Growing Aloe Vera Outdoors: Zones, Sun, Soil and Flowers

Aloe vera can live in the garden year-round only in the warmest parts of the US: zones 8 to 11 by UF/IFAS, or zone 10 and up by NC State. Everywhere else it is a pot plant that spends summer outside. Penn State says it is not frost tolerant and should be brought in before frost. Outdoors it wants full sun to partial shade and a coarse, fast-draining soil. This page covers aloe in the landscape and its flowers; for indoor care, see How To Grow Houseplants.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Soak when dry; less in winter

Lifecycle

Perennial

Origin

Africa

Container friendly

Yes

USDA zones (outdoors)

8–11 (UF/IFAS) or 10+ (NC State)

Soil

Very well drained, coarse mix

Size

About 2–3 ft tall (sources differ)

Flowers

Red or yellow-orange, mature plants only

Zones: can it stay outside?

Our two sources give different limits. NC State describes aloe as an outdoor perennial in zones 10 and up. UF/IFAS says plants can be grown outside year-round in zones 8 to 11. If you are in zone 8 or 9, our cautious reading is to plant it in the ground only in a sheltered spot, or keep it in a pot. Penn State’s advice for everyone else is to move aloe outdoors in summer and bring it in before frost.

Sun and the summer move

NC State says to grow aloe in full sun to partial shade in very well-drained soils suitable for succulents. A plant that has lived on a windowsill is not ready for that. UF/IFAS says to make the move gradual, because the plant can sunburn when moved from low to bright light too quickly. Increase the light in stages rather than all at once.

Soil and planting

Penn State says aloe prefers a coarse, well-draining mix, and gives a recipe of one part potting soil, one part sand and one part perlite or lava rock. UF/IFAS says aloe can be grown in any well-drained quality potting media. In a garden bed the same principle applies: add coarse grit or plant on a slope or raised bed rather than in heavy, wet ground.

Watering

All three sources agree on the principle (never let the plant sit in water) and differ on the trigger.

Penn State says aloes are extremely drought tolerant and susceptible to root rot, and UF/IFAS says it is best to err on the side of underwatering. Outdoors, rain does some of the work for you, so check the soil before you add water.

Size and offsets

NC State gives 2 to 3 feet tall, spreading by offsets; UF/IFAS and Penn State give about 2 feet or a little over. Offsets, also called pups, are how aloe multiplies. NC State and Penn State say they can be removed from the mother plant and transplanted into another pot.

Flowers

Aloe flowers only when it is mature. NC State says the flowers are red or yellow-orange, and Penn State says a plant blooms multiple times in its lifetime. UF/IFAS says aloe rarely blooms indoors, so a plant that spends its summers in bright light outside has a better chance.

Aloe in pots

Many gardeners keep aloe in a container that moves in and out. Penn State says to use a pot with large drainage holes and to repot every two years into a pot one size larger. UF/IFAS says not to increase the pot by more than two sizes, because a container that is too large holds too much moisture and can lead to root rot, and that clay is best.

Common aloe problems

Pets

The ASPCA lists aloe as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and gives vomiting (not in horses), lethargy and diarrhea as the clinical signs. Keep pots where pets cannot chew the leaves.

Pair it with other desert plants

Aloe grows well beside other sun-loving, fast-draining plants. Our succulent care guide lists aloe among the general succulents, and the desert rose shares its pot-in-summer, indoors-in-winter routine. Browse the full desert plants collection.