Does your aloe seem like it hasn’t grown for years? This is what I thought when I first started growing aloe plants.
Since then, I have propagated dozens of aloe plants (from off-setts) to give away to friends, and I even cultivated many for sale in my job at a garden center. I have also learned some tricks of the trade to increase the rate of growth!
I must warn you that aloe plants grow fairly slowly by nature compared to most houseplants. This is a method of coping with drought in their arid natural habitat.
In this post, I’ll share everything I’ve learned and my tips for increasing the rate of growth and the number of off-setts growing off the main plant.
If it is growing in optimal conditions, aloe vera grows to a height and width of around 24 inches. Here is my 2 sentence explanation as to why our aloe vera is growing slowly”
Aloe Vera stops growing during Summer in temperatures in excess of 80°F as a strategy to conserve water in times of drought. The optimal temperature range for aloe vera to grow is between 55°F-80°F. Aloe vera stops growing in Winter in reaction to fewer hours of light and lower light intensity.
In most climates, aloe vera grows at a faster rate during the Spring and Fall when the temperature is optimal.
There are several reasons why aloe vera may not be growing, which I have summarized in this table…
| Conditions: | Reasons for Aloe Vera not Growing: |
|---|---|
| Summer Dormancy. | Aloe Vera goes into a state of dormancy and stops growing during Summer when exposed to high temperatures as a survival strategy to conserve water. |
| Lack of Sun. | Aloe Vera grows more when in some direct sun. Too much shade can slow down its growth to the point it appears to be not growing. |
| Too Much Moisture around the roots. | Aloe Vera requires the soil to dry out between bouts of watering. Too much moisture, caused by overwatering or slow-draining soils causes stress which can stop aloe from growing. |
| Grows slower in Winter. | Aloe Vera can stop growing in Winter as a reaction to fewer hours of light and lower light intensity. |
| Cool Temperatures. | The optimal growing temperatures for Aloe Vera are between 55°F-80°F (13°C-27°C). Any cooler can slow growth and any hotter can trigger a phase of Summer dormancy and the aloe stops growing. |
| Larger pots. | If the aloe is planted in a pot significantly larger than the root ball the plant can redirect its energy in growing and establishing its roots and the leaves tend to grow slowly at first. |
Aloe Vera Stops Growing in the Summer to Conserve Water
So I think for us to undertsand why our plants are not growing as fast as we would like, we need to learn how they grow in the wild…
Aloe Vera is a succulent that is native to the Arabian peninsula in countries like Oman where they grow in desert conditions with lots of sun and particularly high temperatures.
Aloe Vera is adapted to growing in drought-like conditions and climates with high temperatures by:
- Storing water in its thick, fleshy leaves.
- Opening its stomata at night (per research from the Oxford Journal of Experimental Botany) rather than in the hotter and dryer daytime to reduce transpiration (water loss) from the leaves. (I think this is a really clever adaptation, don’t you?)
- Slowing its growth in Summer to reduce its demand for water during high temperatures.
So what is a plant to do if the temperatures are high and there is no rainfall? Aloe Veras key survival strategy for surviving in high temperatures with infrequent rainfall is to go into a state of dormancy in Summer.
During Summer our Aloe Vera stops growing so that it can lower its requirements for water and endure high temperatures without drying up.
This allows our Aloe Vera to grow in particularly hot and dry conditions that are too hostile for other types of plants and succulents.
It is because of this adaptation of Summer dormancy that Aloe Vera can appear to stop growing in your home or garden during Summer with prolonged high temperatures. I have experienced this myself. My other plants that I love, (monstera and pothos) always grow so quickly in Summer I am having to prune and propagate them to keep them tame!
I can assure you that this is a natural cycle of growth and dormancy for Aloe Vera plants and it does not mean the Aloe Vera is under any kind of undue stress.
When this happens, I start to notice my Aloe Vera resuming growth in cooler weather during fall, winter, and spring, although there is often a shorter period of dormancy during winter due to colder temperatures and less light.
I have lived in a few different climates in my time. My aloe vera used to practically stop growing during the summer when I lived in Nevada and one summer the temperatures were so high and consistently above 80°F (26C) that it barley grew at all for most of the year.
However, when I lived in the much cooler Pacific Northwest, my aloe vera didn’t go into a Summer dormancy; it grew nearly all year round (apart from winter). I observed the growth rate was noticeably higher between the two climates.
It is important to note that Aloe Vera is more susceptible to the effects of overwatering during its Summer as it requires less water in its dormant state.
If you notice the leaves turning yellow, translucent, or developing a mushy texture then this indicates too much moisture and you should scale back the watering and let the soil dry out completely to avoid root rot and allow your Aloe to recover.
(Read my article on how to water aloe vera plants to learn how often to water aloe vera in Summer and Winter).
Lack of Direct Sun and Hours of Light
As we discussed, Aloe Vera is adapted to thriving in arid conditions with either partial or full sun, with a preference for 5-6 hours of morning sun followed by some shade in the afternoon.
If your Aloe Vera is in indirect light or shade then the Aloe Vera conserves its energy by growing very slowly if at all, as shade is contrary to its preferred growing conditions.
In less sunlight, the bottom of the aloe vera leaves can have a dying appearance.
I have experimented with growing aloe vera in differing amounts of sun and in my opinion, aloe vera grows best when it is in around 4 hours of direct morning sun with shade in the afternoon. I find in these conditions the aloe has enough light to fuel growth and the shade in the afternoon avoids stress in the hottest part of the day.
My Best Tips: If your temperatures are pushing 80°F (26C) in the afternoon, I really recommend shading your aloe as it can be a few degrees cooler. Just by shading it, you can avoid the summer dormancy, and the aloe can continue growing. This is the best method I have personally discovered for increasing the growth rate of aloe vera.
A slower rate of growth is more common when Aloe Vera is grown indoors and it may require a grow light to stimulate growth and supplement its light.
If your Aloe Vera is in a location with not enough light, then it is important to expose your aloe to more light gradually rather than in one go.
Plenty have made this mistake, I can assure you! (Myself included). What happens when you do this is that the aloe vera burns in the sun as it has adapted to the low light, and after moving, suddenly, it doesn’t have a chance to acclimate to the higher intensity of sunlight.
I had to lots of testing and actually asked for advice from one of my more experienced colleagues at the garden center and they taught me the proper method.
Pro tip: You need to expose the aloe to more time in the sun each day. I would say to aim for a 20-minute increase in direct sunlight each day over the course of two weeks. This gradual exposure to more light allows your aloe vera to adjust and prevents it from burning in the sun.
Moving Aloe Vera or any succulents from a shady area to full sun results in sunburn with scorched leaves that do not recover and require pruning.
Once your Aloe Vera is in a more suitable sunny location, it should start to grow better.
(Read my article Why is my aloe vera limp?)
Too Much Moisture Around the Roots Slows Growth
As we discussed, our Aloe Vera are resistant to drought due to their adaptations to growing in dry climates with infrequent rainfall and well-draining, gritty soils.
The soil in their native environment is typically sandy and drains very quickly without retaining much moisture.
I think we need to acknowledge that watering Aloe Vera too often and planting them in conventional potting soil causes water stress which can stifle its growth and turn the leaves yellow or translucent with a mushy texture.
Even by the standards of succulents and cacti, Aloe Vera is particularly sensitive to too much water so even if the leaves are not changing to yellow or translucent the aloe can still stop growing if its roots are too damp.
To promote growth and maintain a healthy aloe you should only water the plant when the soil has dried out completely between bouts of watering, then give it a generous soak so that the water infiltrates the soil and reaches the deep roots.
Of course, I should highlight that we should always plant our aloes in specially formulated succulents and cactus soil (available from garden centers and on Amazon) as conventional potting soil holds onto too much moisture after watering and causes root rot.
I learned the reason why this is so effective is because succulent and cactus soil emulates the well-draining soil characteristics of the aloe vera’s native environment.
With a proper watering cycle and well-draining soil you are recreating the preferred conditions of the Aloes native range and it can grow at a faster rate without any water-related stress.
(For more help with dying aloes, read my article How to revive a dying aloe vera plant)
Aloe Vera Grows Slower in Winter
While Aloe Vera growth slows in reaction to high temperatures, aloe also grows slower in the winter months.
The reasons for your Aloe Vera not growing in Winter are:
- Fewer hours of sunlight.
- The lower intensity of the sun.
- More overcast and cloudy days.
- Lower temperatures.
- Water evaporates slower from the soil.
As I already stated, Aloe Vera prefers some direct sun to promote growth so with fewer hours of sun as as well as lower intensity of sun (compared to Spring and Summer) the growth rate of Aloe Vera is naturally going to slow down to the point where it may appear to stop growing.
This is not necessarily to the detriment of the aloe as it should start growing as normal in response to more light in the following Spring, but placing Aloe Vera in the sunniest place possible can help keep the plant healthy.
When I lived in the glorious Pacific Northwest, I had an aloe vera amongst my prize succulent collection. The obvious drawback of growing succulents in this climate is the insufficient amount of light I used to experience every Winter. But what is the solution?
My solution was to buy a grow light. I placed my entire succulent collection under it and turned it on for two hours each evening to supplement the natural light. I would only do this in Winter. However, the results were startlingly good.
My succulent did not grow leggy but instead grew slowly but noticeably proportionately, even in Winter. This is a great little hack for anyone who lives in a northerly latitude. I would thoroughly recommend it.
Cool Temperatures Slows Down Growth
From my research Aloe Vera is hardy to Zone 9 which means it can tolerate a temperature dip to 20° F (-6° C) overnight but at this temperature, the Aloe is trying to survive rather than directing its resources into growing.
Whilst aloe vera can tolerate temporary exposure to cold weather, it can not tolerate sustained low temperatures so whenever it is likely to frost, bring your aloe vera indoors or protect with some horticultural fleece.
Aloe Vera’s optimal temperature range for growing is between 55° F-80° F (13° C-27° C) which is in the typical range of most homes.
I have observed this happen myself. My own aloe was in a nice bright spot on a window sill, but at the time, my home was so poorly insulated that at night, the microclimate on the window sill would get below the preferred temperature range, and my aloe vera was growing exceptionally slow.
When I moved house with a higher ambient temperature, I noticed the aloe vera started to grow significantly quicker.
At these temperatures, the aloe does not have to contend with the stress of cold, and the Summer dormancy is not as pronounced, so it can grow for most of the year.
Aloe Vera typically grows more in the milder Spring and Fall months.
Growth Rate in Larger Pots
So this is interesting. I have scoured for evidence in scientific journals and university extension websites and even spoke directly to professors in botany, but there seems to be limited scientific evidence for this.
However, there is some anecdotal evidence that aloe vera and succulents, in general, grow slower when they are planted in significantly larger pots than the root ball of your succulent. I have noticed this, as have many other Veteran houseplant growers and hobbyists.
Whilst it is difficult to establish a definitive reason, there are theories that when planted in larger pots with lots of soil the aloe redirects its energy from the growth of the plant to the growth and establishing of its root system.
However, it could also be due to larger pots having a greater soil capacity and, therefore, a greater capacity for retaining moisture, which creates conditions that are contrary to Aloe Vera’s preferred dryer soil conditions between bouts of watering.
If a larger pot dries out less quickly, then the succulent could be slightly water-stressed due to increased soil moisture and grow slower.
My solution to this is to report the aloe vera into a clay or terracotta pot as they are breathable (unlike plastic pots, which retain water). This decreases the likelihood of overwatering, adversely affecting your aloe vera and interfering in its growth.
Typically, Aloe Vera grows very well in proportionally smaller pots and can even tolerate being pot-bound.
It is unlikely that a larger pot is exclusively the cause of your Aloe Vera not growing, but it could be a contributing factor. I have observed that aloe vera grows best when there is about 1 inch of soil either side of the aloe vera.
In practical terms, always repot your aloe into a pot that is only one size larger than the previous pot, and you can avoid this potential issue altogether!
I have also observed that in smaller pots, aloe plants tend to produce more off setts for you to propagate, which is always fun!
(If the leaves of your aloe are curling, read my article Aloe vera leaves curling for the solution)
Do you have any more questions about aloe vera or any firsthand anecdotes? If so, please leave a comment below!
Key Takeaways:
- Aloe vera stops growing in Summer as a strategy to conserve water during drought and high temperatures and resumes growing the following Fall. Aloe vera can also stop growing in Winter with fewer hours of light and in response to cold temperatures.
- Aloe vera can grow very slowly and appear not to grow if it is in too much shade. Typically, it prefers some direct sun for optimal growth.
- Too much moisture around the roots due to overwatering and slow-draining soils can cause conditions that are contrary to the aloe vera’s preferred cycle of a generous amount of water followed by the soil drying out.
- Larger pots have a greater capacity for soil, which can cause aloe vera to redirect its energy to establish roots rather than grow leaves.