Generally, Aloe grows in arid climates. But it may be cultivated outside in warm climates and needs only a moderate amount of water and also be grown indoors in a sunny southern or eastern window.

Planting

Fill containers a quarter full with drainage material and compost consisting of two parts loam and one part coarse sand, broken brick and crushed limestone, with a bit of bone meal added. They should be potted in the spring and watered carefully until established. During the summer, water can be given as soon as the soil is dry, but from September to March very little is needed, just enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling. Over watering will kill the plant. Well-rooted plants will benefit from occasional applications of dilute liquid fertilizer, in the summer. Large plants, however, do need an occasional top dressing of fresh soil each spring; any loose soil should be removed and replaced with new. The drainage holes shouldn't be plugged up. Once established, the mother plant will send off shoots, which may be transplanted when they are at least 1 to 2 inches tall but in fact, aloes do not need to be repotted often; plants in large pots will flourish for many years without being moved. The plant takes approximately four years to reach maturity and has a lifespan of about 12 years.

Harvesting It reaches maturity in four years when the leaves are harvested. The plants can be harvested every 6-8 weeks by removing 3 to 4 leaves per plant.