How to Propagate Aloe Plants
Native to Africa, the Aloe plant has around 400 different species ranging in size from one inch to three feet in diameter. Most commonly known is the Aloe vera, or "true" Aloe. This semi-tropical plant can tolerate indirect sunlight and can go for several weeks without water. It can be grown indoors or outside in climates where the temperature stays above freezing. Aloe vera is an attractive plant that is easy to propagate. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Aloe plant with off-shoots
- Small pots
- Potting soil
- Perlite
- Water
Instructions
-
-
1
Place newspaper over the surface on which you are working so that any spillages are easy to clean up.
-
2
Fill pots with a mixture of six parts perlite and four parts potting soil. You can also use commercially made potting mix that is specifically for cacti and succulents and has very good drainage.
-
-
3
Take the plant that has new off-shoot plants on it, and gently remove the soil around the base of the young plants with your fingers. Only transplant off-shoots that are two inches in height or bigger.
-
4
Gently cut each one away from the parent plant. Be careful not to damage its small roots; and transplant the off-shoot into a new pot.
-
5
Moisten the soil with water. Leave the soil to dry out completely before watering next time.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Aloe plants do produce more of their medicinal compounds in bright sunlight, however, sometimes too much direct sunlight can make their leaves go brown.
Aloe plants are 95 percent water so should not be in a location where it is vulnerable to frost as this will kill the plant.
Make sure that your Aloe is in a potting mix with good drainage and that the pot has drainage holes.
Allow the soil to completely dry out between watering.
When harvesting the leaves for medicinal purposes, take those that are closest to the soil. These leaves are the oldest and their beneficial constituents will be the most potent.
You can tell if the plant is pot-bound because it will be top-heavy and will be developing more off-shoots. Repot if this occurs.
