Aloe vera care in Melbourne

Which window suits an aloe vera

In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:

• N

  North-facing window

  2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• E

  East-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark
• S

  South-facing window

  1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backToo dark

  Far sideToo dark
• W

  West-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideToo dark

A Melbourne year with an aloe vera

If something looks wrong

• Soft, mushy base or leaves

  Too much water: the usual way these are lost. Let the soil dry right out, and in winter water only every 28 days or so.

• Long, stretched stems

  Not enough light. Give it the brightest window you have, right on the sill.

• Leaning towards the window

  It grows towards the light. A quarter turn every two weeks keeps it even.

• Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves

  Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.

Plants that like the same light

• Jade plant
• Christmas cactus
• Fiddle leaf fig
• Snake plant
• Rubber plant
• Bird of paradise