I inherited this plant from my ex-girlfriend. I really like the idea of having aloe Vera to use as a natural moisturizer, to eat, etc. I've been taking care of this plant for 6 weeks now and it seems to not be doing very well. I've had to cut off two "limbs" close to the base as one browned and died, and the other could no longer maintain its own weight. One of the larger limbs has developed brown spots/putting in which this white fuzzy substance has started to grow. See below pictures. I felt the soil and it is damp. I am trying not to over water this thing and only water it once a week or when the soil runs dry. It sits on a shelf that gets sunlight in the afternoon, and on cloudy days I run the plant lamp.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Does your container have drain holes?

tarev said: Does your container have drain holes?

Yes, one 1/2" diameter hole in the center.

Edit: I've attached another image of the pitting/mold growth.

Welcome Chef!
The white "mold" looks to me more like mealy bugs. I'd start by taking a q-tip dipped in rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and wiping them off. Check the plant every few days and repeat as necessary.
In my experience, a ceramic pot with a single drainage hole tends to keep the soil too wet for succulents. You need to be very careful with watering. I'd recommend backing off to every two weeks and see how it does. In cooler weather it might need even less. Water thoroughly when you do water, then let the soil get quite dry before watering again.
Aloe vera grow well in bright outdoor shade/part sun. Indoors, it's very difficult to get it enough light to stay healthy, even by a window. I'd put that grow light on a timer and give it at least 12 hours a day, regardless of sun or clouds outside. Ramp this up slowly, so the plant can adjust.
If you decide to put it outdoors, put it in a shady spot and gradually acclimatize it to the increased light levels.
Be sure to get it back indoors when temps get below about 55 F.
Welcome to the site, and good luck with the Aloe!

MsDoe said: Welcome Chef!
The white "mold" looks to me more like mealy bugs. I'd start by taking a q-tip dipped in rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and wiping them off. Check the plant every few days and repeat as necessary.
In my experience, a ceramic pot with a single drainage hole tends to keep the soil too wet for succulents. You need to be very careful with watering. I'd recommend backing off to every two weeks and see how it does. In cooler weather it might need even less. Water thoroughly when you do water, then let the soil get quite dry before watering again.
Aloe vera grow well in bright outdoor shade/part sun. Indoors, it's very difficult to get it enough light to stay healthy, even by a window. I'd put that grow light on a timer and give it at least 12 hours a day, regardless of sun or clouds outside. Ramp this up slowly, so the plant can adjust.
If you decide to put it outdoors, put it in a shady spot and gradually acclimatize it to the increased light levels.
Be sure to get it back indoors when temps get below about 55 F.
Welcome to the site, and good luck with the Aloe!

I didn't want to believe it was mealy bugs but today as I cleaned off the plant and took a closer look, I could even see them moving around. Gross. This poor thing is infested. They're in every nook and cranny imaginable. I did my best cleaning it with q-tips and 90% rubbing alcohol. Worried that the alcohol itself will kill the plant but these things seem like the plant equivalent of cancer. I cleaned each stem, the base, got into the crevice's as best I could and examined the soil. There were dozens of these little guys at the base, and inside the crevices.

I'm worried that this plant will infect my other plants. Namely, a horse crippler cactus, two more cacti that I don't recall the names of, a few pothos and philodendron. Should I be concerned? Should I just 'ditch' this plant and go to the store and get a new Aloe?

What do you guys think? I love my plants!

Yes, they can spread... you could just isolate it for awhile. It is usually advised that several treatments a week or so apart are necessary to eradicate them. You can rinse with water after the alcohol. BTW 90% is unnecessarily strong and can damage plant tissue, so dilute it with about 50% water.

Whether you decide to keep that one or get another, the two keys to aloe vera health are lots of bright light and gritty fast-draining media. Based on your description and what little I can see in the photo, your soil is too moisture retentive and/or you are overwatering (those two often go hand in hand). Switch to a bonsai mix or add cactus mix to equal part pumice. All excess water should drain right through immediately after fully saturating the media.