Do you need the best soil for indoor aloe plants? You’re in the right place. We’ve got a list of 10 types of soil that will help you grow a healthy aloe vera plant.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
Best Soil for Indoor Aloe Plants
Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix
This premium soil mix by Superfly Bonsai can be used for plants like aloe vera. It is ready to use and helps with drainage, vital for cactus plants, so their roots don’t get too wet.
The mix contains non-organic components called substrate, which is ideal for aloe plants. They help retain the necessary amount of water without becoming soggy and will help air get to the roots.
Ingredients include haydite, pumice, New Zealand pine bark, and hard Japanese akadama. This unique blend was chosen to promote nutrient uptake to keep your aloe vera plant healthy for a long time.
Don’t let the company name fool you, though. Just because they started specializing in bonsai doesn’t mean this isn’t an excellent soil for cactus plants, including aloe vera.
Pros
- 100% money-back guarantee
- It comes in a resealable bag that zips shut
- A small bag is convenient to store indoors
Cons
- A few said it drained too fast
- It can be somewhat expensive
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Burpee Organic Premium Potting Mix
In addition to a premium potting mix, this soil by Burpee Organic also includes plant food. The slow-release will nourish and feed plants for up to 3 months.
It’s ideal for indoor gardening and can be used for potted plants, windowsill containers, and hanging baskets. The formulation includes coconut coir which helps maintain the moisture to get adequate hydration.
You can even use the leftovers to grow food, and it’s organic, so you won’t have to worry about any harmful additives. The small bag will last a long time if you only have a few pots in your home.
It’s also perfect for aloe vera, which needs to grow in a shallow pot and doesn’t need a lot of excess soil to thrive. The roots shouldn’t be in a deep container so getting a smaller bag means you won’t be tempted to plant your aloe incorrectly.
Pros
- Enriched with plant food
- Soft and lightweight soil
- An affordable option for a high-quality potting soil
Cons
- Some said their product had bugs inside
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Espoma Organic Cactus Mix
This all-natural organic cactus mix by Espoma can be used for aloe vera plants, all varieties of cactus, succulents, and citrus. It has Myco-Tone added, so you’ll save water and won’t have to worry about plants drying out or dying if they aren’t watered as often as is ideal.
The goal of this soil is to both retain the moisture after watering while improving aeration so the roots can breathe. It also helps roots grow, so you have a healthy plant from bottom to top.
It also contains peat humus, sphagnum peat moss, sand, and perlite, which contribute to good drainage. Regular soil or dirt will get too clumpy and won’t allow roots to breathe, but this mix solves that problem.
You’ll give your plant every opportunity to thrive, and gardening will be an enjoyable experience because you won’t be tied to a schedule. Instead, you can let your plants add positivity to your life instead of becoming a difficult chore.
Pros
- It has enough structure for roots to get a good hold
- It drains freely and is lightweight
- The bag is resealable
- After draining, the mix is airy and loose
Cons
- Some thought the drainage wasn’t very good
- A few said you need to add more perlite for cactus plants
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Dr. Earth Exotic Cactus and Succulent Soil
This cactus and succulent soil potting mix by Dr. Earth was designed with plants like aloe vera in mind. It is formulated to meet the unique needs of this type of plant, which needs good drainage and plenty of root aeration.
It is OMRI listed and safe for both people and pets, so you won’t have to worry if kids or animals get into the bag. The mix can also be added to enrich other types of soils or to make compost for an additional boost of nutrients.
Only the highest quality ingredients are used in this mix, and it contains a variety of organic materials. You’ll get fir bark, perlite, peat moss, and more, so your aloe plant is guaranteed to thrive.
Pros
- It can be used for both indoor and outdoor plants
- Has great drainage
- MycoApply certified
- It contains many ingredients for optimum growth
Cons
- A few reported that it didn’t suck up enough water
- One said it was slow draining and too heavy
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Premium Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix
This premium soil mix by Wonder Soil is perfect for cactus plants and succulents. It also saves you money because it expands four to five times when water is added.
The small bag will conveniently fit in a cupboard or shelf, and when you start potting your aloe plant, you’ll only need a little bit. It’ll be fun to watch as the water is added; the soil seems to grow before your eyes.
The mix contains coconut coir and worm castings and pumice and mycorrhizae to promote drainage and root aeration. It will save you water and help roots grow strong and healthy, leading to a long-living plant.
Pros
- It expands in size, which makes it an excellent value for the price
- Soil holds moisture for a long time
- It doesn’t contain chemicals, pesticides, or unnatural ingredients
Cons
- Some said the soil doesn’t expand enough
- A few thought it was too expensive
Premium All Purpose Potting Soil
If you want a professional-grade blend of potting soil, this premium mix by Proven Winners makes an excellent choice. It comes in a beautiful bag with flowers on the packaging and can be used for many types of plants.
It contains a blend of Canadian sphagnum peat moss, processed softwood bark, and some perlite and dolomite lime. The controlled release fertilizer will feed plants for up to six months.
You’ll receive everything your plants need to grow well and none of the things which will hinder roots from taking hold or getting enough oxygen. The fertilizer and plant food gives an extra boost and gives plants a solid head start.
Pros
- Has good air porosity and drainage
- Medium-weight mix
- Ready to use right from the bag
Cons
- Some mentioned they got a bag with gnats inside
- One said it was too expensive
- At least one user received a bag that was opened and leaked soil
Fox Farm Coco Loco Potting Mix
This potting mix by Fox Farm is great for indoor plants in pots or other containers such as baskets. This powerful blend contains coconut coir which acts like a sponge and holds more water than it weighs.
Although it can soak up a lot of water, it doesn’t stop soil from draining. The lower humidity level also helps prevent roots from rotting or getting moldy.
The bag is perfectly sized for the beginning gardener or someone with minimal plants to tend to. Beautiful packaging with vibrant colors and design makes it pleasant to look at so you can leave it out without creating clutter.
Just open it up and add it when potting your aloe vera plant or topping up its soil. But don’t add too much, and remember not to re-pot your aloe plants more than once a year.
Pros
- It contains earthworm castings and bat guano for extra fertilizer
- Has good consistency and is very clean
- It holds water well and is also affordable
Cons
- Some said the bag was torn at the seam
- A few mentioned theirs contained some small sticks and rocks
Compressed Organic Potting Soil
This compressed soil by Organic Plant Magic is unique because it expands up to seven times. A little really does go a long way with this tiny bag that will last a long time and can be used for multiple potting.
The super soil is concentrated with additional ingredients like coconut coir and worm castings along with healthy bacteria to supercharge your plants. Everything in this soil is non-toxic, organic, and biodegradable.
It works quickly to get both water and air to the root of your aloe plant. The mix promotes moisture retention up to 50% more than other soils, perfect for cactus plants. It will feed your plants for several months, and they’ll also require less watering.
Pros
- Child and pet friendly
- It contains only natural ingredients
- It gives fast hydration to plants
- It expands when water is added
- It has a 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- A few reported that their product had either bugs or mold inside
- Some said it only doubled in size instead of expanding more
Black Gold All Organic Potting Soil
This all-purpose organic potting soil by Black Gold is a mix containing fertilizer. The added perlite and pumice are added for drainage is essential to the success of aloe vera plants.
All ingredients have been tested to ensure the highest quality so you get a good product that will make your garden flourish. It contains peat moss, earthworm castings, compost, and bark, along with organic grade fertilizer.
You can use it for all kinds of houseplants as well as hanging baskets and window boxes. The rich and loamy mix makes it suitable for various plants, so you can get one potting soil for all your houseplants.
If you think your aloe plant might need more drainage, you can always add extra sand or perlite. Also, make sure not to add too much soil in, and you should be good to go.
Pros
- Made in the United States
- All organic ingredients
- You can find soils explicitly formulated for your region
- Plants will go quickly and have large leaves
Cons
- Several people had problems with bugs in the soil mix
- A few reported that it got too soggy for their plants
Things to Consider When Choosing the Soil for Indoor Aloe
Container Size
For indoor gardening, the size of the soil package you purchase will be an essential consideration. If you don’t have a garage or outdoor storage shed, you will need to keep the soil inside.
That means choosing a smaller bag such as a quart-sized that can be put away in a cupboard or cabinet. Larger bags will be challenging to maneuver and could spill out into your house, creating a dirty mess.
Bags that can be resealed or zipped close are best. When it comes to indoor gardening, you don’t want your house to get too messy. Smaller bags can be put inside a bag that seals to stay dry and fresh.
You will also want to opt for a smaller bag because aloe vera plants don’t need a lot of soil. They have shallow roots and don’t need deep containers either. So don’t waste your money on big pots or large bags of soil.
Also See: 7 Best Pots for Aloe Vera Plants
Drainage Ability
Cactus plants need soil that allows the excess water to drain out. If their roots become too wet, they can mold or rot, which will cause the plant to die. Any kind of soil that doesn’t clump together and hold water for a long time is a good option.
Many cactus-related soils and potting mixes will have additional ingredients like peat moss or perlite added to help with drainage. Look for a light and airy mixture that won’t get compressed when wet and will allow air to circulate near the roots.
Added Fertilizer
If you want to give your plant the best chance of growing well, you’ll probably need to add in some additional nutrients other than just soil. Whether this is fertilizer, compost, or some other nutritious compound, a plant thrives when it is fed well.
Some potting soil has added fertilizers and plant foods. If you don’t know what to buy for your aloe vera, buy a mix that has already been formulated for you. This will save you time and money experimenting and researching what to buy.
Instead, get a product with plant food that will be released over time. Many will feed plants for several months, so you won’t have to worry about them and can enjoy gardening without any headaches.
Air Circulation
Your aloe vera plant will need a soil mix that lets airflow so the roots can breathe. One of the fastest ways to kill any of your plants is to suffocate roots by having too dense soil.
Instead, look for keywords like root aeration or circulation when selecting a potting mix for your indoor aloe vera plant. Any soil should be lightweight and fluffy when water is added, and it has been mixed properly.
Shy away from those that are dense or become too tightly packed. Regular soil like this may be good for other plants or flowers, but it will spell doom for an aloe vera plant.
Expanding Soil
One cool thing about different types of soil is that you can find varieties that have been compressed for convenience. When gardening indoors, space is definitely at a premium, and you might not have a place to store all your tools and supplies.
If that’s the case, find a soil that will expand and double or quadruple in size when water is added. Some can expand up to seven times their original size. This means you save money by purchasing a smaller quantity of soil but won’t have storage problems.
A small bag of compressed soil is much more space-efficient than the huge garden-sized ones you may see at the store. These allow you to have a thriving indoor garden and are perfect for aloe vera plants that don’t need extra soil.
Organic vs. Conventional
Most gardeners usually prefer potting soil that is made from organic ingredients. Organic usually means that harmful components like pesticides are omitted and will not damage your plant.
Not only that, but organic mixes are safe for pets and children, which is a special consideration when you store the soil indoors. Sometimes organic compounds are more expensive, but they are usually worth the few extra dollars.
Wrap Up
The secret to growing healthy plants often seems like such a mystery. To make things even more complicated, you’ve chosen to produce an aloe vera plant that is in the cactus family. Because of their unique needs, this type of plant can be notoriously challenging.
But if you start with the suitable soil to plant your aloe in, the rest becomes much more manageable. After all, the soil is the foundation of your plant and where some of the most essential parts live. To give yourself the best start, choose a soil made just for aloe plants and contains everything they need.
If you aren’t sure which is best, we suggest the Compressed Organic Potting Soil because it ticks most of our boxes. It hydrates well, is small and perfect for indoor spaces, and comes with a satisfaction guarantee. It’s even safe for children and pets if they get into your storage.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
