em4plants, Hello! My aloe vera was my first houseplant; my mom let me pick out something at the nursery when I was about 12 years old, and that was the one. I still have it, amazingly. It's been through a lot as I've learned how to care for plants. The most important thing my aloe has taught me is to absolutely NEVER overwater it, especially in the wintertime. Mine isn't that thrilled with me because it wants more light, but it's gotten so big and unruly I have to keep it where it fits, which unfortunately is currently in a north window. So, really porous soil that will drain well, minimal watering, and lots of light. As for your growing habit questions, I'm not sure about that. I wish mine would do the upright thing more than it is! We can never be satisifed, can we? lol FF

to be honest it looks like a type of aloe we had in Arizona and they did have this yellow inside. It is a yellow flowering one, and if you are doing the watering as you say it might be ok. The cut open leaf looks pretty healthy, and just like this other one. Since you got it awhile ago, you might have got this different type. Check this link I posted here, the aloe you have may be this one. Here is a link that might be useful: Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis?

Aloes are a succulent and prefer a very fast draining, mineral based soil. I doubt your plant would be at all happy or last for long with the very peaty, moisture retentive soil of Natures Care/Miracle Gro and even more so with the" moisture control" additives. Your worries are well founded. So no adding organic matter :-) In fact, I would encourage you to consider something like the gritty mix or at the very least a cactus mix. But not Miracle Gro's cactus mix - that isn't even marginally better than their regular stuff.

Hi all, The cat litter is the approved Tesco low dust that is popular with Bonsai growers. It is not clumping. I have received the water soluable Miracle Gro. I will use it once per month during this dormant season rather than the usual two weeks, with one watering every week on the large plant and every two weeks on the pups. Size of the chick flint grit is about 3-5mm on average as is with the rest of the mix. Should the mix continue to stay wet more than expected, I will try some larger stuff I have. @ewwmayo No, though I prefer rain water to any tap water when possible. When it's not plentiful saving it seems ideal. I will stop reusing. Unfortunately two of the oldest leaves have started dying at the base and a few inches up the leaf itself. It's dark at the base and the leaf surface is brown and extremely dry, like a past harvest corn plant(or dead corn plant for that matter). I think more of the oldest leaves will fall away eventually. It may be a sign the plant is trying to get rid of the old and sick parts so it can continue growing.