If you understand the level of water and sun that mimics the hot climate this plant thrives in, it is easy to grow.The aloe plant can't be grown from a leaf cutting, and instead is typically propagated by detaching younger clone plants from the base of the adult plant.The section on propagation explains how to treat young plants.
Step 1: Know when a transplant is needed.
When a plant becomes top heavy and tip over, it's a good idea to move it to a heavier pot.If Aloe Vera runs out of space for its roots to grow, it may start to produce "pups" that can be moved to their own pot.If you want to grow an adult plant, transplant it to a larger pot before the roots start to circle the walls of the container.If you want to transplant a young plant at the base of an older one, see thegating section.
Step 2: The plant needs adequate sunlight and warmth.
Plants like 8–10 hours of sunlight a day.They are capable of surviving cooler seasons in a more dormant state, even though they grow best in warm or hot temperatures.If they are exposed to temperatures below 25oF, they may suffer harm.Hardiness zones 9, 10, and 11 are ideal for keeping Aloe Vera outdoors.If you live in a different zone, you may want to keep your Aloe Vera outdoors most of the year.If you live in the northern hemisphere, the sunniest windows are those facing west or south.Despite the plant's ability to thrive in hot conditions, it is still possible to burn it.If the leaves turn brown, move it to an area of light shade.
Step 3: TheAloevera can be planted in well draining soil.
Plants adapted for survival in dry conditions may rot if planted in soil with standing water.If you want to create your own mix, use equal parts soil, sand, and gravel.Make sure the container has a hole in it for the water to drain through.
Step 4: Don't let the leaves touch the soil when planting the root ball.
The root ball should be placed below the soil.The leaves may rot if they are partially buried or touched by the soil.
Step 5: Gravel or pebbles can be used to cover the soil.
To keep the soil in place, place a layer of rocks around the base of the plant.If you prefer the appearance of the soil, you may leave it exposed.White stones reflect warmth from the sun to the base of the plant, which is a good idea if you don't live in a hot climate.
Step 6: Don't water for the first few days after planting.
You should give the plant a few days to repair any damaged roots.The lack of water in the leaves of the alem plants shouldn't hurt them.If you want to be extra safe, give it a light watering the first time.In day to day care, watering instructions can be found in Providing Daily Care.
Step 7: Water during the growing season when the soil is dry.
During the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny, the plants grow fastest with regular watering.Do not water until the soil has dried out to a depth of 3 inches.
Step 8: There isn't much water during the cold season.
When the weather is cold for a long period of time, a lot of the alem plants go dormant.Unless you keep them in a heated room year round, you should only water them once or twice a month.
Step 9: Fertilize once a year or never.
Overuse of the alem plants can harm the plant or cause it to grow in an unhealthy manner.If you want to encourage growth, use a low nitrogen, high phosphorous, low potassiumfertilizer.At the start of the growing season, apply once a year.
Step 10: Carefully clear weeds.
The soil around the plant should be free of weeds.Carefully remove these if the plant is outdoors.It is easy to damage the roots with vigorous weed pulling when the soil is loose and sandy.
Step 11: If the leaves are flat and low, increase the sunlight.
If the leaves are flat, increase the amount of sunlight.The leaves should grow at an angle to the sun.The plant is probably not getting enough sun if it is growing flat or low to the ground.It should be moved to a sunnier area.It is a good idea to keep it outdoors during daylight hours.
Step 12: If the leaves turn brown, reduce sunlight.
Reduce the amount of sunlight if the leaves turn brown.It is possible to burn the leaves of the plant when it is exposed to the sun.If the plant turns brown, move it to a shaded area.
Step 13: If the leaves are thin, increase water.
Water should be increased if the leaves are thin and curled.The leaves store water that the plant uses.Water the plant more frequently if the leaves are thin or curling.To prevent root rot, water should drain quickly through the soil and be careful not to overcompensate.
Step 14: If the leaves turn yellow, stop watering.
Excess water is causing yellowed leaves to melt.It's a good idea to stop watering for a week or two during the dormant season.It is a good idea to use a knife to remove discolored leaves from the plant.
Step 15: Allow the plant to grow and fill the container.
When the adult plant reaches the boundaries of its container, it is most likely to produce younger plants, known as "pups".
Step 16: Wait for young plants to emerge.
Pups are clones of the mother plant's root system and may be attached to the base as well.These can sometimes grow out of the drainage hole of a container.When first emerging, pups tend to be a lighter green than the adult plant's leaves, and they don't have the same spiny leaf edges.
Step 17: The young plants should be given enough room to grow.
If you wait until the plants are large enough to have roots of their own, they will do better.A good rule of thumb is for the young plant to be at least 3 inches tall and 5 inches wide.If the container has enough space, wait until the young plant is 1/3 the size of an adult and has several sets of "true leaves" that look like the adult's.
Step 18: To remove the plant, use a knife.
It's a good idea to sanitize your knife first.If you remove the dirt at the base of the pup, you can see if it is attached to the mother plant.Make sure to keep the young plant attached to the roots if it is present.The presence of its own roots will increase the odds of success, but they may not be easy to find before you remove the pup.
Step 19: Plants should be left in the air for a few days.
You may want to allow the plant to form a callus over the knife cut instead of planting it immediately.It is better to place the cut surface of the plant against the soil.
Step 20: Plant in its own container.
Don't bury the leaves on top of the well-draining soil.You may need to lean the plant against another object because the root system is likely to be small.Within a few weeks, the root system should be large enough to support the plant.The Planting section contains more detailed information about young and mature plants.
Step 21: If the plant has no roots, you should mist it once every few days.
Don't water the plant until the roots have grown.Wait at least a couple weeks for a pup to grow its own roots.You can mist the plant with a spray bottle.
Step 22: Water after the roots are set in.
If you don't water the plant before its roots are large, the water will pool and rot it.If the pup already has its own root system, you can give it one watering and leave it in the shade for 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 23: Keep it fresh by caring for it as an adult plant.
Once the plant has grown roots and is in a container, it can be treated as an adult plant.The section on Providing Daily Care has instructions.