Growing Aloe Vera in Kilifi
Soil suitability analysis based on Kilifi's nutrient profile
Yes — Kilifi is well suited to Aloe Vera. Kilifi's soil (pH 6.24, slightly acidic) gives Aloe Vera a suitability score of 81/100. Match fertilizer to Kilifi's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kilifi County is well suited to Aloe Vera, scoring 81/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.24 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 6–8 band Aloe Vera prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.8 g/kg, P 11 mg/kg, K 109 mg/kg against this crop's low/low/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly sandy loam soils suit Aloe Vera, which favours sandy loam. On ShambaIQ's soil-match model, Aloe Vera is the #32 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kilifi County. At current prices (about KES 40/kg) and a typical 12,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Aloe Vera crop here can gross roughly KES 480,000 per acre.
Soil & climate match
| Factor | Kilifi soil | Aloe Vera needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.24 | 6–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.8 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 109 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 700 mm | 250–700 mm | OK |
| Altitude | 150 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kilifi
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kilifi's nitrogen (0.8 g/kg) already meets Aloe Vera's 0.5 g/kg requirement, so this is a maintenance rate.
Economics
Fertilizer prices
Green = subsidized · (Commercial) per 50kg bag