In the cultural history of various peoples, Aloe vera was considered a medicinal plant. Its leaves were used as a remedy for indigestion, wound healing and skin care. After a phase of oblivion, aloe vera is enjoying great popularity again.
How do I care for an aloe vera houseplant?
As an aloe vera houseplant, it requires lots of light, well-drained soil and economical watering. The plant should overwinter at temperatures between 10-15°C and can be propagated by cuttings or cuttings.
Aloe, which comes from the dry areas of Africa, is an extremely undemanding plant. The cosmetics industry processes large quantities of aloe juice and aloe gel. For this purpose, real aloe is grown all over the world.
In Germany, Aloe vera can be cultivated as a houseplant because it cannot tolerate frost. It is particularly suitable for locations in full sun. Aloe vera can spend the hot summer months outside. As soon as it gets colder, she needs to be brought inside. It likes to overwinter cooler at 10-15° C, but can also be kept in a heated room all year round.
Important information about the location and soil
Aloe vera needs a lot of light for he althy growth. If you want the plant to retain its green color permanently, it must not be placed in the blazing sun, where its fleshy leaves turn reddish to brownish.
The following mixture ensures good water permeability of the soil:
- Houseplant soil,
- Sand,
- possibly some peat,
- a drainage layer.
Watering and fertilizing sparingly
Aloe vera should only be watered when the substrate is completely dry. Plants grown outdoors in summer can tolerate a little more water. During the winter break, watering is very rare and fertilizing is stopped completely. If you repot your aloe vera regularly, you can save yourself fertilizing.
Propagate aloe vera
Aloe vera can be propagated using natural offshoots or cuttings. Carefully cut these off at the base with a sharp knife and let them dry for a few days. The cuttings are placed in the moist potting soil and the containers are protected from the sun and placed in moderate light.
Tip
You can encourage aloe vera to bloom by overwintering it from November to February at around 12° Celsius.
