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!
Nicole says
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
Chris says
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
Jen says
Oh I didn’t think about pups draining the mom! So that’s why my mom’s are dieing lol oops.
Sheila says
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.
Minh says
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?
jamie says
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!!
Andi says
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!!
Tracy says
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.
Anne jones says
My aloe era plant has two flowers on it? Is this normal, it looks marvellous .
Cindi says
I have to dig yo my aloes, how do I dig them up if their roots grow horizontally?
ashley says
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?
robin says
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.
robin says
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.
Florence says
I’d like to know how to propagate aloe vera from a leaf?
Michael says
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
Ally says
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?
Carrie says
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???