How to grow Aloe Vera in Australia
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a tough, clumping succulent with thick, fleshy leaves full of clear gel. It wants sun, sharp drainage and very little water, and it is frost tender. Grow it in the ground in frost-free gardens, or in a pot anywhere you can move it under cover for winter.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Aloe Vera in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to March | Plant offsets Sep to Mar. Cold wet winter soil rots new plants and western Sydney frosts scar the leaves, so use a pot or a spot under the eaves. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar in a sunny, well drained spot or a pot. Melbourne frosts run roughly mid May to mid September and damage the leaves, so move pots under cover for winter. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar in a sunny, well drained spot or a pot. Frosts from June to late August, worst in the Hills, damage the leaves, so shelter plants or move pots under cover for winter. |
| Perth & WA | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar in a sunny, sharply drained spot or a pot. Cold wet winter soil rots new plants, so hold off planting from April to August. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable outdoors. Frost turns aloe to mush. Sunny windowsill pot only. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable outdoors; frost destroys plants. Grow in a pot and move under cover for winter. |
| North Queensland | All year | |
| Darwin & Top End | All year |
Where to plant
Give aloe vera full sun to part shade and soil that drains fast. It copes with sand, loam and a wide range of pH, but it rots in soil that stays wet, so in heavy clay grow it in a raised bed or a pot of cactus and succulent mix. A plant moved from shade straight into hot sun can scorch, so harden it off over a couple of weeks.
It grows outdoors all year in frost-free gardens in South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, North Queensland and Darwin, provided the drainage copes with summer or wet-season downpours.
- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: plant from September to March in a sunny, well-drained spot or a pot. Cold, wet winter soil rots new plants, and frost scars the leaves, so shelter plants under the eaves or move pots under cover for winter.
- Canberra and Hobart: grow it in a pot and keep it indoors on a sunny windowsill or under cover through winter, as frost kills it outdoors.
How to plant
- Start with a potted plant or an offset (pup) taken from the base of an older plant.
- Fill a pot with cactus and succulent mix, or improve a garden spot with coarse sand or gravel so it drains freely.
- Plant at the same depth it was growing, firm it in and water once.
- Wait until the soil has dried out before watering again, and keep it on the dry side for the first few weeks while roots form.
Watering and feeding
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely before the next drink. In warm weather that may be every week or two for a pot; in winter water much less, or not at all for plants in the ground in rainy areas. Overwatering is the most common way aloe vera dies.
It needs little feeding. A light dose of a balanced or succulent fertiliser in spring is plenty.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove offsets once they have a few leaves of their own, to pot up or give away, or leave them to form a clump.
- Pull off dead outer leaves at the base.
- Repot when the clump fills the pot, using fresh cactus mix.
- Mature plants, usually three years or older, send up tall spikes of tubular orange to yellow flowers that open from the bottom up.
Harvesting
Cut a thick outer leaf close to the base with a clean knife whenever you need some, leaving the younger centre leaves to grow. Stand the cut leaf upright for a few minutes so the yellow sap drains away, then slice it open and scoop out the clear gel. Wrapped cut leaves keep for a few days in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Aloe vera is one of the easiest plants to keep in a pot. Use a pot at least 25 cm wide with drainage holes, a cactus and succulent mix, and a sunny position. Terracotta helps the mix dry out between waterings. Never leave the pot standing in a saucer of water.
Using it
- The clear gel is used on the skin, for example on minor sunburn. Test a small patch first, as some people react to it.
- The yellow sap (latex) just under the skin of the leaf is a strong laxative and irritates the skin, so drain it off and do not eat the leaves.
- Aloe vera is mildly toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten, so keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
Propagating from offsets
Offsets are the simplest way to make new plants. Ease a pup away from the parent with some roots attached, let any broken surface dry for a day or two, then pot it into cactus mix and keep it barely moist until it is growing.
Varieties
- Common Aloe Vera
Companion planting
Aloe vera grows best beside plants that share its love of sun, sharp drainage and dry soil.
Good companions
- Succulents Need the same gritty soil and occasional deep watering.
- Herbs Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme like the same sunny, dry, free-draining spot.
Pests and diseases
Aloe vera has few problems in dry, sunny conditions. Most trouble comes from too much water.
Pests to watch for
- Mealybug White, cottony tufts in the leaf bases and on the roots.
- Scale Small brown or grey bumps on the leaves that scrape off.
Diseases to watch for
Common questions
Can aloe vera grow outside in Australia?
Yes, in frost-free areas with free-draining soil, such as South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, the tropics and frost-free coastal gardens. In frosty areas such as Canberra and Hobart, grow it in a pot and move it under cover for winter.
How often should I water aloe vera?
Only when the soil has dried out completely. Give it a thorough soak, then wait. That might be every week or two in summer in a pot, and much less in winter. Overwatering causes root rot, the most common cause of death.
Why is my aloe vera turning brown or red?
Red or brown tints usually mean stress from strong sun after the plant was in shade, cold, or too little water. Soft, brown, mushy leaves mean rot from too much water or frost. Move it to gentler light while it adjusts, and let the soil dry out.
How do I propagate aloe vera?
Separate the pups that grow around the base of the plant, with some roots attached. Let them dry for a day or two, then pot them into cactus and succulent mix and water sparingly until they grow.
Is aloe vera poisonous to pets?
It is mildly toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten, causing stomach upsets. The yellow sap under the leaf skin is a laxative and can irritate skin.
Can you eat aloe vera from the garden?
We do not recommend eating home-grown leaves. The yellow sap just under the skin is a strong laxative. Use the clear gel on the skin instead, after testing a small patch.
Sources we checked: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Aloe vera; NCCIH: Aloe vera, usefulness and safety; Diggers Club: Aloe vera; Better Homes and Gardens: How to plant and grow aloe vera.