Yes, absolutely. From a botanical perspective, providing drainage holes for an Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) plant is not merely a suggestion but a critical requirement for its survival and long-term health. The plant's very physiology and evolutionary history demand it.
Like all plants, Aloe vera roots require oxygen for respiration, the process that generates energy for growth and nutrient uptake. In a pot without drainage, water accumulates at the bottom, saturating the soil and filling all the air pockets. This creates an anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) environment. Roots cannot function in these conditions; they begin to suffocate, cease nutrient absorption, and will eventually start to rot and die. Once the root system is compromised, the entire plant is at risk.
Aloe vera is a succulent native to the Arabian Peninsula, evolving in arid, rocky, well-draining soils. Its entire structure is an adaptation to store water efficiently and endure periods of drought. The plant's thick, fleshy leaves are its water reservoirs. In its natural habitat, infrequent but heavy rains quickly percolate through the gritty soil, leaving the root zone relatively dry. A pot without drainage holes completely subverts this natural cycle, trapping moisture around roots that are genetically programmed to expect a quick dry-down, leading to extreme stress.
Root rot is the primary killer of potted Aloe vera plants and is a direct consequence of poor drainage. It is a two-stage process. First, the constant waterlogging physically damages the roots, causing them to become soft, brown, and mushy. Second, this damaged tissue becomes highly susceptible to opportunistic soil-borne fungi, such as those from the genus Pythium or Phytophthora. These pathogens rapidly colonize and destroy the root system. The rot then often spreads upward into the stem and leaves, manifesting as a soft, discolored, collapsing plant that is frequently too far gone to save.
Tap water and fertilizers contain dissolved salts and minerals. In a pot with drainage, each watering event allows a portion of these dissolved solids to be flushed out through the holes. In a sealed pot, every application of water or fertilizer adds more salts, which concentrate in the soil as the water evaporates. This buildup can reach toxic levels, altering soil pH and causing "fertilizer burn" to the roots. This root damage further inhibits water uptake and creates entry points for disease, compounding the problems caused by overwatering.
While some plant owners use a layer of gravel at the bottom of a pot without holes in an attempt to create drainage, this is a horticultural myth. Water does not freely move from a fine-textured potting soil into a coarse gravel layer; instead, it creates a "perched water table," saturating the soil layer immediately above the gravel. The only effective way to prevent this is with a hole that allows water to exit the container entirely. Therefore, for an Aloe vera plant, a drainage hole is a non-negotiable aspect of its container, working in conjunction with a well-draining succulent potting mix to replicate its preferred dry root environment.
