How to Propagate Aloe Vera Plants

Aloe Vera can grow almost anywhere, but likes it soil a little on the drier side.

Propagation of plants is a way of cloning them by taking cuttings or sprouts from a parent plant and growing a new plant from the taken piece. It is much cheaper than buying new plants, and much more time efficient than growing plants from seeds. It's also a fantastic option for anyone who wants to create a new plant similar to one they already love, such as aloe vera. Aloe vera plants are widely grown for the healing properties of their juice, and are remarkably easy to propagate.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Peat moss
• Sand
• Pot

Instructions

1. Find an offset of your aloe plant. An offset is a tiny growth on the side of the aloe plant from the base that looks like a new aloe vera plant is forming.

2. Cut the offset from the aloe vera plant when it is a couple inches tall with clean, sharp pruning shears. Clean your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol and rinse them off in fresh water. This will protect the aloe vera against infection when you make your cut.

3. Set the offset cutting aside for three days to allow the wound to heal and seal over.

4. Fill a pot with a mixture of equal parts peat moss and sand. Water the pot lightly to moisten the peat moss and sand mixture.

5. Use your finger to press a small hole in the center of the prepared soil 2 to 3 inches down.

6. Set the bottom of the offset cutting into the hole and fill with the soil mixture. Pat down gently to minimize air pockets.

7. Water your young propagated aloe vera regularly to keep the soil lightly moist. When it begins to grow on its own in the container, it can be transplanted outside.

References

• Aloe Vera and Handy Herbs: Propagation--or How to Multiply
• Backyard Gardener: Growing Aloe Vera