Aloe vera plants produce smaller offshoots called pups which grow from the base of mature plants and can be easily propagated as new plants.
Plant your aloe in soil designed specifically for succulents and cacti, such as one composed of sand, rock powder and broken expanded clay particles. A potting mix such as this works very well.
Light
Aloe vera plants are well-known for their healing capabilities, including treating burns, soothing sunburns and soothing mild psoriasis-related inflammation. The clear gel found within its leaves may speed wound healing while decreasing swelling. To ensure your aloe plant thrives it is vital to provide it with sufficient light – bright indirect sunlight works best; without enough light an aloe may start to wither away over time and lose its signature rosette shape.
As soon as temperatures heat up, relocate your aloe outside in a sunny spot. Take care not to rush its transition as frost or cold temperatures won’t doom its growth. After moving it outdoors, water its soil thoroughly by allowing excess to run off of its pot’s bottom before emptying any surplus after 15 minutes or so. Although succulents do not require humidity for proper growth, misting may help promote root development.
An effective method to propagate an aloe plant is using its offshoots, commonly referred to as pups. Mature aloe vera plants produce pups on their own that can be removed to create new plants. Use a trowel to gently break up soil around each offshoot before gently pulling it away without trapping any roots; make sure it goes into its own small pot filled with well-draining succulent and cactus mix afterwards.
If the offshoot has multiple roots, repotting may not be necessary; however, if its root system has become overcrowded and no roots remain to support it, use this opportunity to repot it. Before doing so, thoroughly examine its root system for any signs of damage; prior to repoting, remove any damaged sections that might need pruning before leaving as much callous intact as possible after repotting. Once planted in its new potted environment, allow time for callosity formation before placing back into direct sunlight where it should thrive before eventually showing signs of new growth indicating propagation success!
Water
Roots of an aloe vera plant need water, but too much can cause its roots to rot. Soil should also remain evenly moist for optimal growth, while any cuttings should be protected from direct sunlight in order to avoid sunburn and premature death of their aloe vera plant.
To initiate aloe propagation, a sharp, clean, sanitized knife should be used to cut a portion of leaf from a healthy and mature plant – at least two inches long should be cut – using an aloe cutting. Once cut, it should be placed in a dry location away from direct sunlight for one or two days in order to allow its cut surface to scab over. Over time this callous should develop, aiding root formation.
Once the cuttings have had time to heal, they can then be planted. A pot that is just one size larger than their original container should be used; soil must drain freely; sandy loam is an ideal choice as its mix of large and small particles will help the plant absorb oxygen without becoming waterlogged; clay or silt may also be added if necessary.
When planting aloe vera, water the soil first so as to loosen it, and then carefully insert a cutting into a hole of approximately one inch depth. Leaves of the aloe should rest about an inch above the soil’s surface; small doses of rooting hormone may be applied if desired.
Once the aloe vera has developed roots, it should be transplanted to a brighter environment such as southern or western windows. If it fails to respond well, this could indicate either too little fertilizer or too much water being available for its care.
Another method for propagating aloe plants is through planting the “pups,” or offshoot plants that a strong mother plant regularly produces. These pups, commonly referred to as “ancillary stems”, can easily be harvested and rooted for further propagation without using additional lights for cultivation.
Soil
Replicating leaf cuttings, you can propagate aloe vera plants using pups that form at the base of an aloe stem. Pups have their own root systems which you can pot individually as new aloe vera plants. Pups often outgrow their mother plant more quickly, producing flowers and new leaves of their own that form dense rosette-like patterns making care simpler than full stemmed plants.
To ready an aloe plant for splitting, begin by brushing away as much dirt as possible and carefully inspecting its root system to make sure every little offset has its own roots. If any do not yet, leave them until they can be potted up later on. Afterward, gently tease and untangle their pups’ roots so that they separate from one another; using thin tools such as metal chopsticks may make this task simpler.
Your aloe vera pups should be planted in small pots or larger containers with drainage holes at the bottom. Select one slightly smaller than their original parent plant for easy growth of pups, and use a soilless potting mix specially made for succulents and cacti – such as found at local garden stores or home improvement centers – rather than traditional gardening soil. To prevent the soil drying out too quickly add gravel or clay balls as layers in the bottom of each pot for protection from overwatering.
Before planting aloe vera pups, lightly mist the soil to moisten it. Aloe vera plants are drought-tolerant succulents; however, new plants require damp soil at all times in order to remain alive and keep from drying out too rapidly. To maintain adequate humidity levels in their environment, water regularly without overdoing it – once established you may switch to less frequent watering schedules.
Container
Aloe vera thrives in most containers, but you should select one with proper drainage for optimal growth. Also consider having enough space in your container to accommodate its roots as they develop over time. Select soil accordingly – aloe prefers loose, well-draining commercial mix such as that available specifically for cacti; avoid fertilizer-containing mixes like those commonly sold as potting mixes; for optimal results use slightly acidic soil pH of about 5.8 but can be reduced further with sulfur or peat moss addition.
To propagate an aloe vera plant from a leaf, make a clean cut with pruning snips and place the clipped leaf on a dry paper towel away from direct sunlight for several days to allow its wound to heal. If any signs of disease develop on its wound, start over with another leaf.
Repotting an aloe vera plant requires you to remove any offshoots with no roots of their own before carefully sliding the mother plant from its old pot into its new one, filling any gaps around its base with soil, and making sure there are no areas where water could leak out. Aloe vera plants can grow outdoors for most gardening zones but should be brought indoors prior to any frost or freeze conditions forming.
Aloe vera plants can easily become stressed from overwatering. After repotting an aloe vera plant, lightly water it for one week so as to help it adjust to its new home and lower the risk of rot.
When planting aloe vera plants outdoors, select a sunny location with warm temperatures and proper drainage. Soil temperature doesn’t play as big of a role if they are protected from winter temperatures and wind.
