How to grow Aloe Vera in New Zealand
Aloe vera is a clump-forming succulent with thick, toothed, grey-green leaves full of the clear gel used to soothe minor burns and sunburn. It grows outdoors year round in the frost-free north and makes an easy pot plant everywhere else, brought indoors or under cover for winter. It thrives on neglect and is far more often killed by too much water than too little.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Aloe Vera in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to February | |
| Auckland | October to February | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to February | |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Not frost hardy. Keep it in a pot indoors on the plateau. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October to February | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to February | |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Not frost hardy. Keep it in a pot indoors over winter. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Not frost hardy. Keep it in a pot indoors over winter. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Not frost hardy. Keep it in a pot indoors over winter. |
Where to plant
Outdoors, aloe vera needs full sun, a spot sheltered from the harshest afternoon sun in summer, and very free-draining, sandy or gritty soil. It must never sit wet. Indoors, give it the brightest spot you have, such as a sunny windowsill. Leaves that turn red or brown in strong sun are sunburnt; move the plant to a little more shade, or let it adjust gradually.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty: can grow outdoors year round in frost-free coastal gardens. Plant from October to February.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: grow it outdoors only in a warm, frost-free, well-drained spot, or keep it in a pot you can move under cover in winter.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: not frost hardy. Grow it in a pot and bring it indoors over winter.
How to plant
- Choose a well-drained spot, or a pot only slightly larger than the plant, filled with a cacti and succulent potting mix.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth, and tease out any circling roots.
- Plant at the same depth it sat before and firm the soil gently around it.
- Water lightly to settle it, then let the soil dry out before watering again.
- Mulch with pebbles or gravel rather than bark, keeping it clear of the base of the plant.
Watering and feeding
Water occasionally, letting the soil dry out between waterings. Aloe vera rests over winter and needs very little water then. Never leave a pot standing in a saucer of water, as wet roots rot quickly.
Feed lightly once a month from spring to autumn with a liquid plant food. No feeding is needed in winter.
Pruning and care through the year
- Repot every couple of years to refresh the mix and reduce crowding, using a pot with good drainage holes.
- Wipe dust off indoor plants with a damp cloth so the leaves get the most light.
- Remove pups from around the base when they crowd the parent, and pot them up as new plants.
Harvesting
Cut a thick outer leaf at the base of a mature plant, taking the oldest leaves first and leaving the young central leaves to grow on. The plant is slow, so take a leaf at a time and let it recover between cuts. Cut leaves keep in the fridge for a week or two, and the gel can be frozen in ice cube trays.
Growing in pots
Aloe vera is one of the easiest plants to keep in a pot. Use a pot with good drainage, at least 25 cm wide for a mature plant, filled with a cacti and succulent mix. Keep it in full sun outdoors in summer or in bright light indoors, and move it inside before the first frost in cold districts.
Using it
Split a leaf and scoop out the clear gel to apply to minor burns, sunburn and dry skin. Use only the clear gel. The yellow latex just under the leaf skin is a laxative, and eating aloe can cause stomach cramps, so do not eat it. A few people react to the gel on their skin, so try a small patch first.
Propagation and saving seed
Aloe vera is grown from the pups, or offsets, that form around the base of the plant, rather than from seed. Ease a pup away with some roots attached and pot it up in a cacti and succulent mix. Crowded pots can also be divided and repotted.
Varieties
- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Companion planting
Aloe vera grows best with plants that like the same dry, sunny, free-draining conditions.
Good companions
- Succulents They share its need for sun, gritty soil and little water, so a mixed succulent pot or bed is easy to manage.
- Herbs Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme like the same dry, sunny spot.
Pests and diseases
Aloe vera has few pests. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems.
Pests to watch for
- Mealybug Distorted new growth with a white, cottony substance in the leaf bases. Wipe off small numbers with a damp cloth.
- Scale Small brown or white bumps stuck to the leaves, sometimes with sticky honeydew.
Diseases to watch for
Common questions
Can aloe vera grow outside in New Zealand?
Yes, in frost-free gardens, mainly in Northland, Auckland and coastal Bay of Plenty, in full sun and free-draining soil. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot and bring it indoors or under cover over winter, as it is not frost hardy.
How often should I water aloe vera?
Only when the soil has dried out. In summer that may be every week or two outdoors; in winter, water very rarely. Too much water is the most common way aloe vera dies.
Why is my aloe vera going soft and brown?
Usually because the soil has stayed wet and the roots are rotting. Stop watering, let it dry, and repot into a gritty cacti and succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes.
How do I harvest aloe vera gel?
Cut a thick outer leaf at the base, take the oldest leaves first, and scoop the clear gel from the inside. Use only the clear gel on skin.
How do I propagate aloe vera?
Separate the pups that grow around the base of the plant, with some roots attached, and pot them up in a cacti and succulent mix.
Can I grow aloe vera indoors?
Yes. Give it the brightest spot you have, such as a sunny windowsill, use a pot with drainage holes and water sparingly.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow aloe vera; Yates NZ: Common problems of aloe vera; Wikipedia: Aloe vera.