Growing an aloe vera plant is very simple, while planting it can be a little more complicated. Unlike other succulents, it is difficult to reproduce aloe vera from a single leaf: the chances of it generating roots and growing healthy are slim. For this reason, most gardeners choose to multiply aloe vera via the shoots (suckers) that grow around the base of the plant, generally achieving a good result.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reproduce Aloe Vera from a Leaf
Step 1. Understand that the leaf may not be able to generate roots and grow
Although it is possible to reproduce aloe vera by cuttings, the chances of a single leaf producing roots are very low. Aloe vera leaves contain a high percentage of liquids and tend to rot before generating roots. Reproducing the plant from a shoot gives greater guarantees.
Step 2. Find an aloe leaf that is at least three inches long
If you don't personally own a plant to cut it from, ask the owner's permission before doing so.
Step 3. Cut the leaf at the base using a clean, sharp knife
Try to separate it from the plant by moving the blade from top to bottom, creating a diagonal cut on the leaf. Remember that the knife must be perfectly clean otherwise you risk infecting the leaf.
Step 4. Place the leaf in a warm place, long enough for a patina to form on the severed part
It may only take a few days or even a couple of weeks. The patina will protect the leaf, reducing the risk of it becoming infected with the soil. If the leaf were to become infected, it would not survive for long.
Step 5. Find a vase with holes in the bottom to prevent water from stagnating
Like most plants, aloe vera loves being watered, but hates standing water. If you use a pot without holes in the bottom, the soil will remain soggy and the roots may rot causing the plant to die. In general, aloe vera is a hardy plant, but standing water can kill it easily.
Step 6. Take a specific soil for cacti and succulent plants and moisten it with water
If you don't have a suitable type of soil for succulents, you can prepare it yourself by combining sand and garden soil in equal parts.
- Consider adding a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot to help improve water drainage.
- The pH of the soil should be between 6 and 8. If it is not high enough, add some garden lime. You can buy it at stores that sell gardening items.
Step 7. Insert the leaf into the soil with the cut side facing down
Make sure about a third of the leaf is inserted into the soil.
Consider dipping the base of the leaf in a mixture of rooting hormones. If you don't want to buy one of the products on the market, you can use cinnamon or honey and get a similar result although the action is different, since the rooting hormones chemically induce the formation of roots. You can also try combining rooting hormones with honey to ensure aloe benefits from both. If you don't want to use a chemical, another solution is to make a DIY root stimulant using parts of the willow plant (search online for how to do this)
Step 8. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot, then water the soil carefully
For the first four weeks or so, you will need to keep the soil moist. After transplanting the leaf, you will instead have to wait until it is completely dry before watering it again. To learn how to take care of your aloe vera plant from here on, click here.
Don't worry if the leaf withers or dries up as the roots develop
Method 2 of 3: Reproduce Aloe Vera from a Sprout
Step 1. Choose a sprout
The shoots, better known as "suckers", are an integral part of the main plant. They are generally smaller and brighter green, and they also have their own roots. Look for them around the base of the plant. Here are some tips that can help you during your selection:
- Choose a shoot that is one-fifth the size of the main plant.
- Choose one that has at least four leaves and is several inches tall.
Step 2. Remove the entire plant from the pot if possible
This will make it easier to identify where the sprout is connected to the plant. You will probably need to clear the roots of the soil in order to better observe the sucker. It may be attached to the main plant, but it should still have its own roots.
Step 3. Separate or cut the sprout from the main plant, but be careful to keep the roots intact
It may come off easily, but if not, you will have to cut it using a knife with a sterile, sharp blade (sterilize it with ethyl alcohol, which does not harm the plant). Let the wound heal for a few days before moving on to prevent possible infections.
- The shoot must be complete with some roots.
- After separating it from the main plant, the latter can return to its original pot.
Step 4. Choose a vase with holes in the bottom to prevent water from stagnating
Like most plants, aloe vera loves being watered, but hates standing water. If you use a pot without holes in the bottom, the soil will stay soggy and the roots could rot causing the plant to die.
Step 5. Choose a specific soil for cacti and succulent plants and moisten it with water
If you don't have a suitable type of soil for succulents, you can prepare it yourself by combining sand and garden soil in equal parts.
- It is advisable to add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the pot to promote better water drainage.
- The pH of the soil should be between 6 and 8. If it is not high enough, add some garden lime. You can buy it at stores that sell gardening items.
Step 6. Make a small hole in the ground and insert the sprout into it
The excavation will need to be deep enough to accommodate both the roots and a quarter of the sucker (from where the roots start to the top). Many experienced gardeners recommend soaking the roots in a mixture of rooting hormones before placing them in the soil to promote faster growth.
Step 7. Crush the soil around the seedling and water it
Use enough water to keep it moist, but not soggy. Aloe vera is a plant that comes from desert regions, so it doesn't need a lot of water.
Step 8. Place the pot in a sunny spot and wait a week before watering the soil again
From then on, you will be able to bathe the aloe vera on a regular basis. To learn how to take care of your aloe vera plant from here on, click here.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Aloe Vera
Step 1. Make sure it gets plenty of natural light
Ideally, aloe vera should be exposed to sunlight for 8-10 hours a day. You can give it the right amount of sunlight by placing it next to a south- or west-facing window. If necessary, move the plant from window to window throughout the day.
If you live in a place where the weather is cold, remove aloe vera from the window overnight. The perimeter of the house tends to be colder and your plant may be affected and die
Step 2. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering it again
When you wet the plant, check that it is evenly wet and check that the water is able to drain freely from the holes in the bottom of the pot. Be careful not to soak it.
- Aloe vera tends to remain dormant during the winter months, so it will need less water.
- During the summer months you will need to water it more often, especially in the driest and hottest periods.
Step 3. Fertilize the soil once a year during the spring
Use a water-based, phosphorus-rich fertilizer and do not exceed half the recommended dosage.
Step 4. Watch out for insects, diseases and fungi
Use a natural organic insecticide to keep pests away from the plant, for example to defend it from scale insects. You can avoid fungal attack by taking care to keep the soil dry.
If you notice that aloe has been attacked by mealybugs, you can remove them with a cotton swab dipped in ethyl alcohol
Step 5. Keep an eye on the leaves
They are an excellent indicator of the health and needs of the plant.
- Aloe vera leaves should be straight and full. If you notice them starting to shrivel or sag, give the plant more water.
- Aloe vera leaves should grow vertically. If they bend, the plant needs more sunlight.
Step 6. Take action if the plant grows too slowly
It may happen that aloe vera does not grow very well, but fortunately it is easy to understand what is wrong and it is even easier to solve the most common problems.
- If the soil is too wet, water the plant less often.
- If the plant needs more sunlight, move it to a brighter spot.
- If you have added too much fertilizer, transfer the plant to a new pot and add more potting soil.
- The soil may be too alkaline, if so add a sulfate based fertilizer to acidify it.
- If the roots don't have enough room to grow, transfer the aloe to a larger pot.
Advice
- Try placing white pebbles on the soil around the aloe vera plant. They will reflect the sun's rays in the direction of the leaves.
- Do not use the leaves until the plant is fully established. If you intend to use the gel for medicinal purposes, it is best to wait about two months.
- Aloe vera grows in the direction of the sun, so it may expand sideways. Consider turning the pot often so that it grows straight.
- If kept indoors, aloe vera will not grow very large unless it is exposed to direct sunlight and watered properly. With proper care, it can exceed 60 centimeters in a simple vase.
- Only plant aloe vera outdoors if you live in a place where the climate allows it, otherwise keep it indoors.
Warnings
- Make sure the knife used to cut the leaf or shoot is clean and disinfected.
- Remove dead leaves with a clean knife to prevent them from rotting or moldy.
- Don't overwater the aloe vera plant, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering it again.
- Proceed with caution when removing a leaf or bud from a large aloe plant, it may have very hard and sharp thorns.
