The undemanding aloe vera is popular as a houseplant. In the right location it thrives without much care. New aloe plants are easy to grow from offshoots and cuttings. All you need to do is plant them in your own container.
How to plant and propagate aloe vera?
To plant aloe vera, carefully separate side shoots, allow cut surfaces to dry and plant them in a container with succulent or houseplant soil. For cuttings, place leaf pieces in a mixture of potting soil and fine sand and keep the soil evenly moist.
Aloe vera is often cultivated in Germany as a houseplant for full sun. It looks good with its smooth, shiny leaves and its yellow, red or orange flowers and can be used for skin care and as a “green pharmacy” for skin and digestive problems.
Planting and caring for aloe vera
Aloe vera needs a lot of light to thrive, ideally a window sill in full sun. If you buy your aloe vera in summer, you should still slowly accustom it to sun and bright light. Place them in an east window for a few days. This must also be taken into account for the young plants.
Before buying, you should consider whether you can offer the fast-growing plant enough space. Aloe vera should be repotted into a larger container approximately every two years. If you use good succulent soil, you save yourself having to fertilize regularly. Otherwise, the undemanding aloe vera also makes do with standard houseplant soil with a little sand and peat mixed in.
When it comes to care, there are just a few tips to keep in mind:
- ensure good drainage in the pot,
- pour vigorously directly onto the substrate, always remove excess water,
- In summer, if necessary, fertilize with universal or special fertilizer for succulents,
- do not overwinter outside.
Propagate aloe vera yourself
To propagate, carefully separate the side shoots and plant them in their own container. Beforehand, the cut surfaces of the offshoots are allowed to air dry to prevent mold from forming. You can also take cuttings from the leaves. The leaf pieces are placed in a mixture of potting soil and fine sand. Place the container bright and warm and keep the soil evenly moist.
Tips & Tricks
In order to keep the vigorous plant in shape, the side shoots and, if necessary, the outermost leaves should be cut off.
