As a child from the countryside are for me nature. Self-sufficiency has always been part of my life. My heart beats in and for nature – I was able to deepen this interest even more in my studies of agricultural systems science at TUM. The real aloe (Aloe vera) convinces with its healing effect. Is a decorative houseplant. How to plant aloe vera and propagate it yourself.
As an original desert plant, aloe vera has now found its way into many homes [Photo: sundaemorning/ Shutterstock.com]
The real aloe (Aloe vera) has now found its way into many households. It is not only a decorative evergreen succulent, but can also be used as a remedy for skin conditions. In this article you will learn how to plant, propagate and use aloe vera.
Aloe vera: origin and properties
The Aloe vera (la vera lat. = "the true"), also known as true or real aloe, originally comes from the Arabian Peninsula and is now also very popular in Germany. The name Aloe barbadensis is a species name of the true aloe that can be used as a synonym and is also valid. It belongs to the genus of aloes (aloe). Is thus part of the grass tree family (Xanthorrhoeaceae). The plant has been known since ancient times for its healing properties, which can provide relief especially for skin conditions. Its peculiar appearance and its undemanding nature also ensure that the aloe vera is often kept as a houseplant.
Even though aloe vera is often mistaken for a cactus, it is actually a succulent plant. It usually grows completely stemless or on a short pseudo-stem. Aloe vera has rosette-like leaves that are about 30 to 40 cm long and 6 to 7 cm wide at the base of the leaf, before tapering to a point. They are usually lush green or gray-green in color and are studded with prominent, firm teeth along the edge. From the third year, the aloe vera can bloom under good conditions. It forms a single, rarely a double or triple branched inflorescence, which can reach a height of 60 to 90 cm. The flowers are arranged in a cylindrical raceme, 20 to 30 cm long, which tapers towards the top. In addition, the yellow, red or orange aloe vera flowers have a short flower stalk and prominent, conspicuous stamens and pistils above. There are a variety of aloe species, in our special article you will find the most beautiful aloe species at a glance.
Danger of confusion of the Aloe vera: Aloe vera can be confused at first glance with the similar-looking agave. On closer inspection, however, some differences can be seen: inside, the leaves of the aloe vera are gel-like, while those of the agave are fibrous. The plants also differ in their uses: Agave is used for fiber production – some species also for the production of agave syrup or tequila. Most species of agave contain skin-irritating and slightly toxic substances, they should not come into contact with the skin. Aloe vera, on the other hand, is considered a special remedy for the skin. In addition, the agave is hardy up to -20 °C, while the aloe vera does not tolerate frost.
At first glance, the agave looks confusingly similar to the aloe vera [Photo: Gonzalo de Miceu/ Shutterstock.com]
Plant aloe vera
The aloe vera is a low-maintenance plant and it is usually easy to cultivate it. We explain which soil is particularly suitable for the aloe vera, what to consider when choosing a location and how to properly care for the aloe vera.
The right location for aloe vera
Due to its original home, the Aloe vera is a true sun worshipper, which loves a warm, full sun location. As a houseplant, the aloe vera is very well suited, if you offer it the right location. Because of its high demand for sunlight, a place at the south window or in a conservatory is perfectly suitable. Warm temperatures of 20 to 25 °C are ideal for aloe vera. The aloe vera also tolerates darker locations, but it grows much slower here and shows a less vigorous green.
In the garden, the plant is difficult to cultivate, because the aloe vera does not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C. It is therefore best planted in a tub. Be brought indoors in the summer. In the spring, around mid-May, the plant can move from its winter habitat to a sunny place outdoors, as long as there is no longer any danger of late frosts. The plant should be accustomed to a new location only slowly – if it is placed directly from its winter quarters into the blazing sun, sunburn can occur on the leaves. If temperatures drop again in September, the plant should be brought back to its winter quarters. For this purpose, a bright room with mild temperatures of maximum 15 ° C is suitable. The winter garden, the staircase or unheated living rooms are very suitable for it.
Aloe vera feels most at home in a bright, warm place [Photo: New Africa/ Shutterstock.com]
What kind of soil is suitable for aloe vera??
Aloe vera makes special demands not only on its location, but also on its soil: the soil for growing the plant should be mineral, rich in nutrients, and at the same time poor in humus. Satisfactory growth can be observed even in normal potting soil, but it should be repotted more frequently. It is particularly important that the soil is well-drained to avoid waterlogging and associated diseases. A cactus or succulent soil is best suited as substrate, as it meets the conditions of the aloe well. Alternatively, you can make your own high-quality indoor plant soil with sand, primary rock flour and expanded clay crushed material. Through a high-quality soil, the plant is supplied with the best possible nutrients, so that it can grow healthy. At the same time, the addition of sand ensures good aeration. A water permeability that is important for succulents. Rock flour and expanded clay crushed soil additionally enhance the soil – they give the soil more structure and stability, so the soil does not collapse so quickly. Our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil, for example, is very suitable as a basis, as it provides the plant with a long-term supply and can also store nutrients well due to its clay content.
Organic, peat-free& climate-friendly: for all plants indoors& outside, 100% natural ingredients, harmless to humans& Animal
Tip Mixing cactus and succulent soil yourselfIf you want to make your own cactus soil, you can mix about 50 % universal soil with 10 % quartz sand, 30 % expanded clay and 10 % primary rock flour from basalt or granite. This creates a loose, well-ventilated substrate that can store water and nutrients sufficiently well, while avoiding waterlogging.
Plant the aloe vera
Planting aloe vera is simple and almost always successful. This requires a pot that is suitable for the size of the plant. Then some expanded clay can be added to the bottom of the pot to create good drainage and thus protect against waterlogging. The aloe vera can then be placed in the pot. The roots should be covered with soil. Here again a cactus is suitable-. Succulent soil or alternatively a homemade cactus soil. The soil should be lightly pressed. Be well watered. Finally, the aloe vera can be brought to its preferably sunny, warm location. Already after a few weeks the roots are grown. How to properly water, fertilize and cut the aloe vera, you can read in our special article on aloe vera care.
Propagating aloe vera: Offshoots, seeds and co.
Propagation of aloe vera is diverse and child's play, it usually does it by itself via Kindel. But also a multiplication by seeds or leaf cuttings is possible with the Aloe vera.
The propagation of aloe vera is usually very easy [Photo: KlavdiyaV/ Shutterstock.com]
Grow aloe vera offshoots
The true aloe forms so-called childels. These are offshoots that are connected to the mother plant by a shoot, but form their own roots. To propagate aloe vera via the offshoots, the old aloe vera must be removed from the container and freed of excess soil. The aloe vera spindles can then usually be easily separated from the mother plant with the fingers. Attention: They should be at least five centimeters high, so that the raising of the new plant succeeds. Once the seedlings are obtained, they are placed in their own pot, covered with soil and watered. For this purpose, a cactus and succulent soil or a homemade substrate based on a high-quality soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil is suitable. Soon a large aloe vera plant develops, which itself also forms plenty of seedlings.
Propagating aloe vera via seeds
A little more complicated is the propagation by seed. If you do not yet have a mother plant from which to take seedlings, you can still grow the aloe vera from seed. The best time for sowing is from May, when the days are longer again and there is more light. To do this, the seeds can be placed in a small pot on moist soil and lightly pressed in so that the top still protrudes from the soil. Afterwards, the pot can be covered with a glass pane or cling film – this creates a mini-greenhouse, which makes it easier for the seeds to germinate. The pot is best kept in a warm place such as a windowsill, the ideal germination temperature of the aloe seeds is around 25 °C. Occasionally, the lid of the mini-greenhouse should be lifted to prevent fungal attack. After 2 to 4 weeks the seeds begin to germinate.
The Aloe vera forms by itself for the propagation of so-called children [Photo: PWN3033/ Shutterstock.com]
Can be planted aloe vera leaves?
A third way to propagate aloe vera is to place leaf cuttings. This is almost as easy as propagating through pups. For this purpose, one of the outer, healthy leaves of the plant can be cut off with a sharp knife. After that, the aloe vera leaf must be left to dry in the air for a few days, until the cut is dry. The leaf can then be placed about a third of the way into a pot filled with soil and lightly pressed down so that it does not fall over. Here, again, a homemade cactus soil or a special cacti and succulent soil is suitable. Finally, the leaf must be well watered, so that the root formation is stimulated. In a warm, sunny place – such as the windowsill – the soil should then be kept constantly moist for four weeks: Then the leaf should have grown. From now on, the new plant – just like older aloe plants – can be watered with restraint.
Is the aloe vera hardy?
To maintain the vitality of aloe vera, it should be overwintered. If the aloe vera stands outdoors, it can be brought into the winter quarters from September onwards. As a houseplant, it can remain in its location until the end of October, but should also then be moved to winter quarters. Overwintering is best done in a bright room with a constant temperature between 5 and 15 °C. Winter gardens, bright staircases or unheated living rooms are best suited for this purpose. During the winter break, the plant needs to be supplied with water less frequently. Fertilization is not necessary. From March, the aloe can be moved to a warmer place. However, it should be brought outdoors only from May, when there is no more frost.
If the site conditions are right, the aloe vera can grow into a strong plant [Photo: DeawSS/ Shutterstock.com]
Repot aloe vera
Like any other potted plant, aloe vera needs to be repotted occasionally, as the substrate may become slumped or depleted of trace nutrients, inhibiting growth. Depending on the age of the plant and the substrate, repotting is necessary every two to five years. A good indication that it is time to change the pot is when the growth of the plant is reduced or when the pistils reach the edge of the pot. If the latter is the case, it is advisable to repot at the same time as propagating. First, the old aloe vera is removed from the pot. Roughly cleared of soil as well as dead leaves. After that it can be placed in the new, larger pot. The plant should be inserted into the soil about as deep as before. If the lower part is already woody, it can also be placed a little deeper. As a substrate, a homemade cactus soil – for example, based on our Plantura organic universal soil – or a special cactus and succulent soil is suitable. Especially with large plants, it is advisable to additionally support the aloe with wooden sticks until it has re-anchored itself in the soil – otherwise the heavy plant can quickly topple over.
TipIf you want to use your aloe vera as a medicinal plant, regular harvesting is necessary. How to harvest and use the aloe vera, you can learn in our special article.
Have you acquired a taste for succulents?? Also read our overview of the 10 most beautiful hardy succulent species.