How to Propagate Aloe

Aloe plants not only make attractive and easy-to-grow succulent houseplants, they have many medicinal properties as well. Fortunately, if you are patient, propagation of aloe plants is fairly easy to do if you follow some simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Rooting hormone

Instructions

1. Wait for your aloe plant to produce offshoots from the base of the plant. When the leaves of the offshoot begin to unfold and form a rosette, they are suitable for propagation. Offshoots that have not yet unfolded are less likely to produce roots.

2. Use your fingers to remove potting mix around the offshoot and follow it back to the base of the aloe. Pull it up gently and look for any roots that may already be coming from the offshoot. Use caution to keep these roots intact because they do give the propagation a head start.

3. Cut the offshoot away from the aloe plant with a sharp knife or shears. Get at least several inches of the underground portion of the offshoot and any roots you are able to.

4. Prepare a 3-inch pot with standard potting mix. Then, add a 1/2-inch layer of sand on top of the potting mix. This prevents the new aloe plant from rotting.

5. Insert the aloe offshoot into the 3-inch pot so it is buried at least 2 inches deep in the potting mix. If it does not yet have roots, it's a good idea to first dip it into rooting hormone powder. Initially, water well, but allow the potting mix to dry out before watering again. The propagation only needs water once every 2 weeks.

6. Place in filtered sunlight for about a month and then move to full sun. Propagation generally takes about 2 to 3 weeks. After this period, treat the aloe as a mature plant.