Buying guide

Buy an Aloe Vera Online: Sizes, What to Check, and Where to Buy

By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research · Report an error

A sun-loving succulent with fleshy, serrated leaves. It needs your sunniest window and very little water.

Is an aloe vera right for you?

It suits you if you can give it bright light with direct sun and you are happy to water when soil is completely dry. Difficulty: Easy. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach or choose a pet-safe plant instead. Not sure? Try the Plant Finder.

Similar plants to consider: Monstera, Pothos, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant.

Sizes and what you will receive

Online shops sell plants by nursery pot diameter: about 4 in (small, shelf), 6 in (desk or table), 8-10 in (small floor plant) and 12 in and up (floor statement). Height varies a lot within one pot size, so read the listed height too. A mature aloe vera can reach 1-2 ft and growth is slow, so a smaller plant will take time to fill out; buy closer to the size you want.

What to check when buying: a healthy aloe vera

• Firm, evenly colored leaves with no mushy stems at the soil line.
• Soil that is not sour-smelling or waterlogged when it arrives.
• No webbing, sticky residue or tiny moving insects under the leaves.
• Roots, if you peek, that are pale and firm rather than brown and soft.

Problems to know about before buying:

• Thin, pale leaves: Not enough sun.
• Mushy leaves: Overwatering.
• Brown leaves: Sudden sunburn after moving outside.

Prices

We do not quote prices until we have checked them. They change with pot size, season and sales. To compare fairly, compare the same pot size and check whether a decorative pot and shipping are included.

Shipping and seasonal risks

Succulents handle transit well, but still dislike freezing temperatures. In winter, order from a shop that adds heat packs or holds shipments in freezing weather, and bring the box inside as soon as it arrives. Summer heat in a delivery truck can also damage plants, so avoid long weekends in transit.

Your first week after delivery

1. Unbox right away and photograph any damage; most guarantees need photos within a set window.
2. Water only if the soil is dry; many plants arrive already moist.
3. Give it bright light with direct sun, but avoid harsh direct sun for a few days.
4. Keep it away from other plants for one to two weeks in case of pests.
5. Wait two to four weeks before repotting. Full care guide: Aloe Vera care.

Where to buy an aloe vera online, and why

We list a shop only after confirming it currently lists this plant (checked 21 Oct 2026). Stock changes daily. We may earn a commission from some links; it never decides what we list. Disclosure.

Compare shipping and guarantee terms side by side in Online plant shop policies compared.