How to Maintain Aloe Vera Plants

Aloe vera is a succulent, which means it is a plant that retains a large amount of water. In fact, aloe plants are about 95% water. They are easy to grow and maintain, as long as they are kept in an appropriate climate and planter pot. Aloe vera plants can be used for decorative purposes as well as health purposes. They are most famous for the healing ability of aloe vera juice, which can be placed on burns, stings, and many other skin abrasions. Let's find out how to grow an aloe vera.

Things You'll Need

• Aloe vera plant
• A wide planter pot with drainage holes
• Planting soil
• Sand or cacti-mix
• Gravel or small rocks

Instructions

How to Maintain Aloe Vera Plants

1. Choose a wide planter pot that has good drainage. Line the bottom of the pot with gravel or small rocks.

2. Plant your aloe vera in the pot using either a prepared cacti-mix soil, or regular soil mixed with some sand.

3. Place your aloe vera plant in an area that receives a lot of sunlight. If kept indoors, the plant should be placed near a window that receives adequate sunshine. If kept outside, the plant needs to be brought indoors if the temperature is going to drop to freezing or below.

4. Water the aloe vera plant when the soil around the plant appears dry. Do not over water. In the winter months, aloe vera plants are dormant, and they do not need to be watered very often.

5. Remove the small plants (pups) that sprout up around the main plant. The pups should be about 3 inches tall before they are removed. They can be placed in their own pot and will grow in to adult plants, which will produce more pups.

6. Fertilize the aloe vera plant every Spring using a 10-40-10 mix, which is available in the home and garden section of most stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Aloe vera pups make great gifts for family and friends.

• If an aloe vera plant is in an appropriate climate, but still turning yellow, it may be receiving too much water, or not draining properly. Adjust the drainage system amount of water being given to the plant.

• Never leave an aloe vera plant outside when there is a chance of frost. They are mostly water, and will freeze very quickly.