At this point, pretty much everyone has needed aloe vera at some point or the other. So, it’s safe to assume that most people know what it is.  For those who don’t, aloe vera is gel from the leaves of aloe plants.

For thousands of years, it has popularly been used for healing, soothing, and softening the skin. Aloe vera has also long been a favorite treatment for many maladies, including constipation and oral health. Yes, the benefits of the plant’s gel are quite popular, but did you know that the plant itself is quite easy to grow and keep?

Here are the steps to growing and caring for an aloe vera plant at home, and the benefits of owning one.

First things first, plant them in a cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting soil that has been amended with additional perlite or building sand. Also, make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.

Next, ensure the plant has proper light. Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in front of windows that get direct sunlight.

Make sure to water the plant properly. The most common reason an aloe plant dies is that it’s watered too often, so, be sure to let the soil of the aloe vera plant completely dry before being watered. When the aloe plant is watered, the soil should be thoroughly drenched, but the water should be allowed to drain freely from the soil.

Aloes generally don’t need to be fertilized. But, if you decide to add fertilizing as part of your care routine, aloe vera plants should be fertilized once a year in the spring. You can use a phosphorus-heavy, water-based fertilizer at half strength.

Aloe vera plants grown indoors could take 3-4 years to grow from a pup to a full-grown plant with mature leaves of around 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in length. To encourage fast growth, make preparations before planting, ensure you're providing optimal care, and boost the growth rate with fertilizer.

Growing aloe vera houseplants is very easy. Not only do they make excellent houseplants, but they also supply you and your family with a plant that can fight skin-aging, reduce infections and acne, and help treat minor burns and rashes. Now that you know a little more about how to plant and care for an aloe vera plant, you need never be without this lovely and helpful plant.