Does Aloe Vera Grow Better in Sand or Soil?

Sandy Soils

• Aloe vera plants grow best in slightly sandy or gravelly soils, though they will do well in virtually any soil composition as long as it is well-drained. The Kew Royal Botanical Gardens notes that aloe vera is often found thriving in rocky, exposed soils of arid desert regions, and in cultivation it does best in well-draining, gritty soil mixtures. Aloe vera plants are known for their ability to flourish in poor quality and even salty soils, so long as they drain water properly. Prepackaged cactus potting soil mix or one fortified with coarse sand, granite grit or perlite is recommended for home cultivation.

Water Requirements

• The soils surrounding aloe vera plants should be soaked thoroughly, then allowed to dry out between waterings during the growing season, the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens notes. As a succulent that has adapted to the dry environments of the world, aloe vera is capable of storing much more water than it needs throughout the year. Aloe vera is more often harmed by a gardener over-watering it rather than suffering from drought.

Sunlight Requirements

• Aloe vera is as easy to grow indoors as a potted plant as it is to grow in a permanent location outside, so long as it receives enough sunlight. A. barbadensis requires full sun, though it tolerates partial shade, to thrive and produce young succulents, known as "pups." West- or south-facing windows are best for indoor aloe vera plants, while outdoor specimens do best in open spaces where sunlight can reach them unimpeded.

Sized to Suit You

• Like many succulents used as potted plants to decorate homes and offices, aloe vera will thrive in confining pots, as it will only grow in proportion to how much space its roots have available. Aloe vera plants spread outwards through a series of underground rhizomes, and they can survive virtually unchanged in potted mediums for several years. If you choose to confine your aloe vera plants to pots, you need only replant them every couple of years into slightly larger pots to renew the soil and give your plants just a little room to grow.