How to Grow Aloe Vera | Ultimate Guide

Aloe Vera – What You Need to Know

Aloe vera is a popular cultivar from the Aloe genus and is a perfect indoor and outdoor companion. Aloe vera is a powerful medicinal plant used for centuries to treat burns, scrapes, rashes, sunburns and skin irritations. However, it’s important not to ingest aloe vera. 

The key ingredient, however, to growing thick and juicy aloe’s is to ensure the correct growing conditions. Provide too much light, or overwater and you’ll have a very sad aloe plant on your hands. 

Best Types of Aloe to Grow

There are a lot of aloe vera varieties for you to choose from. Some great options include: 

• Tiger/ Partridge Breasted Aloe (Aloe Variegata)
• Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)
• Blue Aloe (Aloe glauca)

Aloe Vera Benefits

Aloe vera plants are not only great for in your home and garden. For centuries aloe vera has been used as a medicinal plant to treat various health conditions.

While aloe vera gels and ointments are generally available, when you’re growing aloe vera at home, you can make use of the plant in your everyday.

Aloe vera can be used topically or internally, and here are a few ways you can use aloe vera at home:

Treat and Heal Burns

Aloe vera has powerful cooling, soothing and moisturizing properties – which makes it a fantastic natural treatment for burns and scalds.

Improve Digestive Health

Some studies have shown that ingesting aloe vera can soothe stomach ailments and calm the effect of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Clear Acne

Rubbing fresh aloe onto your face after cleansing can actually help you clear up acne. It can also help to cool and soothe inflammation. Aloe can also assist with Psoriasis.

Easing Heartburn

Aloe vera has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it can also be used to soothe the effects of heartburn.

How to Grow Aloe Vera

When growing aloe vera, you will need to focus on providing the right kind of conditions for your aloe. That means enough light, well-drained soil and some occasional watering. 

Aloe vera plants enjoy a lot of warmth and direct light (whether natural or artificial). A south-facing window often offers the ideal spot. Should you notice your aloe leaves start to yellow, you’ll know it’s not receiving enough sun. 

You’ll also need to ensure overtly dry conditions. Choose a well-draining potting mix such as cactus potting mix or a perlite-heavy mix.

Planting Aloe Vera

Before you start planting or re-potting your aloe, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything together. 

When choosing a pot, consider something like a terracotta pot. Any porous pot will do best. You’ll also want something with a few drainage holes. The pot should be equally as wide as it is deep. 

Then:

• Place a small layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom of the pot. Ensure that these are loosely packed together to allow for airflow and drainage. 
• Remove your aloe from the existing pot and tousle the roots free. If you like, you can dust the roots with a rooting hormone to encourage vigorous growth. 
• Place the root ball into the pot and begin to backfill with a porous soil mixture. Try to leave at least a ¾ inch of the top of the pot free. 
• Leave your aloe alone for a few days. Do not start to water. 

How to Propagate Aloe Vera from Pups

The most popular method of propagation is by means of aloe vera offsets or pups. These smaller plants tend to regularly grow off of the mother plant and are a quick, easy and cost-effective way to propagate. 

To propagate your pup, you will need: 

• A sharp blade or knife. 
• Garden gloves. 
• A smaller pot with a perlite soil mixture. 
• Rooting hormone. 

Step 1. Using a pair of gloves, remove your entire aloe plant from the pot, and gentle tousle the roots loose. 

Step 2. Locate the pups around the base of the parent plant. Untangle the pups from the parent plant in cases where they may be harder to get loose; simply use a sharp blade and cut them free at the base. 

Step 3. Cutaway any negative roots from the pup, should there be any. Dip the pups into a rooting hormone and plant into the soil. Leave to root. 

Propagating Aloe Vera from Leaf Cutting

Another option with a slightly lower success rate is to remove a leaf cutting and propagate a new plant from it. 

For this method, you will need: 

• A sharp blade or knife. 
• A smaller pot with a perlite soil mixture. 
• Rooting hormone. 

Step 1. Using a sharp blade, remove a leaf from an existing, healthy aloe vera plant. This does not need to be the whole leaf; it could even just be the tip. 

Step 2. Leave the leaf to dry out and scab for a few days. 

Step 3. Dip the scabbed end into a rooting hormone and either plant it into the soil, or leave it to lie on the surface of the soil. After some time, it will begin to produce roots and can then be planted. 

Aloe Vera Care Guide

Your aloe vera won’t require much care. However, it is essential not to overwater your aloe. Watering should be infrequent. It is advised to give your aloe a deep soak and then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. 

Watering during the dormant season can be little to none. While not necessary, you can support your aloe with some occasional fertilizer.

A water-soluble fertilizer that is phosphorus heavy is best. Aloe vera plants do also enjoy a slightly warmer ambient temperature. So, if growing in colder regions, attempt to keep the ambient temperature around 55° to 80°F. 

How to Get Your Aloe Vera to Flower

Unless you live in an area with ideal outdoor aloe conditions, getting your aloe to flower can be near impossible. However, when they do flower, it is quite a spectacle to see.

Some varieties of aloe produce an occasional flower spike, which is bright and beautiful. Flowering is rare, especially when kept as a houseplant. 

For your aloe vera to flower, it will need lots of sunlight, warm temperatures and lots of rest during the dormant season. Even so, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t flower.

How to Harvest Aloe Vera for At-Home Use

Aloe vera plants are pretty easy to harvest from, allowing you to make use of the plant and juice. Be sure to only harvest from a mature, healthy aloe vera plant – this will ensure a high concentration of active chemicals.

Here is what you’ll need to do:

• Remove 2 to 3 leaves at a time. Choose the larger, thicker leaves which grow on the outer sections. (Avoid harvesting from the same plant too often to avoid damaging the plant).
• Check the leaves to ensure they are free of mold or damage.
• Try to cut near the base of the leaf without affecting the roots.
• Wash the leaves and allow them to dry.
• Using a sharp blade, gently trim away the prickly edges.
• Then, use the blade to gentle peel or separate the outer leaf from the interior gel.

Then, you can choose how you wish to use or store your aloe gel. Whether cubed, sliced or blended, be sure to store your aloe vera gel in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

Pests, Problems & Diseases

Aloe’s are quite hardy, so you shouldn’t find yourself with too many issues. Still, aloe vera plants can sometimes suffer from: 

• Mealybugs
• Scale
• Root Rot
• Soft Rot
• Fungal Stem Rot
• Leaf Rot

Many of these issues are a result of overwatering. So, as long as you keep your watering under control, you should be problem-free. 

Are you looking for other succulents to add to the mix? Here are a few succulent options to choose from.