Aloe Vera has been hailed as a go-to healing plant for centuries, so there’s no doubt that our Franky the Aloe Vera plant is a great guy. His gorgeous fleshy leaves and easy-going nature make him a great catch for anyone looking for a chilled out indoor plant.

Here’s everything you need to know about looking after your lovely Aloe Vera plant:

Top tips for looking after an Aloe Vera plant

Aloe Vera is super easy to look after, but before you begin there are some essential tips to remember…

• Don’t overwater your Aloe Vera plant, especially in Winter. They go into a state of dormancy in winter and won’t need more than two or three waterings throughout the whole season. Older Aloe Vera plants actually cope better when they’re left alone for Winter, so don’t feel guilty if you don’t water him too much in colder months.
• Again, pruning isn’t essential with laid back Franky but you might like to prune the odd flower stalks that crop up here and there. You might want to remove the leaves in order to use the Aloe for medicinal purposes and this is recommended. It won’t harm hardy Franky at all. Wrap his leaves in foil and keep them in the freezer for a soothing treat the next time you have a sunburn.
• Aloe Vera can suffer from an attack of little critters, so it can be tempting to use pesticides to get rid of them. However, it’s vital that you don’t use chemicals and pesticides on your aloe vera plant as they’re too sensitive for these kinds of chemicals. Clearing the leaves with rubbing alcohol will get rid of any nasty bugs that may have found their way in.

What light does an Aloe Vera plant like?

Franky is a succulent, and he loves desert-like conditions. We know what you’re thinking - the UK probably isn’t the best place for Franky - however, he actually thrives indoors where temperatures are warmer.

He’s happiest in bright spots with lots of indirect sunlight and even artificial light too. His favourite temperatures are around 13 to 27 degrees celsius, so most homes are ideal.

Some people like to give Franky air in the summer months and allow him to venture outside. This can be great for your Aloe Vera plant, but be sure to watch out for heavy rain pour that the UK can get even in the height of summer, as this can drown poor Frank.

How should you water an Aloe Vera plant?

This is often the trickiest part of living with Franky, as many plant parents tend to smother him with love and affection when actually he’s happier with very little attention.

Don’t be tempted to pamper Franky with over-watering, as he will hate that. Unlike other indoor plants, he will keep water in his leaves, rather than the soil so it can be hard to know when he needs a drink. Although his soil may be dry, Franky could be full of water in those lovely, glossy leaves. To ensure you don’t overdo it with the water, allow the top inch of soil to fully dry out before you think about watering him again - this will be about every 7-14 days.

How should you plant Aloe Vera?

How you plant Franky is important as he likes to drain his soil before being re-watered. Sitting in water is not good for him, so a planter that’s made of terracotta or another porous material will suit him best.

Choosing a plant pot with drainage holes in the bottom is also key, as it will allow him to drain out fully. Try to choose a pot that is sturdy too, like our concrete plant pot, as Franky can get quite heavy as he grows, and lighter pots can tip over under his weight.

If you want to start looking after Franky, then take a look at our lovely Aloe Vera plant. Or, if you’re new to the world of gardening, then take a look at our advice on how to grow stuff.