We Love Aloe!

Info, Recipes, and News about Aloe Vera

  • Medicinal Uses
  • Skin Care
  • Aloe Plant Care
  • News
  • Hair Care
  • Recipes
You are here: Home / Aloe Plant Care / Pick the Perfect Pot for Your Aloe Plant!

Pick the Perfect Pot for Your Aloe Plant!

December 15, 2013 by Danielle Brown 17 Comments

Oh, sweet succulents! What is the secret, you ask, to raising these desert-dwelling plants in your home? By no means are you expected to bring the sandy terrain and hot, dry air of the desert inside! A much simpler solution is at hand!  A beautiful aloe vera plant starts with the pot you put it in. Forget the soil, the amount of water and light, and the room temperature your aloe vera plant will need for now. When bringing a new aloe vera plant into your home, picking the perfect pot to raise is in all that should be on your mind. Find the perfect pot, and you will get your aloe plant started on the right foot! Let’s take a look at all the pots for aloe vera plants you have to choose from!

How to Pick the Perfect Pot: Aloe Plant Pot Pointers

If your aloe vera pot meets all of the criteria on the checklist below, you have found a keeper! The best pot for an aloe vera plant will meet the following requirements:

1. Size: Succulents need a small pot

Going pot shopping for your succulent? Do not get a bigger one than necessary! When it comes to picking out the proper pot size for your aloe vera, here is the rule you will want to abide by:

  • the roots of your aloe vera should take up 2/3 of the container

Why such tightly packed roots? Because it will require less soil.The more soil you have, the longer the soil will stay wet, meaning you are likely to overwater it. Overwatering can lead to root rot and even the death of your precious aloe vera. Since succulents like the aloe vera need a small amount of water to begin with (they are used to the dry, arid climate of the desert), they can easily be overwatered. Picking a pot that will fit their roots snugly inside will protect your plant from too much water.

2. Depth: Go wide, not deep

An aloe vera has a unique root system: its roots grow horizontally and shallowly. This means the typical pot–one that is deeper than it is wide–will not be the best fit for your plant. Instead, opt for a pot that has a large width, not one that is deep. If you pick a deep pot, the roots will not reach the bottom of the pot, leaving the soil unused and water sitting there.

3. Drainage: Make sure your pot has a drainage system

If your pot does not have a drainage system, water will build up. Make sure your pot has holes in the bottom so extra water can exit, otherwise your aloe vera might suffer from overwatering!

4. Type: Material of your pot depends on your climate

Plastic, clay, or terra cotta? Which is the best material for your aloe vera pot? Well, it depends on where you live! Plastic pots are the best option if you are living in a place with low humidity and hot summers. If you live in a cooler or more humid climate, a clay or terra cotta is the way to go, since they offer better drainage.

Now that you know all about aloe vera pots, get to the store and pick out the perfect one!

Related posts:

Don't Forget Aloe Root Care!
Outdoor Lovin'! How to Care for Aloes in the Great Outdoors
The Type of Soil an Aloe Vera Plant Needs to Thrive

Filed Under: Aloe Plant Care

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    July 28, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    My big aloe plant has pups growing from its roots.
    Should I just pull the pups apart and repot them?
    Do they need to stay in water until they grow their own roots?
    I look forward to your reply!
    Thank you!
    Nicole

    Reply
  2. Chris says

    August 27, 2014 at 2:08 am

    Nicole.. Pick those new sprouts once they become about 3-5 inches replant in a new smaller pot the mother plant will drain from those smaller plants living off of it cut it off it you need to look on the Internet for ideas on how to replant Aloe vera sprouts

    Reply
    • Jen says

      September 7, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      Oh I didn’t think about pups draining the mom! So that’s why my mom’s are dieing lol oops.

      Reply
  3. Sheila says

    October 4, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Hi, I just purchased a aloe leaf about 27″ in length. I have read your posts. I would like to know how to plant it and any other instructions for a leaf of this suze. What size pot, what type of pot, etc. I had for 2 days now, it is beginning to water itself. I sat in sink and run water to keep moist. Help.

    Reply
  4. Minh says

    December 15, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    My mom’s aloe plant is growing very well, too well I think for the pot. After reading this, I think the pot is too deep and now wide enough. The plant is growing over the pot and downward. She’s propping it up with sticks. Any help?

    Reply
  5. jamie says

    December 15, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Hey I just got 3 small aloe vera plants for christmas but they are all in the same pot. I bought 2 small pots about 3 inches across the top I was going to transfer one into each. Im worried about the size of pot. The leaves are only 3 or 4 inches long . Any help would be great!!

    Reply
  6. Andi says

    March 11, 2015 at 12:04 am

    3 months ago I received a 6 year old aloe from a friend. I repotted in the right size pot, but over time the plant is slowly getting red tips on the ends of her leaves which turn dry. Several large bottom leaves have died. :(I just moved her into a location with less sun than before. Do you have any other suggestions? Thank you very much!!

    Reply
    • Tracy says

      October 21, 2015 at 10:51 am

      What kind of soil are using, and how often are you watering it? Succulent soil is best. In the summer (in NJ) I usually put my aloe outside in direct sunlight and the whole plant turns brown until it readapt to the light change. I never water it. I just let the rain do its thing. But in the winter, while inside, I keep it in a partial shade spot by a window, and I only water once every 2-3 weeks. The leaves on the bottom should start to die off and lose “pulp” but the ones on the top should stick straight up and be green.

      Reply
  7. Anne jones says

    April 29, 2015 at 11:52 am

    My aloe era plant has two flowers on it? Is this normal, it looks marvellous .

    Reply
  8. Cindi says

    June 2, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    I have to dig yo my aloes, how do I dig them up if their roots grow horizontally?

    Reply
  9. ashley says

    June 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    I can’t find the answer to how to grow my aloe vera pups (I received from a friend) to a 2 foot tall plant. Do I need to get a planter that’s 3 inches deep and 4 feet wide? or Do they need at least 6 inches of dirt for their root system?

    Reply
  10. robin says

    August 3, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    I have two 4″ tall aloe vera plants, one 6″ and one 8″ plants. can I plant the two 4″ ones together in a 6″ tall pot then the 6″ one by itself and the 8″ one by itself their very nice pots with excellent drainage and I would like to use them.

    Reply
  11. robin says

    August 3, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    can I plant two 4″ aloe plants, can I plant both in one 6″ tall pot, then I’ll plant my 6″ tall plant in another pot, and finally my 8″ tall plant in a third 6″ tall pot, that takes care of my set of three 6″ pots, they have excellent drainage for these plants. they have nice roots and I want to be sure I plant them properly. I’d sure like your advice.

    Reply
  12. Florence says

    August 27, 2016 at 6:15 am

    I’d like to know how to propagate aloe vera from a leaf?

    Reply
  13. Michael says

    April 10, 2017 at 4:43 am

    Hi, I have 2 aloe veras and I want to move them to these plastic pots that were originally office wastebins that my dad burned holes at the bottom (…I don’t know why). I live in New York City and plan to move them into my living room during the winter months. Should I use the plastic pots even though I live in a colder climate? I prefer them to the clay pots because they are easier to carry around, but still would like to know if it is a good idea.
    Thanks,
    Mike

    Reply
  14. Ally says

    May 22, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    My Aloe plant appears healthy, growing new leaves with long and firm old leaves. However, the plant is very droopy. I wonder if it does not have enough support? Should I re-pot it? If so, how do I give it more support to hold up old leaves? Or is there something else I should do?

    Reply
  15. Carrie says

    August 16, 2019 at 2:50 pm

    My aloe vera plant is very large and top heavy. The plant is leaning. I have put a cage around it but does anyone have an suggestions on what I should do???

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search AloePlant.info

Connect with Us!

  • Email
  • Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Diego on Aloe & Ink: Is Aloe Good for Your New Tattoo?
  • Jay on Wait Up! Before You Pop that Aloe Vera Pill, Learn the Side Effects
  • Mac on Tame That Aloe! How to Trim Your Out-Of-Control Aloe
  • Sahira on Aloe and Shampoo: A good mix?
  • Carrie on Pick the Perfect Pot for Your Aloe Plant!

Recent Posts

  • The Ultimate Massage: How to Make Aloe Vera Oil for Skin
  • Dried, Brown Leaves? You May Have a Sunburnt Aloe on Your Hands
  • Can An Aloe Plant Get Too Much Sun?
  • Soothe an Itchy Scalp with Cooling Aloe Vera!
  • Grease Be Gone! Combine Lemon & Aloe Vera for Your Oily Scalp

Privacy

  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in