How to Water Aloe Plants for Healthy Growth

How to water

All of the soil should be dry before watering again. If the soil is still moist, you risk giving your Aloe too much water which can make it start to rot. There are several ways to water Aloe plants - they aren’t very picky. Choose a way that suits you the best.

If the soil is moist - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

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Water over the soil

Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap
Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes
If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water
If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

When you water your Aloe, water well and then allow the soil to dry out completely before you water it again.
— Planta tip

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Bottom watering

Fill the plant tray with water
Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray
Wait for about 10 minutes
Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray
If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray
Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water
Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water
The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped
Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off
Put your Aloe back in the cachepot or on the tray
After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

Like other succulents, it’s much easier to kill an Aloe with overwatering than with underwatering, and it’s definitely easier to save an underwatered Aloe than the opposite.
— Planta tip

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

When should I water my Aloe plant?

You should water your Aloe plant only when all of the soil is completely dry. Waiting for the soil to dry out prevents overwatering and the risk of rot.

What is bottom watering for Aloe plants?

Bottom watering involves filling the plant's tray with water and allowing the soil to absorb it from below. After about 10 minutes, check the soil moisture and add more water if needed, waiting another 20 minutes before removing any excess.

What is a water bath for Aloe plants?

A water bath involves immersing the whole pot, up to the stem of the plant, in a bucket of lukewarm water. Wait until bubbling stops, then lift the pot to let excess water drain before returning it to its spot.

Is overwatering or underwatering worse for an Aloe?

It is much easier to kill an Aloe plant with overwatering than with underwatering. Saving an underwatered Aloe is typically easier than saving one that has been overwatered.

Why should I sometimes water my Aloe from the top if I usually bottom water?

Bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. Therefore, you should occasionally water over the soil to flush these out.

How to water an Aloe plant from the top

Pour water over the soil, using a watering can or by placing the plant directly under a tap.

Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.

If you have a tray under the pot, make sure you remove all collected water afterwards, never letting your plant sit in water.

If you watered under a tap, ensure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting the plant back.

Allow the soil to dry out completely before you water your Aloe again.