Can Aloe Plants Survive Winter?

Deadly Frost

• Most aloes, including aloe vera (Aloe barbadiensis), will not survive freezing and are killed by even light frosts. It is best to assume that your aloe is frost tender. Bring potted aloes indoors long before the first frosts and keep them in a room with minimum temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not let their leaves touch cold window glass as this burns the leaves.

Winter Care

• Succulent aloes are very vulnerable to overwatering and rotting in cool, damp conditions. Keep aloe soil barely moist during the winter, aiming to provide just enough water to prevent the leaves from shrivelling. Do not water the aloe plant from above and keep the leaves dry at all times. Keep your aloe in the brightest spot in the home. A south-facing windowsill is ideal.

Hardy Aloes

• Some species of aloe, such as Aloe aristata, Aloe polyphylla and Aloe striatula, grow naturally at high altitudes and can survive frost. Floridata's Steve Christman reports that the soap aloe (Aloe saponaria) will recover fast after hard freezes in Florida.

Freeze Protection

• Even aloes that are frost tolerant can be damaged by strong frosts. Outdoor aloes must be grown in free-draining or stony soil, preferably on a south facing slope, to maximize water runoff and sun exposure. Protect them during frosty night by draping them with a frost cloth.