to party. 

Perfect Pot

Okay, first you'll need a new pot. We'll also need to consider pot size, placement for light and watering frequency. We'll have time to discuss best aloe practices below in summary. Before we do, let's get into why pot selection matters. Root rot is a real problem with aloe vera. Particularly, if overwatering is happening. Aloe's origin are found in the deserts of Northern Africa where soil quality is often a sandy arid mix. A noteworthy nugget with any plant is to know the environment where a certain species originates & thrives. In considering pot materials, one of the top selections for aloe plants are those constructed of porous materials to allow excess moisture to escape. The tried and true terra cotta pots are my favorite for succulents - try one for your next aloe planting. Be sure it has drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.. Most pots at my local hardware store include the tray with your pot, so you don't spill water all over the place! Also, aim for a pot size with a perimeter that's 2-3 inches bigger than the plant root ball. A larger pot may produce too many problems for maintaining the proper moisture for a happy aloe. In summary, the size of the pot matters when planting aloe vera. Have your pot grow with your aloe plant with gentle handling during all transplants. 

Get that Aloe!

Next is acquiring an aloe plant. The best way to is a gifted aloe plant starter from an established plant. Our mother plant at home has produced over 30 baby plants that we've gifted. If you aren't lucky enough to work in proximity to an established plant, swing by your local nursery, hardware story or big-box garden section. Look for an aloe plant with vibrant & fleshy green stalks. Flat or feathery plants may be healthy, but likely need some water. This step is mostly fool-proof. Pick one and let's get to the soil.

It's all about the soil

Let's play in the dirt. Nature Therapy Health Tip: Say No to Gloves & get your fingers dirty! Did you know that skin contact with soil provides boosts of happiness? Mycobacterium vaccae is absorbed through the skin and triggers serotonin release - this is the 'happy hormone'. You will literally feel better in small doses. Get dirty - it's good medicine! Let's get back to the script - Soil composition matters a lot for all succulents, including aloe. As mentioned before, aloe are susceptible to root rot if they receive too much moisture or there's nowhere for the water to go. Let's review the necessary considerations for the right potting soil for your aloe:

Good Drainage: As we've mentioned, aloe plants absorb and retain moisture in drought conditions in the desert. They have expertly adapted to get water when they can. What they do not do well is sit in a puddle. Excess water is a problem. For this reason, do NOT buy regular planting soils or utilize most topsoil (I guess if you live in sandy desert conditions, you may be fine digging holes in your backyard for soil). Most premixed topsoil bags contain moisture-retaining ingredients such as peat moss, compost or man-made components. This leads to too much water retention and your aloe will NOT have the best time. Specific succulent soil is often a good choice, but specific ingredient composition are not as easily controlled compared to the DIY recipe we're working on here. Also, sandy soil with proper drainage allows for pockets of oxygen to stay in the soil which is a yummy necessity for your aloe plant. SKIP ahead to the Party Time Potting Soil Mix for Your Aloe Plant

Neutral pH Balance of around 6: Aloe is happiest with a neutral pH. It's a good idea to grab a pH tester to test the ph level of your soil. These can be picked up cheaply online for $15-$20. Or commercial grade testers can demand ten times as much if you want a more reliable device.

Proper Nutrition Balance: Don't overdue fertilizers or nutrients. A little goes a long way & too many nutrients can create root burn for your new aloe plant. 

The best soil mix is to combine equal parts of All Four Ingredients Below:

Perlite: This is the most rad ingredient, as Perlite is Volcanic Glass - yes! For us, we need this high-water content granular goodness will help our drainage meet the requirements for happy aloe. Perlite will help to achieve excellent drainage and eliminate overly moist soil.

Coarse Sand: Get Builder's or Horticulturist Sand at most garden centers, nurseries or big-box stores. Avoid regular sand, as it's probably too fine.

Bark: I like Pine Bark because it's all around my home in the midwest US.  Orchid Bark is often used too, as it creates nice pockets for the oxygen needed. Avoid large chunks of bark & break it up if there are pieces larger than a grape. This organic material provides terrific nutrients for happy aloe plants!

Coco Coir: This is the fanciest name on the Ingredient Mix! It's made from coconut byproduct and has a great pH of around 6 to stabilize your soil mix. And it's terrific for moisture retention. Sometime peat moss is used here, but I really prefer coco for organic matter as it seems to produce the right conditions for aloe in my experience. 

You've done it - yay!

Now bask in the sunlight of success. Now that you have the best potting soil, remember to water only when needed! Every other week during Spring, Summer & Fall. Once a month is typically fine in the winter & some don't water at all during winter time. A good rule of thumb to determine when to water is to push your finger into the soil an inch or more. Only water if it's bone-dry. Otherwise, get out of the way & let your aloe thrive. Aloe doesn't typically develop root rot when watered too much at a time. Rather, it from too frequently watering. Aloe is NOT a daily drinker. Give it some time & your plant will have the best results. 

I hope you have aloe babies for years to come! 

Aloe Vera Plant FAQ's

Can I use regular potting soil?

Nope. Don't do it. As we've learned, regular soil mixes focus on moisture retention. This is the enemy of aloe plants & they thrive well well drained soil types. They retain all the water they need as it moves through well draining soil.

Can I use the 'Succulent Mix Pre-Packaged Soils'?

Yes - these mixes are often a good alternative to creating your own. Be sure to check the components to ensure it's not over-reliant on nutrient-rich parts.

What fertilizer do I need?

The naturalist in me says NONE. I'm kinda biased against fertilizers, but naturally occurring fertilizers can work wonders. There are great liquid fertilizers for succulents that make watering easy, specifically during growing seasons.

How often should I change my soil?

Good question. Thank you. Every 3 years or so is a good time frame to replace all your soil. Perhaps change even earlier if the plant starts to smell or is looking unhealthy. 

How much sun is needed?

Aloe Plants love Southern Facing light & can even tolerate direct sunlight. They need at least good indirect light most of the day. 

How do I transplant my aloe plant?

Transplant shock can occur in any plant. Your aloe is no exception. My experience with aloe has proven to require several pot size upgrades throughout the life cycle of our plants. Best practice for transplanting is to be as gentle as you can while transplanting. Also, try to keep roots in tact with as little damage or breaking as possible. Always repot your plants during the growing season of spring or summer when bright sunlight is more prominent. 

Can I use aloe to treat a sunburn?

Yes and No. Aloe can be used for symptomatic relief of minor sunburns. It does not actually cure or heal the burn. Rather, it helps soothe the pain associated with the skin damage. Also, always consult with your doctor prior to utilizing natrual remedies to help with medical conditions including skin damage.

Did you know that plants, gardening & even landscaping is considered nature therapy?!

There is so much goodness in being connected to nature. We'll conclude today's blog with a simple & quick short-list of some benefits of nature therapy! Discover the therapeutic magic of gardening and nature! 🌿 Our therapists swear by it, and here's why you should too:

Stress-Buster Oasis: Digging in the dirt is like a natural stress eraser. Say goodbye to tension and hello to tranquility.

Mindful Moments: Gardening forces you to be present. Focus on the petals, the soil, the breeze – a mindfulness exercise without the meditation cushion.

Sunshine Serotonin: Soak up that Vitamin D! Sunshine boosts serotonin levels, your body's own feel-good chemical.

Green Prescriptions for Anxiety: Studies show that exposure to nature reduces anxiety. Mother Nature is the ultimate anxiety ninja!

Ready to cultivate a calmer mind? Let's talk therapy, let's talk gardens! 

Authored by Aaron Shore, LPC

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2010 with over 20 years working in community mental health, non-profits & senior leadership roles. I have established mastery in trauma therapies, men’s issues, nature therapy & Severe and Persistent Mental Illness. I also love mentorship, clinical supervision & the development of young therapists.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is intended for educational resourcing. It is not medical advice or meant to replace directives by mental health professionals. Please continue to seek supportive services from qualified health professionals in your community. The most courageous thing you can do is admit to yourself you need help. And go get that help. We trust you will find your courage and find your way through. You will thrive. Keep going!