Does Aloe Vera Flower When Grown Indoors?

Aloe Vera is a classic houseplant that many beginners start with because it is easy to care for. If you provide this succulent proper sunlight and moisture, then it will reward you with thick, fleshy leaves. On top of being low-maintenance, Aloe Vera has many other uses, adding to its popularity. But did you know that this succulent can produce beautiful orange blooms?

When Aloe Vera flowers, it happens because it’s been grown in conditions similar to the plant’s native habitat outdoors. While this succulent is known to grow quite well as a houseplant, getting them to bloom indoors is a bit trickier.

Let’s take a deeper look at how Aloe Vera can flower indoors. We will also take a deeper look at what you can do to give them the best probability of blooming inside your home if that’s your goal.

Long Answer

Aloe Vera is tricky to produce a bloom when grown indoors. It needs a combination of ideal growing conditions to produce a single bloom. You can provide them with all the proper growing conditions, and they may still not bloom.

Not to mention, the plant blooms once a year. You will have to wait for some time to pass before seeing if your efforts pay off. Let’s take a look at the optimal growth conditions that will increase our chances of producing a bloom.

Bloom Expectations

Many gardeners aren’t even aware that this plant can bloom. This is because it is rather difficult to produce a bloom indoors. Many indoor conditions can sustain the plant but not necessarily induce blooming.

The top reason for a plant that won’t flower is its age. Aloe Vera needs to be at least 4 years old before they send out a flower. Then on top of age, the plant also needs the right light exposure, temperatures, watering frequency, and added nutrients. Even when you think you have all the right conditions, the plant may not send up a bloom.

If you are lucky enough and your plant has started to send up a stalk, you can expect to see an inflorescences flower. The flower will resemble that of a Red Hot Poker plant. The flowers will be orange and yellow and hang in groups atop a long stalk.

Their bloom window is during the summer months, and the flower can last for weeks at a time. This succulent blooms only once a year making them a sight to see once they do bloom.

Providing Proper Light

The number one factor working against your Aloe Vera’s bloom cycle is sunlight. The plant naturally grows in arid, rocky regions exposed to bright, direct sunlight for most of the day. But the plant can handle a range of sunlight conditions when grown indoors.

You will need to find a location that will have bright, direct sunlight for the majority of the day.  This location can be on a windowsill that receives filtered sunlight directly. Avoid any shade throughout the day, as this will lessen the chance of a bloom.

Keep in mind that as the seasons change, so does the position of the sunlight. A windowsill that once received bright light in the summer may no longer be in the winter. You may need to move your plant around throughout the year to continue providing bright, direct sunlight. 

Providing The Right Temperature

On top of providing bright, direct sunlight, you will also have to provide warmer temperatures. Many indoor temperatures are great for growing Aloe Vera. But to induce flowering, they may need to be higher. Aloe thrives anywhere from 55 to 85 F, but if temperatures fall below 40 F, they can start turning brown and damaged, or die.

If you are trying to induce flowering, you should keep temperatures anywhere from 70 to 85 F at all times. A great way to monitor temperatures is to place a thermometer near the plant. This will allow you to monitor temperatures regularly.

This succulent is popular to grow on windowsills, but this can pose a threat if you are trying to get the plant to bloom. Windows sills fluctuate in temperature as the seasons change. They may be nice and toasty in the summer but can become extremely cold in the winter.

Watering Frequency

Less is more when it comes to water. Allow soils to dry out between waterings. Your plant will give you signs that it’s time for water. The leaves will begin to shrivel and pucker slightly. If you begin to see these signs, you need to start watering.

This plant goes dormant in the winter, so watering isn’t required during that season. Always check the soil for moisture. Using your finger, dig an inch or 2 into the soil, and if there is moisture, delay watering. 

You can also lift the container and if it feeds light, consider watering. Watch for signs of underwatering. But outside of this, you can almost forget about watering this low-maintenance houseplant.

Fertilizing

If you are providing all the necessary elements to induce blooming indoors but want to give an extra kick, consider fertilizing. Fertilizing will encourage the plant to bloom. You will want to use a well-balanced fertilizer, whether that be liquid or a slow-release formula.

If you are using a liquid fertilizer, you will need to dilute the fertilizer to half the strength. Aloe Vera can become easily burned by fertilizers. The best times to apply fertilizer is in the spring through the summer. Avoid fertilizing in the winter since the plant goes dormant in these cold months.

Fertilizer can be applied once a month, or if your using slow-release fertilizer, a minimum of every three months. Be sure to water the plant thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help move the nutrient through the soil and wash away any salts that can be harmful to the plant.