This super-useful plant has been doted on over the years due to its healing effects of soothing sunburns and hydration for the skin. It is extremely easy to grow your aloe vera. Suppose you are new to the plant world or a pro-plant parent. This blog will help you know how to care for aloe vera plants.
Aloe Vera is a succulent with thick, green leaves spreading out from the center. The edges of the leaves have tiny teeth. Before getting an aloe plant, check a spot with bright, indirect sunlight (or artificial light). The sun might dry out the plant or bring an overall yellowish color over all your aloe. Water your aloe plant when it is in very bright sunlight. Watering that plant more often can make things go faster for quicker recovery.
Choosing the correct potting container for your aloe vera plant is essential. Terracotta or other porous materials work best, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and are heavy enough to keep the plant upright. Plastic or glazed pots are also suitable but hold a lot of moisture.
The pot should have at least one hole at the bottom. This is essential because excess water drains out, and the roots won't sit in the water. Rot and wilting are common causes of death for an Aloe Vera plant. Since Aloe Vera is a succulent, use a well-draining potting mix designed for cacti or succulents. Avoid regular gardening soil. A good mix will contain perlite, lava rock, or chunks of bark. There is no need to add another layer at the bottom in the form of gravel or clay balls, as the hole itself will work for drainage purposes. These materials just take up space the roots could use. You can determine what to use Grow Pot vs Planter for your Aloe Vera.
Optional: Dust the plant's stem with rooting hormone powder. Rooting hormones can be purchased at most garden centers, hardware stores, and online stores.
Clean your pot correctly to initiate the process of repotting. Allow it totally to dry out.
A small screen fits over the drainage hole to prevent soil from escaping while allowing it to drain correctly. Alternatively, you can use a double-up paper towel or newspaper, although these will eventually break down.
It requires bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light, and would prefer a western or southern window. Aloe Vera plants become leggy if they receive too little light. The ideal temperature for the plant is between 55°F and 80°F (13°C to 27°C), which is typical for most homes.
Transfer it to your patio in the warmer months, like May to September, and bring it back in cool months when nights grow. Repot an aloe only if it has a root-bound situation, which can be done accordingly during planting. It is one of the low-maintenance outdoor plants.
Watering aloe vera can be tricky, but the plant is generous once you understand its necessities. Although aloe vera is a succulent bred to grow in dry weather, its thick leaves contain water and need some sustenance to stay healthy. Water your Aloe profoundly but infrequently.
The soil should feel moist after watering it, but it needs to dry out before you water again. For example, if your pot has 6 inches of soil, wait until the top 2 inches are dry before adding more water (you can test this by sticking your finger into the soil). Typically, you should water your Aloe every 2–3 weeks in the spring and summer and less frequently during the fall and winter. Follow our plant care tips for healthy indoor succulents.
This produces plantlets, also called pups, which are copies of the mother plant; when removed, these can also be grown to form another Aloe vera plant. Delineate the pups, looking at the attachment point between them and the main plant, and carefully cut them off with pruning shears, scissors, or a sharp knife, leaving at least an inch of the stem attached to the pup.
Leave the pups in an indirectly lit, warm place for a few days to allow the cut ends to begin callusing, preventing rot from becoming established. Once the calluses are established, pot the pups in a well-draining succulent potting mix. Keep the potted pups in a sunny spot and wait at least a week before watering. The soil should remain dry during this initial period to help the new plants settle in.
Aloe vera is a plant that has many benefits for skin and health. Its gel, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, can cool and heal sunburns, moisturize without making the skin oily, and reduce acne. It also promotes hair growth, keeps the scalp healthy, and reduces dandruff. Aloe vera benefits the digestive system by assisting digestion and easing constipation. It also improves immunity and reduces wrinkles by producing more collagen. It can aid oral health by fighting bacterial infections and soothing gum-related problems.
We are licensed for a full-scale nursery with an extensive inventory of landscaping trees, fruit trees, palm trees, and the most extensive houseplant collection. If you want to enhance your curb appeal or turn your porch into a class act, Eureka Farms can guide you on how to do it all, from topiary trees and hedges to everything in between. You can rest assured that we will handle the shipment with the utmost care across the country so that when your plants reach you, they will be as fresh as new. These indoor plants require less upkeep, improve home air cleanliness, brighten moods, and provide essential touches of the natural world to the work-from-home office. Happy Planting!
