Aloe Vera is a wonderful plant to have around. This succulent species is low maintenance yet beautiful. This easily recognizable plant has been known for its practical uses on the skin and is sometimes called the “wonder plant.” If you have an Aloe, you must want to know how to care for it. Are you asking yourself if you should be fertilizing this plant and with what? You're in the right place. We've gathered our research to determine the best fertilizers to promote growth and keep your plant happy.
Here is a list of the best fertilizers for Aloe Vera:
- EarthPods Premium Cactus & Succulent Plant Food
- Wiggle Worm Soil: Builder Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer
- Schultz Cactus Plus Liquid Plant Food
- Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
- Jobe's Succulent Fertilizer Spikes
- GrowBetter Organic Cactus & Succulent Fertilizer
- Dr. Earth Premium Gold Pure & Natural Fertilizer
Keep reading as we elaborate on each of these top recommended fertilizers. We'll provide insights on how to increase Aloe Vera's growth and let you know how to create DIY fertilizer at home.
Best Fertilizers For Aloe Vera
1. EarthPods Premium Cactus & Succulent Plant Food
This is an easy-to-use fertilizer that comes in the form of pods. By placing one pod near the stem of your Aloe Vera, you promote root growth, stem development and help colors become more vibrant. EarthPods are completely organic and made safe for the environment as well as children. Buying just one tube of this product can provide a single plant with six years worth of fertilizer.
You can find this eco-friendly fertilizer here on Amazon.
2. Wiggle Worm Soil: Builder Worm Castings Organic Fertilizer
Wiggle Worm Soil contains all essential nutrients in their simplest forms. The simple form means that your plant uses minimal effort to absorb its needed nutrients. Along with being nutrient-dense, this fertilizer contains beneficial bacteria and microbes, creating an environment for optimal growth.
Buy a 4.5-pound bag of Wiggle Worm Soil here on Amazon.
3. Schultz Cactus Plus Liquid Plant Food
This fertilizer is one of the best options for your Aloe plant. It is a liquid formula that feeds through the roots each time you water. This box of fertilizer comes with an easy-to-measure dropper. This brand recommends feeding your plant 7 drops of fertilizer twice a month.
Amazon offers a 4-ounce bottle of this liquid plant food here.
4. Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
Miracle-Gro for succulents is a popular choice due to its fast-acting nature. This fertilizer can be mixed with water or applied directly, creating immediate results. You should feed your Aloe Vera 1-2 times per month when using this product.
Have a look at this 2-pack of Miracle-Gro for succulents here on Amazon.
5. Jobe's Succulent Fertilizer Spikes
These fertilizer spikes have been created for a slow release and last all year long. These spikes are to be buried under the soil and provide nutrients directly to the roots of your Aloe. If you have a pet in the home that gets into your plants now and again, this fertilizer option is ideal as it is pet-friendly.
You can find Jobe's Succulent Fertilizer here on Amazon.
6. GrowBetter Organic Cactus & Succulent Fertilizer
This organic fertilizer is another slow-release brand. It takes at least two months for all the nutrients to be released into the soil, allowing for your plant's roots to stay healthy and the plant itself to flourish. This low odor fertilizer can be mixed in with your soil or used as a top dresser.
Find this organic succulent fertilizer here on Amazon.
7. Dr. Earth Premium Gold Pure & Natural Fertilizer
Dr. Earth Premium fertilizer is for plants that are losing or changing colors. This is a product that is rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Due to the richness of this fertilizer, you must dilute it appropriately to avoid burning the roots of your plant. At the right concentration, this natural fertilizer will aid your plant in fighting off disease and promotes healthy roots.
You can purchase a 4-pound bag of this fertilizer here on Amazon.
What Type Of Fertilizer Does Aloe Vera Need?
Standard, all-purpose fertilizers won't do much for your Aloe Vera plant. This is why you should seek specifically succulent fertilizers. If you are using a slow-release or pellet-based product, you want a nutrient ratio of 10-40-10. The manufacturer of your fertilizer will provide dilution instructions to follow.
Your nutrient ratio will look different if you plan to use a liquid fertilizer over these slow-release options. Liquid fertilizers created for succulents need a ratio of 0.5-1-1. These fertilizers can be given one month after planting your Aloe.
Learn more in this blog post: 15 Best All-Purpose Plant Fertilizers [Liquid, Powder, and Granular]
Is Urea Fertilizer Good For Aloe Vera?
The gardening world makes selecting the right fertilizers for our plants easy, as they are typically labeled for the specific plant you have. Are you still wondering what in these fertilizers is important for your Aloe? There are several minerals, vitamins, and other foods within succulent fertilizers that your Aloe enjoys, but urea is not one of them.
A study done in 2015 on the effects of fertilizers on the growth of Aloe Vera showed that Urea had little to no effect on this plant. So, Urea isn't necessarily bad for your Aloe, but it doesn't provide much in the view of positives either.
How Can I Increase My Aloe Vera Growth?
Aloe Vera is one of the faster-growing succulents, but it is a succulent, nonetheless. Succulents are known for their slow-growing nature, but there are some tricks you can apply to get your Aloe growing fast from the start.
Growing your Aloe in a clay or terracotta pot with great drainage is a good start. This will encourage your soil to dry out faster between watering, helping to increase your Aloe growth. Fill this pot with succulent or cactus potting soil from the start.
Another trick to increase the growth of your Aloe Vera is promoting the growth of its roots. You can do this by dusting the stem of your plant or the roots with a rooting hormone powder.
View this rooting hormone powder here on Amazon.
Read more in this blog post: What's The Best Pot For An Aloe Plant?
How To Make Homemade Fertilizer For Aloe Vera
If you want to utilize some of your own food waste to feed your Aloe Vera plant, you can. Creating a fertilizer at home is simple and saves on garbage. Homemade Aloe Vera fertilizer consists of eggshells, banana peels, and water. Simple, right?
This video below shows you exactly how to create your DIY fertilizer.
Other foods your Aloe can benefit from include natural teas, coconut oil, and small amounts of Epsom salt.
Are Coffee Grounds Good For Aloe Plants?
You may add coffee grounds to other plants of yours and wonder if your Aloe can benefit from these leftover granules. Unfortunately, your Aloe will not benefit from coffee grounds and can even be harmed by these leftovers.
There are a few issues with adding coffee grounds to the soil surrounding your Aloe. Coffee grounds may prevent adequate soil draining by blocking drainage holes or retaining water that your plant should be drinking.
Aloe thrives in soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. By throwing your coffee grounds into the mix, you will make the soil more acidic, ultimately harming your plant.
Is Banana Peel Good For Aloe Vera Plants?
Banana peel is great for Aloe Vera plants. Remember, this is a vital part of your DIY fertilizer. Great for decreasing food waste and creating a natural fertilizer. It seems like a win, win.
You can utilize banana peels as liquid fertilizer or reap the benefits of composting them. In either case, cut your banana peels into small pieces first, choose which method is right for you, and let your Aloe enjoy that added potassium.
Watch the video below to see the composting method in detail.
Learn more in this blog post: Compost vs. Fertilizer — What's The Difference?
Final Thoughts
There are quite a few fertilizers to choose from for your Aloe Vera plant. You can choose from fertilizers in liquid form, soils, or slow-release pods. There is an option for any level gardener. Don't want to buy commercial plant food? No worries, save your eggshells and banana peels to create one of your own. Proper feeding allows your Aloe to thrive and grow to its full potential. We hope you found this article in finding the perfect fertilizer for both you and your plant.