What Soil is Used for Aloe Vera?: With DIY Soil and Tips and Tricks

What Soil is Used for Aloe Vera, is a very frequently asked question as Aloe Vera is a very often grown plant both indoors and outdoors. Aloe Vera is a succulent that is a great indoor companion with a unique and attractive appearance, and it is easy to maintain. Aloe has multiple uses such as decoratives and medicinal powers which relieve pains from burns and whole plants can be used for it.  

Aloe is easy to grow both indoors and outdoors with the right selection of soil. The right soil for aloe is sandy which will help nourish, retain moisture and thrive.

In this article, you will learn more about Aloe Vera soil, its components, mix, and DIY soil to make on your own.

What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera is a cactus-like plant from the plant species aloe. Aloe Vera grows in hot and dry climates. Aloe Vera plants have leaves that store water in them. The leaves are thick, green, and fleshy. Aloe Vera is like a well-draining sandy soil with regular water. 

The soil for Aloe Vera should be fluffy and well-aerated. The pot for Aloe Vera is made from clay sand for it to grow well with a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Aloe likes shady sunlight and light moisture to grow the best.

Aloe Vera has many medicinal benefits to treat baldness, wounds, digestive issues, and many others. Now, it is majorly used for cosmetics and personal care products. Aloe is produced in many tropical regions such as Texas, New Mexico, California, and Arizona. The Aloe Vera gel or later when consumed directly by mouth can cause bad symptoms and is toxic to health.

Types of Aloe Vera Plants

There are more than 500 species of aloe in the world. Here are some of the types of aloe plants:

• Aloe Barbadensis– The scientific name for Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is a well-known member of the aloe genus. The word la vera means the true one. It is a medicinal aloe, and a common houseplant. Their leaves contain anti-inflammatory properties. The leaves of the plant grow about 30 inches tall. 
• Aloe Aristata– The lace aloe is known for its small size and thin leaves. They grow up to 15 cm tall and produce orange flowers. The dark leaves are thick and spotted in white with spikey teeth edges. They thrive in desert regions. They have no health benefits and are poisonous. 
• Aloe Polyphylla– Spiral aloe is known for its attractive structure and shape. This aloe is from south Africa. Its leaves are arranged in a way to form a spiral. Aloe has sharp-edged leaves and is not suitable for consumption or any purpose like Aloe Vera.

Can I Use Any Soil for Aloe Vera?

No, you can’t use any soil for Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is a succulent plant so succulent soil is best for aloe. One should avoid garden soil in any situation as it does not have the right drainage for aloe. Also, avoid peat soil as it breaks the plant with too much draining of water. Potting soil which is used for other plants can’t be directly used for aloe. Special potting mix for cacti and succulents should be used for Aloe Vera. Using soil that gives the right drainage, is gritty, and well-aerated is the best soil for Aloe Vera.

What is the Soil pH for Aloe Vera?

The ideal soil pH for Aloe Vera ranges from 6.5 to 8.0. Aloe Vera survives in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Since Aloe Vera is adaptable it survives in both. Any soil which is higher than 7 is alkaline and less than 7 is acidic. You can opt for a pH test with the soil test. Finishing the pH, amending the soil, and providing the sunlight according to it will help the Aloe Vera. 

What are the Components of the Perfect Aloe Vera Soil?

These are the components of the perfect Aloe Vera soil, 

• Soil Composition– The compositions in soil play a significant role in the growth of the Aloe Vera plant. Adding elements such as compost, pumice, perlite, and sand helps in maintaining the pH of the soil and makes the soil healthy.
• Spacing– Providing the right space for the plant according to size is a must. Placing a small Aloe Vera in a large plant will destroy the plant. The pot will retain more water than the plant may need.
• Good drainage– Good drainage is essential in Aloe Vera plant soil. As said above, the pot needs a drainage hole for drainage. Water sitting in the pot may lead to fungal disease and destroy the root. The aloe root easily dies out of excess water in the soil as it can’t stand too much water. Adding coco coir or pebbles with soil will help solve the problem.
• Proper aeration– Aloe Vera soil should have good aeration. As they love dry and light soil to get the proper aeration, giving that will help them grow. Providing extra aeration to soil weekly will be good for the Aloe Vera.

Did you know? 

According to NCCIH, Clinical research suggests that topical application of an aloe-based gel twice daily may improve acne.

Aloe Vera is made of 99.5% water and 0.5% portions are active nutrients.

What Soil is Used for Aloe Vera?

The best kind of soil for Aloe Vera is nutrients and organic matter-rich sandy soil. Potting mix can be used to grow aloe but the nutrient, minerals, and pH should be checked before planting soil. 

Cactus or succulent soil is best for Aloe Vera. But making soil for Aloe Vera on your own is easy and is all organic soil. 

The best soil for Aloe Vera should contain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and potassium to make it well-drained soil.

How to Prepare Potting Soil for Aloe Vera?

To prepare the potting soil for Aloe Vera, add one  part of the mineral to one part of the potting soil. Depending on the clay in potting soil, add one or two parts of coarse sand to it to improve the texture. This sand will help to make better aeration. You can add perlite (volcanic rock) or gravel or marbles to increase the drainage of the soil.

The preparation of potting soil for Aloe Vera is easy and not pricey. Succulent soils are quite opposite to potting soil. Potting soil loves to hold moisture but having that for succulents might be a wrong idea. Adding potting soil directly for succulents makes the root of succulents rot. But adding the minerals and mending the soil to improve drainage and aeration will make the potting soil doable. 

What is a Natural Soil Mix for Aloe Vera?

The natural soil mix for Aloe Vera is 1/2 organic matter and 1/2 mineral matter in the soil. 

• Organic matter includes soil, compost, bark, coir, moss, and plant waste such as lawn clipping, leaves, stems, and branches. 
• Mineral matters are rocks, sand, gravel, marble, and charcoal.

Soil is made up of organic and mineral matter. Aloe Vera soil is also made of a combination of organic and mineral matter in equal ratios. Adding one part of organic matter and one part of mineral matter from the above-mentioned content makes the best natural soil mix for the Aloe Vera plants.

Organic matter such as potting mix and compost helps in the selection of soil texture and nutrients for plants. Mineral matters such as perlite and gravel help the soil with drainage. With this, the soil will have a loose texture and a breathable place for the plants.

Aloe Vera soil should have a loose grainy texture for water drainage. Adding equal mineral and organic matter helps aloe plants to thrive. 

DIY Tips to Make Aloe Vera Soil at Home (Complete guide)

DIY is a new hobby. Making your mix takes time and involvement but gives the satisfaction and knowledge of knowing more about the soil. This all-purpose recipe is used for both indoor and outdoor Aloe Vera plants. Start making the DIY with the below-given ingredients and follow up,

Tools

• Gear up with gloves to avoid the dirt from the soil
• Measuring cup or instrument to measure the ingredients.
• Bucket or vessel to make space to mix the soil
• A small shovel/ Trowel to mix the soil

Ingredients

Mineral matters

• Coarse sand– The coarse sand is added to give a loose texture to the soil. The sand is added to reduce the clay content in the soil.
• Volcanic rocks– These are rocks from volcanic lava. The rock contains many minerals which help in plant growth.
• Gravel– Gravel is rock fragments that are formed from the breakdown of rock. They are used in decorative and to provide aeration to the soil.
• Coal– charcoal is added to soil to improve drainage. They also have antifungal property which helps the succulents.
• Vermiculite– Vermiculite is added to soil to aerate it and also to retain moisture and nutrient in it.

Organic matters

• Potting soil– The potting mix with the soil makes the potting soil. Potting mix has peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and many others. 
• Perlite– perlite is formed from volcanic emission. They make the best aeration for the succulent soil.
• Pumice– Formed from volcanoes when they erupted explosively. The liquid explosion is formed to pumice rock making the aeration for the soil.
• Coconut Coir– The coconut fiber is an all-rounder made from coconut husk used for many purposes. They are used in soil to improve soil texture, drainage, and aeration.
• Compost– Compost is a mixture of organic waste formed and added to soil to enrich it. 
• Manure– Manure is a natural source of nutrients to the soil. It is made from decomposed plant and animal waste.

Recipe

My recipes for the best succulent soil,

Recipe 1

2 Part Organic matter 

2 Part mineral matters

Recipe 2

2 Part sand

1 Part manure

1 Part leaves or barks

Follow-up

Add the measured ingredients to the vessel with the help of a shovel, after collecting all of them and add two parts minerals such as sand first and mix it well so both are mixed. Add two mineral matter of your choice to it and mix all well to make the best soil for your Aloe Vera plant.  

For the second recipe, Add two parts sand to one part manure and 1 park leaf or bark and mix to make the soil.

Where to Buy Soil for Aloe Vera?

Soil for Aloe Vera can be bought in a nearby commercial store or online. Store-bought soil is ready-made to use but has fertilizers. Online, you can make your choice based on your research with the review, rating, and the right mix mentioned in the label. With whatever way of buying the soil, adding some soil conditioner like pumice will help for the betterment of the plant as well the soil.

3 Best Commercial Brands to buy Soil for Aloe Vera

Scotts Miracle-Gro

The miracle-gro succulent potting mix is best for indoor plants such as aloe and succulents. They are very light and drain fast. The mix contains peat moss, fertilizers, and other products. The product is certified by the mulch and soil council for the standard. Adding perlite and decoratives to the pot with this mix is required to grow the succulents. Miracle-gro gives value-for-money products at a reasonable rate with premium quality. They also provide various other types of potting mixes, all-purpose soil, and fertilizers at affordable prices.

Hoffman 

The Hoffman organic cactus and succulent soil mix are specially formulated to provide proper drainage for the Aloe Vera plant. It is a blend of sphagnum moss, sand, pertile, peat, and limestone. Since peat is not good for succulents, limestone helps in reducing the acidity of the soil. These are ready-to-use mixed with direct-to-use mentioned in the product label. They also give tips on feeding, light, and repotting.

Espoma 

The espoma organic cactus mix contains moss, perlite, limestone, and Myco-tone. This one is best for Aloe Vera. The mix is lightweight, limestone balances the pH level and  Myco-tone prevents fungal infection. They provide the direction for planting labels. It also contains growing tips and ingredients in the soil.

Tips and Tricks to Grow Aloe Vera

• Watering Aloe Vera deeply and letting it dry will make the plant grow fast.
• Before planting aloe, add some gravel or pebbles to the pot in a low layer to give better drainage for the soil.
• Aloe does best in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Giving your aloe sun bath for at least 5 hours will make the plant thrive.
• Aloe is best for use as a decorative pest. To avoid it, add neem powder or neem oil mix to the soil.

Signs that Aloe Vera is in the Wrong Soil

Aloe Vera will show certain signs when the soil mix is wrong. Some of which are:

• Yellow leaf– The cause of yellow leaf is too much drainage in the soil. Add perlite or pumice to regain moisture to the ground.
• Brown Leaf tip– This could be a sign of underwatering or too dry soil so that water is not available to the soil.
• Dry leaves– This sign is for the dehydration of plants. Providing enough water will solve this issue.
•  Dropping leaf– This could be the reason for the root infection or fungal attack in the root. Keeping a check on soil for any fungal will help prevent the problem.

Final Words

Soil plays an important role in agriculture’s success. It may be complicated at first to make your soil for your aloe plant but with the right guidance, you can make it possible. After reading this article, you will be able to do your own DIY with clarity about both aloe and soil for it. Keep a constant check on the soil and plant with practice you can master everything about the plant and soil.

FAQs

1. Should Aloe Vera soil be loose?

Yes, soil for Aloe Vera should be loose and grainy making better drainage for the soil.

2. How often do you change Aloe Vera soil?

The Aloe plant needs an oil change every 2 years once.

3. What are the best pots for aloe plants?

The best pot for the Aloe Vera plant is terracotta with drainage holes in the base.

4. How often should aloe be watered?

Watering once per week is a must. If the soil is too dry then, twice a week is good.