Believe it or not, it is very easy to care for aloe vera plants. This plant has been around for over 1000 years and still one of the most favored and most old succulent worldwide.

The plants grow at a drastic pace during the months of summer. They make great house plants. However, it is not going to find a pot for itself and trim itself up in the house. You will have to keep in mind that aloe vera like the sun but it might brown when subjected to harsh light. Moreover, they might also freeze-up during the winter months. Hence, you need to protect it from frost.

Here are some of the ways to grow and take care of your aloe vera plant.

  1. Light

When you are growing the aloe vera in the garden, it will require 2-3 hours of sun in a day. However, it is better to protect it from the scorching sun rays of the afternoon. It can get stressed from too much sunlight. In case you have it as an indoor plant, make sure that it gets as much exposure as possible.

This isn’t a plant that grows in low light and the leaves are going to droop. You will have to keep it away from any kind of hot glass since it is going to burn the leaves. Place it near the window but not on it. Aloe Vera mostly thrives in home temperature; between 55 to 80°F.

  1. Watering

Irrespective of where you are growing your aloe vera plant, make sure that it dries it completely prior to watering it again. Whenever you water, do it thoroughly and ensure that it drains out. Water shouldn’t be sitting on the pot. In the summertime, you can water the plant once or twice every two weeks.

In wintertime, it might require even less watering, water once in two months in winter. If you end up water excessively, the roots and the leaves that are full of water might rot out.

But if you are to put your Aloe Vera plant indoors, it requires a different watering regimen. Water the plant once a month during the summer if it is indoors and once every 2 months during winter. But remember that the schedule and how often do you water your plant also depends on its size, the type of pot, soil, and the environmental condition.

  1. Soiling

When you are done with watering, you will have to ensure that the mix in the plant is draining well. Succulent and a cactus mix is a great option. Use this when you plant aloe vera in a container. When the aloe vera has proper soiling, it will have green and plump leaves.

  1. Fertilizing

Like most of the succulent, none of them is actually necessary.

  • Dress your plant with a layer of worm casting when spring comes.
  • Repeat the same procedure with the indoor plants.
  • You can use a balanced houseplant food in liquid form once in the springtime.
  • However, make sure that you do not over-fertilize it. Also, avoid doing these in the darker and colder months. This is because the plants rest during this season.
  1. Propagating
  • You have to do this by dividing the offsets that you will find at the bottom portion of the main plant. A majority of the succulents will be able to propagate by leaf or stem cuttings but this is not the case with aloe vera. This plant doesn’t have any stem and the leaves are filled with gel.
  • As a general rule, you have to wait until the offset is 1/5 of the size of the main plant and numerous true leaves.
  • However, if it is a large aloe, you can remove the pups when it is small but it needs to have enough leaves. Make sure that the pup is mature enough to root the plant.
  1. Pruning
  • Prune the spent flower stalks and remove the fleshy leaves.
  • Cut in 1-2 inch intervals since this will not harm the plant.
  1. Pests
  • When it comes to pests, treat outdoor plants with orange aphids at the end of the summer season. Indoor plants can have scales and bugs.
  • Take a cotton swab and wipe the leaves. Prepare a mixture of a little alcohol and water; soak the cotton and wipe off bugs.
  • Remove the scale with a dull knife.

TIPS:

  • Before planting Aloe Vera or repotting, make sure to choose the best material for your pot. A pot made of Terracota is highly recommended as this will drain the water thoroughly. A well-draining pot is the key to keep your Aloe Vera plant healthy.
  • Choosing the right pot size is also worth considering since the Aloe Vera leaves or stems tend to grow bigger. Having a deeper and wider pot size will give enough room of the new stems to thrive.
  • Also use a well-draining potting mix such as lava rock, chunks of trunk, and perlite.

Do aloe plants need direct sunlight?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. However, the plant doesn’t appreciate sustained direct sunlight, as this tends to dry out the plant too much and turn its leaves yellow. Keep the aloe vera plant in a pot near a kitchen window for periodic use but avoid having the sun’s rays hit it directly.

How do you grow aloe vera indoors?

Place aloe plants near a sunny window where they receive plenty of indirect sunlight, such as a few feet from a south- or west-facing window. Too much bright, direct sunlight can brown aloe’s leaves. Rotate the pot once or twice a week so that all sides of the aloe receive equal lighting.

How often should you water an aloe plant?

On average, watering an aloe once per week is enough, but if plants are exposed to extreme sunlight and heat, a touch test is necessary. This is the easiest way to tell if the soil is too dry. Simply insert your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If it is dry, water the plant.

Should I cut the brown tips off my aloe plant?

Trim off any leaf tips or whole leaves that have turned pinkish-brown. These parts are dying, so removing them helps the aloe plant stay healthy and green. Use a knife for small and medium-sized plants, or sheers for large, thick leaves. The exposed end of the leaf will seal up on its own in time.

Can you replant a broken aloe leaf?

To keep your aloe vera plant from breaking, make sure not to overwater it. Additionally, make sure that it gets enough sunlight and is not left out in the cold. Put it in a new pot if its current pot is shallow or does not have a drainage hole. You can replant broken leaves after letting them dry.

Does aloe vera regrow after cutting?

Do aloe vera leaves grow back? The leaves that have been cut won’t actually regenerate, but the plant will continue to grow new baby leaves that will take the place of the cut leaves.

How can I make my aloe vera grow bigger?

Sunlight. The one thing I’ve learned from having several aloe vera plants is that they grow well when they have a lot of light. Without enough sunlight, over time the plant will grow to be tall and spindly, rather than full, with healthy leaves. The ideal window for the aloe is one that’s south or west facing.

How do you cut an aloe vera plant without killing it?

How to Cut an Aloe Vera Plant Without Killing it
  1. Avoid Using a Blunt Blade. Always use a clean and sharp serrated blade for cutting your aloe plant. Rub alcohol on the blade as it will reduce the chance of disease and fungal infections.
  2. Trim it When Required. You don’t have to prune the plant frequently.

How long do aloe plants live?

Aloe vera plants can live for up to twelve years. That’s a decent amount of time for a plant! That also means that it takes some time before your aloe vera pups reach the stage where you can harvest their leaves for gel.

Do aloe vera plants need big pots?

Aloe plants can range in size from very small ones that can fit comfortably in a 3-inch pot to large plants that need a 6-inch diameter pot or larger. Choosing the best pots for proper growth and care keeps aloe plants as healthy as possible.

Can you eat aloe vera?

Aloe Vera Leaves Are Generally Safe to Eat

While most people apply the gel to their skin, it’s also safe to eat when prepared right. Aloe vera gel has a clean, refreshing taste and can be added to a variety of recipes, including smoothies and salsas.

What does an overwatered aloe plant look like?

Overwatering Aloe Vera

When an aloe plant is being overwatered, the leaves develop what are called water-soaked spots that look soggy and soft. It is almost as though the entire leaf becomes saturated with water, then it turns to mush.

How do you treat a dying aloe vera plant?

To correct any water issues, repot the plant in a well-draining soil that is at least half gritty material such as sand or pumice. Once the plant is out of soil, check the roots for any rot and remove. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch when you insert a finger to the second knuckle.

What do rotten aloe roots look like?

Rot often appears as brown, water-soaked spots, soft, oozy tissue or leaves that are brown or black and drying up. Brush off as much dirt as possible from the roots and remove any roots that are black or dark brown, because they are already infected or deceased.

How do you revive a dying aloe vera plant?

For aloes that have been in the shade for too long the leaves are too weakened to stand back up again and no amount of sunlight can fix it. The only way to revive it is to take cuttings from the healthiest looking leaves for propagation. Aloe can propagate from drooping leaves and produce a strong new plant.

Can aloe vera recover from overwatering?

What Does an Over-watered Aloe Plant Look Like? Drooping leaves with a soft soggy feel are a clear sign of overwatering, but this condition can be reversed with some fairly simple techniques.

Why are the leaves falling off my aloe plant?

Aloe should have at least six hours a day of strong, direct sunlight. Lack of sunlight can weaken the leaves and cause them to flop. Too much water can also be an issue and lead to an aloe plant flopping over. A simple watering strategy for aloe is to wait for the soil to dry out entirely and then wet it completely.

How do I know if my aloe plant is healthy?

Aloe vera needs bright, natural light to grow and thrive. It isn’t a low light houseplant. Lack of light causes the plant to weaken and the leaves may crease or bend at the base or in the middle. A leggy growth habit and/or pale leaves are other indications of insufficient light.