8 Best Soil for Aloe Vera Plants | Must-Read Before You Choose

Aloe vera plants are extremely easy to grow as they can even thrive in neglect or poor environmental conditions. However, if you want your aloe vera to achieve its optimum growth, you need to consider growing it in a good soil mix.

To know more about what these products can offer and other interesting information about aloe vera plants and their soil requirements, simply read further this article! 

Can You Use Regular Potting Soil for Aloe Vera Plants?

You can use regular potting soil for aloe vera plants. They can grow in a variety of soils as long as it is well-draining. In fact, aloe vera is commonly found thriving in nutrient-poor soil conditions. 

What Soil Does Aloe Vera Plants Need?

Any well-draining commercial potting mix with supplemental coarse sand, perlite, or granite grit can work. Slightly acidic to alkaline clay or loam soil is also preferred. Additionally, aloe vera plants can tolerate high salt levels in the soil.

Can I Use Cactus Soil For The Aloe Vera Plant?

You can use cactus soil for the ale vera plant. In fact, soil mix that is intended for cacti and succulents is usually used for aloe vera plants because they are coarse and well-draining.

Can I Plant Aloe Vera in Pebbles?

You can plant aloe vera in pebbles. They can thrive hydroponically in a container filled with water, pebbles, and sand. You can even use rocks. 

Signs That Your Aloe Vera Plant Is in the Wrong Soil

When talking about the wrong soil for your aloe vera plants, this refers to soil mixes that are not well-draining. Signs can manifest as brown, foul-smelling, mushy roots and droopy, shriveled up, or brown, yellowing, or dead leaves. If you see these symptoms, immediately repot your plant in a well-draining soil mix. 

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Soil for Aloe Vera?

• Ingredients. The soil blend should contain one or more of the following ingredients: sphagnum peat moss, perlite, sand, limestone, or vermiculite.

• Features. It should be able to drain water quickly and allow moisture retention since aloe vera plants cannot thrive in soil that is saturated with water. It should also allow good air circulation and nutrient uptake for optimum growth.

• Packaging. Resealable bags are more convenient to use and store. Additionally, it also reduces the growth of mold and unwanted microorganisms.

8 Best Soil for Aloe Vera Plants

Succulent Plant Soil, Natural All-Purpose

Key Ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss, lime, perlite, and horticultural-grade sand

Features: 

• This all-purpose potting mix is formulated by professional garden growers to provide your aloe vera plants with the optimal environmental conditions for them to thrive in. 

• It is fast-draining and helps prevent problems caused by overwatering, such as root rots. It also does not grow molds or have any unpleasant, mildew scent. 

• The soil blend is also easy to use and is ideal for leaf-cutting propagations. 

• Comes in a 6” by 9” resealable bag and can fit 1 to 2 small plants or 1 medium plant.

Product Dimensions: 8.15” (length) x 5.63” (width) x 2.36” (height), with a weight of 12.6 ounces.

Miracle-Gro Succulent Potting Mix

Key Ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss, processed forest products, fertilizer (0.11% nitrogen, 0.05% available phosphate, 0.08% soluble potash), and wetting agent

Features: 

• A fast-draining soil blend that allows aloe vera plants and other succulent varieties to grow healthily, this product is certified by the Mulch and Soil Council, making it fit for industry guidelines. 

• An added bonus of this product is that it contains low amounts of fertilizer, which aloe vera plants need.

• The formulation used for this product can also prevent garden pests since it has gone through a rigorous compost and packing process. 

• To use, fill a container up to one-third full with this rooting medium, insert the aloe vera plant, then add more soil mix before pressing lightly. 

Product Dimensions: 4” (length) x 10.5” (width) x 12” (height), with a weight of 1.5 pounds.

Superfly Bonsai Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix

Key Ingredients: Akadama, pumice, pine bark, and haydite

Features:

• Encouraging water retention, drainage, ventilation, and nutrient uptake, this soil mix is perfect for aloe vera plants, cacti, and other succulents. 

• This product is a non-organic rooting medium and is not made of any dirt. Although it is a pre-made substrate, do not add anything to it as it is already fine on its own.

• Comes in an easy zip resealable bag that you can use and reuse as many times as you want. 

• To plant aloe vera, you can put some small pebbles at the bottom of its container but make sure they aren’t plugging the drainage holes. 

• Avoid using it for plants aside from succulents since there’s a high chance that they may not survive. 

Product Dimensions: 6” (length) x 4” (width) x 11” (height), with a weight of 1.72 pounds.

Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

Key Ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss, reed sedge peat, perlite, sand, limestone

Features:

• This soil mix is specially formulated with organic ingredients if you desire a more natural product to grow your aloe vera plants in. 

• Promotes root development and blooming when the aloe vera plant is grown under the right conditions. 

• It has limestone to balance the pH levels of the mixture and can provide the drainage your aloe vera needs.

• You can add some small stones or pebbles at the bottom of the plant’s container.

• Make sure the product is tightly sealed since there can be mold growth and condensation build-up, especially in hotter regions. The good thing is that this product comes in an easy-to-pour, resealable bag. 

Product Dimensions: 4” (length) x 10” (width) x 15” (height) with a weight of 1 pound

xGarden Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

Key Ingredients: Peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite

Features:

• Formulated with all-natural ingredients, this soil blend provides optimal aeration and drainage for your aloe vera plants. It is also pH-controlled and balanced to make sure the plants grow healthy.

• You can also expect to have no issues with any garden pests or mold. Additionally, even after watering and tamping, the soil won’t compact much. 

• It is best used when repotting aloe vera plants but it can also work as its primary soil mix.

• Aside from aloe vera, you can also use this product with other non-succulent plants.

Product Dimensions: 13” (length) x 9” (width) x 4” (height), with a weight of 5.14 pounds.

Rio Hamza Aloe Vera Soil Blend

Key Ingredients: Peat moss, sand, perlite, and lime

Features:

• Professionally formulated to provide aloe vera plants with the optimum growing environment, this product allows drainage and has a balanced pH level, allowing the plants to receive the proper nutrition they need.

• 2 quarts of this product can fit 3 to 4 small aloe vera plants or 1 to 2 medium-sized plants.

• This is not recommended to use for non-succulent plants as they may not survive.

• If you need to revive your dying aloe vera plants, simply repot them into a container filled with this soil mix.

Product Dimensions: 9.06” (length) x 7.68” (width) x 3.07” (height), with a weight of 1.26 pounds.

Espoma Organic Cactus Potting Soil Mix

Key Ingredients: Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, limestone, yucca extract

Features:

• It can provide optimum drainage and aeration for your aloe vera plants as it is made up of a rich blend of organic materials derived from aged forest products, composted rice hulls, and humus.

• Additionally, it is also formulated with endo and ecto mycorrhizae or good fungi. There are no synthetic plant chemicals or foods used in this product.

• You can use this both when starting a new plant or when transplanting aloe veras into larger-sized containers.

• Be careful with watering as gnats can become a problem with this product.

• To use, fill one-third of a container using this potting soil mix, insert the plant in the center, fill with additional product, then gently pat down. 

Product Dimensions: 8” (length) x 5” (width) x 5” (height), with a weight of 2.01 pounds.

PERFECT PLANTS All Natural Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix

Key Ingredients: Peat moss, composted pine bark, garden coir, sand, and perlite

Features: 

• This soil mix is fresh and all-natural, specially formulated to provide aloe vera plants with optimum drainage, moisture retention, nutrient uptake, and air circulation. It is professionally mixed by experienced growers.

• Make sure to grow your aloe vera plants in a container with several drainage holes at the bottom when using this soil mix.

• You won’t have any problems with garden pests since, unlike other soil blends, this product does not attract them at all. 

• Comes in a resealable bag for your convenience and multiple uses. 

Product Dimensions: 9” (length) x 2” (width) x 10” (height), with a weight of 2.97 pounds.

List of Sources

Aloe Vera: Aloe barbadensi – https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/santa-rosa/docs/pdfs/demo-garden/Aloe-Vera.pdf

Aloe – https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aloe/

Growing Aloe Vera – https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/aloevera2020.html

Aloe Vera – https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/aloe-vera.html