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Aloe plants have existed for many years and have continued to be grown as ornamental and homeopathic plants.
Aloe plants are also called Wonder Plants, and several of their species produce a gel used as body lotion or used in pills for health purposes. Unfortunately, aloe plants can be tricky to grow, including choosing suitable pots.
When it comes to choosing the best pots for aloe plants, you have to consider the size of the plant, choose a pot with a well-drainage system, consider the materials the pot is built with, and the pot’s weight and soil porosity.
An essential part is selecting a large and deeper pot, adequately maintained, not so heavy and rusty, amongst other considerations.
Here, you will learn everything you need to know before deciding on which pots will be the best for your aloe plants!
Table of Contents
What Are Aloe Plants?
Also known as "wonder plants," the Aloe Plants are dwarf-stemmed shrubs and a genus consisting of over 500 species of succulent flowering plants. Significantly native to North American regions, their leaves are succulent, straight, and form a dense rosette.
The most common species of aloe plants, the aloe vera, has been the subject of substantial scientific research for the past few years concerning many therapeutic features.
As a result, most aloe varieties can be used for many herbal remedies and are often used to make creams, lotions, and food supplements.
(Read my article that shows you how to save a dying aloe plants if you suspect they're not healthy)
What Is the Best Pot for Aloe Plants?
If you want to get the best out of your aloe plants, then the perfect pot for them should be terracotta or ceramic pots about 2 inches wider than the size of the aloe plants.
The size of the pot should be proportional to the size of the aloe vera to enable the soil to dry out between watering to avoid root rot and enhance the growth of the new ones. Again, aloe plants thrive in small pots with a well-drainage system.
Things to Consider in Choosing the Best Pots for Aloe Plants
It would help if you considered certain things when you want to choose the best pots for aloe plants. For instance, the size of the pot matters a lot.
You should also find a pot with a well-drainage system and several others. Let us highlight the most common considerations in choosing the best pots for aloe plants.
1. Size of the Pot
Since aloe plants are succulent species, they need smaller pots. Small pots are better because your plant’s root will consume about ⅔ of the pot.
However, finding a larger pot would be unnecessary since your aloe plants need less soil; hence, they do better in smaller and tighter pots.
Again, if you use colossal soil for the plant, it will take a longer time to dry, thus causing the plant to be overwatered, which will result in root rot. On the other hand, picking a pot that fits its roots more tightly will protect your aloe plant from clogged with water.
(Read my article that teaches you how to know if aloe plant is overwatered or underwatered)
2. Depth of the Pot
Aloe plants have a unique root system that grows horizontally and stays shallow. In other words, they do not require pots that are deeper than their width. Therefore, finding a larger pot rather than a deeper one would be best.
Choosing a deeper pot will prevent the aloe plant roots from reaching the bottom of the pot, making the soil remain unutilized and causing water to stay underneath, causing root rot.
3. Drainage
Another essential thing to consider when choosing a pot for your aloe plant is the drainage system. Ensure that your pot features a proper drainage system to prevent water from building up and causing root rot.
Therefore, drainage holes underneath the pot are essential to allow extra water to drain out, preventing overwatering.
4. Type of Pot
In considering the type of pot for your aloe plants, you must take note of the climate and where you reside, as it will determine the material of your pot.
For example, if you live in a high-temperature environment and a low humid condition, the best pot for your aloe plant should be plastic. But if you are staying in a cooler or humid climate, you can go for the clay terracotta pot because they ensure better drainage.
Let’s quickly look at the various conditions that come with using the different kinds of the pot above;
Best Material For Aloe Vera Pots
1. Plastic Pots
Aloe plants are commonly light and succulent. Therefore, the plastic pots are flexible and will allow you to move things around effortlessly.
However, it will require a change of position in the summer when it needs extra sunlight. During the winter, you can take the plant indoors for protection and favorable health condition.
2. Terracotta Pots
A terracotta pot will protect your plant’s root from getting damp and prevent it from excessive rust and bacteria. These pots come in several dimensions, which you can pick from any store close to you. In addition, a terracotta pot makes your plant look beautiful inside of it.
It will give the roots more room to breathe and grow well. It will also help remove mineral deposits in the soil or water. However, one of the few disadvantages of the terracotta pot is its tendency to decay in a few years, as it is always wet.
Still, there’s nothing to worry about since aloes need a small quantity of water.
3. Ceramic Pots
The ceramic pots typically come with a cover of water-resistant coat, thus making them invulnerable to water damage.
The primary characteristic of these pots is that they feature good drainage, which helps your aloe plants to grow healthy. Another exciting thing to watch out for as long as the ceramic pots are concerned is their unique designs.
Key Takeaways
- Pick the perfect pot size for your Aloe plant since it will considerably impact its watering, soil, and fertilizer requirements.
- You can also choose a pot that will not be too large to occupy your garden or too small to the extent of getting lost in the background.
- If the Aloe plant is not growing in its required pot, it will not get adequate moisture, thus leading to problems such as root rot, droopy leaves, or even yellowing leaves.
- Make sure that the pot you choose must prevent the plant from drying out and also be able to provide it with proper drainage since it will prevent the plant from absorbing excess water.
- When picking a pot, go for the one that features at least one sound drainage hole to enable proper water drainage from the soil. However, expert gardeners have recommended that we go for pots with more drainage holes.
- You should abstain from using a glazed or plastic pot for aloe plants, as it tends to retain more moisture, which you should be wary of as a beginner of aloe plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Aloe plants require big pots?
No, aloe plants do not need larger pots, as their roots like staying more compact. Smaller pots and containers with holes that drain well are ideal.
Are ceramic pots suitable for Aloe plants?
The ceramic pots are perfect if you want the best out of your aloe plants. They feature holes through which water can drain out, thus protecting the plant from root rot.
What Should an Aloe Plant be potted in?
Since the aloe plants are succulents, the best mix should be a well-draining potting mix like those made for cacti and succulents. Avoid using gardening soil. A proper combination should consist of perlite, lava rock, chunks of bark, or all three.
Do Aloe Plants need big Pots?
For the maximum growth of your aloe plant, choose a pot that is up to 3 to 6 inches wide and 2 to 4 inches high. Since they thrive in small pots with a proper draining system, you can use ceramic pots with adequate drainage holes to enhance effective drainage and, at the same time, prevent root rot.
Do Aloe Plants require deep pots?
Aloes need pots with a proper drainage system like orchid pots, as it will help prevent root rot. You can go for a small four or 5-inch pot for a start because the aloe plants thrive best in small pots with adequate drainage systems.
How deep should my aloe plant be?
Like several other cacti and succulents, the Aloe plant doesn’t require a very deep pot to grow in. Therefore, 17 inches is sufficient enough depth for your plant to grow. Sometimes, it could even be too deep, considering its potential to retain excess moisture.
Can Aloe Plants grow in regular potting soil?
Aloes are succulent plants; hence thrive in dry conditions. So, you can go for a cactus potting mix. If you insist on using regular potting soil, it should have been corrected with extra perlite or building sand, ensuring that the pot has enough drainage holes.
How big can an aloe plant get?
Aloe plants can grow rather large. Its maximum growth level is around 3 feet tall, but average growth should be one or two feet tall. An aloe plant is widely known for its elongated, spiny leaves that shoot out from the middle, thus giving the plant a dramatic height.
