Last Updated on June 7, 2022 by Real Men Sow
Aloe vera, also known as Aloe barbadensis or Barbados aloe, is a well-known house plant that has spiky big leaves and serrated edges. It is a succulent, which comes from hot, dry regions around the world and stores water in its leaves. Growing aloe vera is an ideal, low-maintenance plant for beginners.
Can you use aloe vera on your skin?
Aloe vera, the first-aid plant, is also used to soothe skin irritations, burns, sunburns, skin irritations, insect bites, and sunburns. Take a leaf from the base and cut it down to its length. Then, rub the sap directly onto your skin.
Best Place To Grow Aloe Vera
Aloes are great on their own, but they also look great when combined with succulents or cacti in bright spots. You can also plant your aloe outdoors in summer. Although it may produce a yellow tubular bloom, its main purpose is to be attractive.
How To Grow Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is best grown in bright spots. Overwatering aloe vera plants can kill aloes, so be sparing with your watering. Only water when the compost is dry to the top, and let any excess water drain off completely. In Winter, refrain from watering.
How To Plant Aloe Vera
Terracotta pots are ideal for Aloe vera because they are porous and allow the soil to dry between watering. It should have a drainage hole and make sure the pot is the same size as your root ball. You can use cactus or house plant compost or an ordinary, peat-free multipurpose compost with some perlite or horticultural grit. A layer of grit can be added to the compost to keep it dry and prevent it from rotting.
Where To Grow Aloe Vera
An Aloe vera is best placed on a bright windowsill or shelf. You can give it some direct sunlight, but not too much.
How Do I Care For An Aloe Vera Plant
Aloe vera is a succulent, which means that they keep water in their leaves. You should not overwater them and water only when the compost is dry. The water should be drained completely, and also don’t leave the plant in water because this could cause roots to rot. Winter is the driest season for Aloes.
When Should I Repot Aloe Vera
Aloes grow slowly so it is important to repot the plant when it has outgrown its container. This happens usually every two to three years. From April to September, feed your plants every few months with weak food. To prevent the accumulation of dust, wipe the leaves often.
How To Propagate Aloe Vera
Aloes can be easily propagated from the offsets, the baby plants that appear at their base.
- Wait until the offsets reach a fifth the size of your parent plant
- Gently lift the entire plant from its pot. If there are roots, gently pull them apart. Allow the base to dry for several days if there are no roots. Alternatively, you can remove the offsets using a sharp knife
- Each plant should be rooted in cactus or multipurpose compost.
- Allow water to drain out, and then fill the well with water.
Issues When Growing Aloe Vera
Your plant may be experiencing red leaves due to too much sunlight. Therefore, you should only place it in a sunny spot where there is no direct sunlight. If your plant has wrinkled leaves, it means that it is low on water. After a few days, water lightly and mist the leaves. Do not saturate the compost because they don’t like sitting in wet, cold compost.\
Aloe Vera Leaves Turn Yellow
Your aloe vera plant could have yellow or pale leaves, which could indicate that it has not been getting enough sunlight or is overwatered. Overwatering can cause brown or mushy foliage. You may notice scale insects On the leaves, they will look like small brown blobs about 5mm in length. Use a cotton pad soaked with organic insecticide to remove the leaves.
Varieties Of Aloe Vera To Grow
- Aloe ‘Lime Fizz’ – an unusual plant that has orange raised markings along the edges and sides of the leaves. (H x S: 15cm x 30cm)
- Aloe Arborescens (Torch Aloe) – a large, succulent, toothed, and sword-shaped aloe. It produces tall, red, torch-like flowers in the summer. They are similar to red hot poker. (H x S: 4m x 2m)
- Aloe ‘Red Sparkler’ – a bronze-green leaf heavily spotted with white and small white teeth at the leaf edge. Summer flowers are tall and slender with white tips. (H x S: 30cm by 30cm)
- Aloe Polyphylla Or Spiral Aloe – a highly sought-after aloe because it has beautiful spiral-shaped leaves and is highly prized. This aloe is unique in that it requires more water than most varieties, and can withstand temperatures below freezing. To help water run off, grow it in a pot that is slightly angled or on its side against a stone wall. (H x S 50cm x50cm)
