Growing Aloe Vera in Kwale
Soil suitability analysis based on Kwale's nutrient profile
Yes — Kwale is well suited to Aloe Vera. Kwale's soil (pH 6.76, near-neutral) gives Aloe Vera a suitability score of 78/100. Match fertilizer to Kwale's nitrogen and phosphorus levels for the best result.
Kwale County is well suited to Aloe Vera, scoring 78/100 on ShambaIQ's soil-match model. Local soils average pH 6.76 — neutral and inside the 6–8 band Aloe Vera prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.93 g/kg, P 9.8 mg/kg, K 131 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 #41 soil match of the 106 crops we assess for Kwale 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 | Kwale soil | Aloe Vera needs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.76 | 6–8 | OK |
| Nitrogen | 0.93 g/kg | min 0.5 g/kg | OK |
| Phosphorus | 9.8 mg/kg | min 6 mg/kg | OK |
| Potassium | 131 mg/kg | min 150 mg/kg | Low |
| Rainfall | 900 mm | 250–700 mm | High |
| Altitude | 200 m | 0–2,000 m | OK |
Planting calendar for Kwale
Long Rains· April–JuneMain season here
Short Rains· November–January
Top dressing guide
Kwale's nitrogen (0.93 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