Name: Aloe vera
Brand: Surreal Succulents

Aloe vera

£8.50

At a glance

Light: Full sun5+ hours of sun
Lowest temperature: 0°C Keep it frost free
Mature size: 50 cm x 50 cm Height x width
Growability: BeginnerWhat this means

Where it grows best and how to care for it

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What arrives

Sent by Royal Mail, with tracking
Unless stated otherwise, grown in a 6cm pot and around 5-7cm wide. Size guide
Sent bare-root, so it travels safely. Why we ship without pots and soil
Packed without plastic, apart from the plant label
Grown at our nursery in Cornwall and picked by hand for your order

The plant you receive may not look exactly like the photos.

Aloe vera is probably the most common of all aloes. It's medicinal properties and easiness to grow indoors make it a must for any household.

Pot on into a good succulent mix, feed in the spring and keep indoors on a bright windowsill out of the direct midday sun, water when the soil becomes dry to touch.

If you are to take any of the leaves for medicinal purposes, it is always best to use the older lower leaves as the Aloe will recover better for any future use.

We send everything by Royal Mail, and you'll get tracking updates once your order is on its way.

Standard: we send your order within 3 working days by Tracked 48, so it takes 3 to 5 days to arrive.

Super Express: order before 2pm on a working day and it goes out the same day by Tracked 24, arriving in 1 to 2 working days.

Our packaging is 100% plastic-free. The plant label is the only plastic in the box.

Your plants travel bare-root, nested carefully in the packaging.

Light

Full sun

5+ hours of sun

Full shade
Partial shade
Full sun

Lowest temperature

0°C

Keep it above 0°C, so it needs protecting from frost.

0°C

Good places to grow it

Balcony
Patio
Sunny windowsill

Growability: Beginner
Growth form: Clumping
Growth rate: Fast
Mature size (H x W): 50 cm x 50 cm
Foliage colour: Green

Customer reviews

On arrival

Unpacking and planting

Aloe vera is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove the protective material and check that the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition.

Plant Aloe vera in the compost recommended in this guide. Spread the roots into a natural position rather than folding or forcing them into the pot. Hold the plant at the correct depth while adding compost around the roots, then tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the mixture. Do not press the compost down heavily by hand.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This resting period allows small root injuries caused during lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this, water lightly while the roots establish. Begin the normal watering routine once the plant is firmly rooted and showing healthy growth.

Keep Aloe vera in a bright, sheltered position during establishment. Protect it from intense midday sunshine for the first week, then introduce it gradually to the recommended light conditions. Temporary softness or the loss of a few older leaves is normal while the root system recovers.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water Aloe vera thoroughly, allow every excess drop to escape and wait until the compost has dried before watering again. Follow our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Aloes appreciate deep watering during active spring and summer growth, but the frequency must still be determined by the compost, temperature and pot size. Keep water out of the central crown.

Reduce watering substantially during winter. Thick leaves store enough moisture to carry a healthy plant through a dry period more safely than cold, wet roots.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Aloe vera with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Balcony, Patio, and Sunny Windowsill. Good natural light is required to maintain compact growth and bring out the strongest foliage colour.

Avoid dark rooms or positions far from a window. Insufficient light causes stretched stems, loose rosettes and weak new growth. Rotate pot-grown plants regularly so every side receives an even amount of light.

Introduce Aloe vera to stronger sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a period under cover. Sudden exposure can scorch foliage that has not adjusted to direct light. Provide temporary shade during intense heatwaves if the leaves begin to mark.

Compost and drainage

Plant Aloe vera in a free-draining mixture. We recommend a standard multi-purpose compost or a John Innes No.2 (sandy) mix with 30 to 40 percent by volume of drainage media added, such as horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite. Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes.

Select a container that is only moderately larger than the root system. Too much unused compost remains wet for longer and makes careful watering more difficult.

Terracotta is an excellent choice because its porous surface helps the compost dry evenly and allows air to reach the roots. A thin layer of horticultural grit around the plant also keeps lower leaves away from damp compost.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support Aloe vera for approximately three to six months. Once these nutrients have been used, apply a balanced liquid feed at half the recommended strength every three to four weeks while the plant is actively growing.

Apply feed when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering. This distributes the nutrients around the roots and reduces the risk of damage from concentrated fertiliser.

Stop feeding during prolonged cold weather or whenever active growth has paused. Additional nutrients cannot be used effectively by a resting plant and can encourage soft, vulnerable growth.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Aloe vera is 0°C. Move it into a bright, airy and protected position before conditions fall below this level. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool room can provide suitable protection for tender varieties.

Keep the compost much drier through winter because cold, wet roots are particularly vulnerable to rot. Do not place the plant directly above a radiator, as warm dry air combined with weak winter light can produce distorted growth.

Use high-quality horticultural fleece as an additional layer of protection during short cold spells. Allow air to circulate around the foliage whenever conditions permit.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

During warm weather, keep Aloe vera in a bright position with good airflow. Check the compost regularly, but do not assume that a hot day automatically means the plant needs water.

Move the plant away from intense afternoon sunshine if the leaves begin to scorch. Plants grown behind glass can become much hotter than the surrounding air, so ventilate greenhouses and conservatories during heatwaves.

Continue feeding only while healthy new growth is visible. If growth slows during extreme heat, reduce watering and pause feeding until milder conditions return.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Aloe vera during spring when it becomes root-bound, unstable or too large for its container. Remove loose, tired compost and replace it with a fresh, free-draining mixture. Choose a new pot that is only moderately larger than the existing one.

Inspect the root system while the plant is out of its pot. Remove dead, hollow or rotten roots using clean snips, then leave any fresh cuts to dry before watering.

Keep the plant at its previous depth unless the profile specifically recommends otherwise. Burying healthy leaves or the growing point can trap moisture and encourage rot.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Weak, stretched or unusually pale growth usually indicates that Aloe vera needs more light. Move it gradually into a brighter position and rotate the pot regularly to encourage balanced development.

Soft leaves, dark stems and sudden collapse are commonly associated with excess moisture, particularly during cold weather. Remove damaged material and allow healthy tissue and compost to dry before watering again.

Check sheltered leaf joints and the root area regularly for mealybug. Treat an infestation promptly and isolate the affected plant while it recovers.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost