Aloe plants are a staple in the houseplant realm. The tall, spike-like foliage adds an easy style to a space, while the soothing gel inside the leaves can be used to treat minor burns or scraps. Aloe plants have good looks and can assist in basic first aid, making them more well-rounded than most houseplants, but these beauties take things a step further and bloom. These succulents can bloom as houseplants but may need extra special care. Follow these Aloe plant flower tips to help your plant bloom.
Flower Requirements
Aloe plants must be at least four years old to bloom. Plants only bloom when mature, so if you have a new cutting or picked up a plant at a store, give it time, and the Aloe will bloom when it’s ready. If you know your plant is older and hasn’t bloomed recently, then the environment or care it receives is the likely culprit.
Aloe Plant Flower Description
The first sign of a blooming Aloe plant is a tall flower spike that emerges from between the leaves. The flower stalk stands above the foliage. Buds develop on the flower stalk and bloom in descending order or from the top down. The tubular blooms are known as an inflorescence or a cluster of flowers. Aloe plant flower colors vary but can be yellow, orange, or red. Flowers typically last for a few weeks.
Aloe Plant Bloom Cycle
In nature, Aloes bloom in the spring and summer. Plants typically bloom once; however, some plants can bloom twice during the growing season with proper care. Houseplants can end up on their own schedule and may bloom at different times of the year. However, since sunlight is a big part of getting aloe plant flowers, these beauties typically bloom when the days are long, and the most sunlight is available.
How to Care for Aloe Plant
Overall care is vital for healthy plants; plants only bloom when they receive excellent care. If you want your plant to bloom, ensure light, water, temperature, and feeding are all dialed in. Houseplants often do not bloom because the conditions inside are not what they would experience in nature. You may need to make more effort to ensure the plant is comfortable and receiving the best care possible to bloom.
Tips to Get Your Aloe Plant to Bloom
Simple tips can help your Aloe plant flower. Most of these care tips are necessary for a healthy plant, but sunlight is essential for Aloe plants to bloom.
- Increase Sunlight
- Get Outside
- Feeding Tips
- Get Comfy
Sunlight Needs for Aloe Plant Flower
Aloe plants need at least six hours of sunlight to flower. Houseplants thrive in bright indirect light, so place the plant in a south-facing window to make the most of the available light. Grow lights can provide a solution and offer the light necessary to encourage flowering. Set a timer and place your Aloe under a grow light to ensure it gets plenty of rays.
Outdoor Living
Aloe plants need conditions that mimic what they would experience in nature to bloom. That means warm temperatures and lots of light. Even if you don’t live in an arid environment, like the plant’s native habitat, the conditions outside are probably a closer match than inside your climate-controlled home.
Moving an Aloe plant outside for the spring and summer will help encourage flowers. Most Aloe plants are not cold hardy; if the goal is to get the plant to bloom, make sure the plant is consistently warm. Temperatures between 70° and 85° F encourage the plant to set flowers. Do not let the Aloe plant experience temperatures below 60° F if you are trying to get flowers. You may need to move the plant indoors overnight, especially during the spring, to ensure it is not exposed to chilly temperatures.
Another Note on Outdoor Lighting
In nature, Aloe plants live in full sun. Houseplants are not accustomed to such intense light. Your Aloe plant may be able to handle limited amounts of direct light. If you move it outside, select a spot with shade or indirect sunlight. The foliage will dry out from the inside, turn brown, and wither when exposed to too much direct light. If you see signs of light damage, move the plant out of direct light. A stressed plant will not bloom. Put flowering plans on hold until next year and give a damaged plant time to recoup.
Fertilize Aloe Plants
Like most succulents, Aloe plants are not heavy feeders; proper nutrition will help the Aloe plant flower. Use a balanced fertilizer with numbers like 10-10-10 to encourage flowers. Apply plant food in the spring when the growing season starts and again around midsummer. Resist the urge to feed the plant more often because too much fertilizer can be damaging.
Let Aloe Plants Be Slightly Rootbound
Rootbound Aloe plants are more likely to bloom. Flowers are a way for the plant to produce seeds and more plants. When the plant is newly rootbound and unable to grow more, it triggers flowering because the plant is trying to create more plants to carry on its lineage.
At a certain point, being rootbound goes from helpful to detrimental. Plants that are excessively rootbound will not flower. A plant that is too big for its container will stop growing and may decline.
Repotting Strategy
If you want to encourage your Aloe plant to bloom, let it become slightly rootbound, but repot it before things escalate. Repot Aloe plants every few years. Select a container that is at least one more no more than two inches larger than the root ball. For best results, choose a container closer to one inch larger. Plants in small containers become rootbound more quickly (and need to be repotted sooner), but there’s a greater chance of the plant blooming.
Too big of a container will cause the plant to focus on growing roots at the expense of flowering. The container must have drainage, and materials like unglazed ceramic and terra cotta, which allow moisture to evaporate, are good choices.
Enjoy Aloe Plant Blooms
Lots of sunlight is key to getting an Aloe plant to flower. While sunlight is essential, you still need to ensure the plant is properly cared for and receives the best care possible. Taking steps to help your plant bloom is easy, and you’ll be rewarded with lovely and unique flowers that make this stunning plant even more enjoyable.