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Aloe Vera Plant Care Tips...

Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant.

The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively medicinal plant and due to its interesting flowers, form and succulence also grown as a decorative plant.

This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low-water use gardens.

Aloe vera is hardy in heat zones. However it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow. It is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though bugs, scale insects and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health.

In pots, aloe vera requires well-drained sandy potting soil and bright sunny conditions. The use of a good quality commercial propagation mix or pre-packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended as they allow good drainage for aloe vera plant care.



Terracotta pots are preferable as they are porous too for good aloe vera plant care. Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering.

During winter, Aloe vera may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow it is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.

Aloe plants are very succulent and consist of 95% water and they are extremely frost tender. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade.

For a good aloe vera plant care, the soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.

Because of their popularity, Aloe vera plants are available at almost every garden shop or nursery. Unless you live in an area with a very mild climate, it's best to leave your Aloe plant in the pot and place it near a window that gets a lot of sun. You can move the pot outdoors during the summer months.

Aloe vera is a succulent, and as such, stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture.

During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering.

Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system so when it is time to repot choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one. Use a planter with a drainage hole, or provide a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure adequate drainage.

Use a good commercial potting mix with extra perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand added for effective aloe vera plant care. You may also use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil.

Fertilize yearly, in the spring with a dilute (half strength), bloom type fertilizer (10-40-10). Aloes are propagated by removing the offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are a couple inches tall (or larger).



The beauty of Aloe vera is that they are extremely easy to grow. Here are a few more things to keep in mind while caring for your Aloe Vera plant:

1. While mixing in fertilizer the cacti/succulent potting mix is ideal. You can always mix in 1/3 sand to 2/3 potting mix as well.

2. Do not over water your aloe! This is a very important aloe vera plant care tip. An aloe can go for months without water, but will rot if given too much. Allow the soil to become dry before giving the plant any water. During the winter the plant will become dormant and should need minimal watering.

3. Keep your aloe in a partly sunny and warm location of the house. A few hours of sun is more than enough for an Aloe Vera plant. Sitting right next to a cold window can be harmful. Keep an eye out for darkened, shriveled leaves. You also do not want to place your plant near a heating vent. Try for a warm but even temperature.

4. After winter, always put aloes outside for the summer. Introduce them to the sun gradually so they don't burn. A week or so in the shade before moving to a partly sunny location will help prevent burning. Orange discoloration or brownish spots on the leaves is a sign of too much sun.

5. Aloe Vera is cold hardy to about 45 degrees. Zones 8-10 can keep it outside. If you are in a colder zone take your plants in well before a frost, since even a light frost can kill younger aloes.

6. You can fertilize once every two months. Miracle-Gro is a good choice. Follow the directions on the package.

7. If you are harvesting the leaves you should use the outer ones first. If you don't use the leaves very often, and the outer leaves start to sag and turn brown at the tips, you can cut or gently pull them off the stem. This will help the plant keep its shape.



Aloe vera plants form offset shoots and will eventually become a clump of plants. These plants need to be removed to keep your mama plant healthy.

It is easy to tease out the small plants. Pull them out after they are 4-5" high. They have their own little root systems, and so can be potted separately and watered.

Sometimes the shoots grow attached to the mother plant. If your shoots are growing on your aloe plant you can slice them off. Let the cutting sit overnight so it has a chance to callus over.

Put 1/3 of the cutting into the soil (cut end down). Do not water the cutting heavily. Roots should start forming within a month. When you actually see it start to grow you can water it. Don't worry if it shrivels a little in the first weak or so, which is normal.

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