The ideal soil to grow aloe vera is a specially formulated soil that mimics their natural growing condition. This means the soil should have remarkable draining properties, medium to low fertility, and neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels.
In this article, we’ll help you formulate your own soil mix for your aloe veras to ensure that you don’t lose those beautiful plants.
But before we get into that, let’s first discuss what makes up good aloe vera soil.
Things to Consider When Choosing Soil for Aloe Vera
Drainage
Since they are desert plants, aloe vera’s soil needs to have excellent draining capabilities. They are not designed to withstand excessive moisture, as they have shallow root systems.
Their thin roots make them more susceptible to root rot if they sit in waterlogged soil for extended periods.
Moreover, their fleshy leaves already help them store water, so too much moisture in the soil is not necessary.
Excessive water on the roots also deprives the roots of oxygen and creates a favorable environment for fungal and bacterial growth. These pathogens can cause diseases in the plant, leading to wilting, discoloration, and overall decline.
Aeration
Aloe vera roots, like those of any other plants, need oxygen to carry out cell respiration, which is a vital process that helps them gain energy.
Without sufficient oxygen, root cells cannot function properly, and the plant may suffer from reduced growth and overall health.
Additionally, good aeration helps prevent soil from becoming compacted and dense. Compacted soil restricts the movement of air into the root zone, leading to root suffocation which can hinder the root’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Proper aeration helps balance moisture levels in the soil. Allowing excess water to drain away helps avoid waterlogging and consequent root rot.
pH Level
Aloe vera thrives in soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels. The ideal range is 7.0 to 8.0, but soils with 6.8 to 8.5 pH won’t bring significant harm to the aloe vera and its roots.
Calcium and potassium can help increase the soil’s pH level, so consider adding materials that are rich in them when the soil is too acidic for the soil.
Limestones are rich in calcium carbonate, so they’re effective in neutralizing soil acidity. Dolomite limes and ground clamshells can also do the same.
Wood ashes and baking soda are rich in potassium and calcium, so they’re also effective in raising pH levels. Just avoid ashes from treated and painted woods, as they can be harmful to the plants.
Fertility
Aloe vera is used to growing in arid environments and can survive in soil with poor conditions. The soil doesn’t need to be highly fertile for the aloe vera to thrive.
In fact, overly fertile soil can bring more harm than good to the plant. Excessive nutrients in the soil may cause stress to the plant and even burn their roots.
Hence, it’s ideal to use soil that has medium to low fertility. Standard and general-purpose potting mixes may contain too many nutrients for the plant, so opt for potting mixes that are specifically made for aloe vera and other succulent plants.
Components of an Aloe Vera Soil
Perlite
Perlites are lightweight volcanic glass that is widely used in gardening because of their ability to improve the quality of soil mixes. They’re tiny, lightweight, and puffy balls that look like little white popcorn that you see in many soil mixes.
Perlites serve as a filter for the soil by allowing excess water to go through it quickly while still maintaining a good amount of nutrients. This prevents water from pooling around the aloe vera’s roots and reduces the risk of root rot.
They create tiny pockets in the soil where oxygen flows freely, helping the roots breathe better and gain as much oxygen as they need.
Coco Coir
Coco coir is another soil amendment that can help improve the soil’s draining capacity, which is essential for aloe vera plants.
It also retains a small amount of water, helping the aloe vera get a constant supply of water without waterlogging. It’s also ideal to use because it’s easy to rehydrate when it gets dry, which is vital, as aloe vera can only be watered when the soil is dry.
Another reason this is great for aloe vera plants is they don’t affect the soil’s pH level and won’t make it too acidic for the plant.
Do not use peat moss as an alternative if you don’t have coco coir. While it can work for other plants, peat moss retains too much moisture for aloe vera.
Peat moss also tends to repel water when it gets dry, which can prevent the moisture from reaching the roots once it’s time to water the plant again.
Coarse Sand
As we’ve said before, aloe vera plants prefer dry soil over constantly wet ones. Adding coarse sand or gravel to the soil mix can help provide their desired soil condition.
Sand creates large spaces between the soil, allowing water to flow freely and preventing water from accumulating around the plant’s roots. This also enhances the soil’s aeration and void root suffocation.
Moreover, they’re great aids in preventing fungal growth, as they help the soil to dry out in between watering sessions.
Just make sure to use sand that isn’t too fine for better drainage.
Orchid Bark
Orchid bark is another material that can help improve the soil’s draining abilities. Like perlite and sand, it creates large pockets that help avoid too much water retention.
It also prevents the soil from compacting, which can interfere with the roots’ growth. When the soil becomes compacted, there won’t be enough space for the root to grow, and it makes nutrient and water absorption challenging for the plant.
Pumice
Pumice is a type of volcanic rock that is known for its porous and lightweight nature. It’s often used as an alternative to perlite, but they can be used together for aloe vera to give the soil better draining properties.
Because of its naturally porous structure, it can help prevent waterlogging and reduce the risk of root rot, which aloe vera plants are very susceptible to.
It also gives the soil a rougher texture, similar to the natural growing conditions of aloe vera plants.
Soil Mix Recipes for Aloe Vera
Recipe 1
- 1 part succulent soil
- 1 part perlite or pumice
- 1 part coco coir
- 1 part sand
This recipe is the most ideal for aloe vera plants, as it’s similar to their natural growing conditions. Succulent soil is specially made to mimic the natural soil of succulent plants like aloe vera, so it’s a great base for the plant’s soil mix.
Perlite or pumice and sand further improve the soil’s overall draining capacity and porosity. The coco coir, on the other hand, will supply the aloe vera with nutrients while also improving its draining capacity.
Recipe 2
- 1 part loam soil
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part pumice
- 1 part coco coir
- 1 part orchid bark
This recipe is for people who do not have access to succulent soil and only have normal loam soil.
Loam soil, although well-draining, retains moisture that’s way more than what aloe vera plants need. By adding perlite, pumice, and orchid bark, you’re increasing the soil’s overall draining abilities and providing a more appropriate soil for the aloe vera.
Coco coir will provide the plants with nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, so additional compost isn’t necessary.
Signs That Aloe Vera Is in the Wrong Soil
Yellowing Leaves
One of the most common indications that your aloe vera plant is in the wrong soil is yellowing leaves.
This is mostly caused by overwatering or too much moisture in the soil. When the soil doesn’t dry before it gets watered again, the plant may suffer from root rot and cause the leaves to turn yellow.
This also happens when the soil gets too compacted. The roots suffer stress from the compaction and can’t absorb nutrients, causing the leaves to weaken and turn yellow.
Stunted Growth
Although aloe veras don’t need a lot of nutrition to survive, they’ll still need small amounts of them to thrive. Their growth rate will likely be affected if they don’t get enough nutrients.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to add fertilizer to the soil. If the plant is unable to absorb nutrients, adding fertilizer won’t be beneficial.
Check first if the soil isn’t compacted or if there’s a sign of root rot. Most often than not, stunted growth is caused by these, as they hinder the plant’s ability to uptake nutrients.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves can be caused by two things: dehydration and overhydration, which are both highly affected by the type of soil you use.
The roots might drown and rot when the soil retains too much moisture. This weakens the plant, causing the leaves to drop.
If this is the case, adding perlite or pumice can help soil drain water quickly.
On the other hand, when the soil dries out way too quickly, the aloe vera may not be able to absorb as much moisture as it needs, leading to a lack of water in its leaves.
Coco coir can help retain moisture, so add a handful of it to your soil to address this issue.
Fungal Infection
Soil that’s constantly damp provides an ideal environment for fungi to grow. Hence, it’s important to make sure that the soil is well-draining and that you’re not frequently watering your aloe vera.
Fungi can attack the aloe vera’s roots and leaves, which can cause significant damage to the plant. Fungus gnats are also likely to appear, leading to a bigger problem.
Once you notice powdery mildew in the aloe vera’s leaves, then fungi are likely growing in your plant already. Immediately prune the infected part to stop the infection from spreading.
