How to Grow Aloe Vera in your Home.

Aloooe!!!!

Aloe vera plant is mainly grown for its medicinal and decorative purposes. Whether you are using it to clear sunburn or to have fresh and smooth skin or to moisturize your hair; usage and application method is easy and quick. In addition to adding beauty to your environment, the aloe vera plant is easy to maintain.

Aloe vera always looks beautiful in pots, adding a tropical feel to your home. This makes it important to plant an aloe vera around your house. It grows well indoors or outdoors, in a container or on the ground.

You might have bought your aloe vera plant but not sure how to plant this succulent plant in your home. This article is an easy step-by-step guide on how to plant aloe vera and other information about the plant.

What you need to plant Aloe vera

Aloe vera: Of course, the number one thing you would need to plant an aloe vera is aloe vera itself. You could get an aloe vera leaf or plant containing roots. The latter is preferred.

Planting Pot: Aloe vera roots do not grow deep but rather spreads that is why a wider and not a deeper pot is preferred. If you do not have a planting pot you can use a bowl, sieve or any container that is as wide as it is deep, however, ensure to insert holes at the base of the container for drainage.

Soil: Aloe vera requires well-drained sandy soil. There are varieties of soil for planting aloe vera. You could use a potting soil mix for succulents or DIY aloe vera potting soil, which you can make yourself by mixing 1 part sterilized soil, 1 part sand (sandy soil/beach soil) and 1 part peat moss.

After mixing, to be sure your soil is well-drained, moisten the soil with water, take a hand full, squeeze it between your palms and then let go, if the soil falls apart then your soil is well-drained if it stays in a clump, it is not well-drained.  Add ½-part sand to the mixture to get a well-drained soil. You could also use the soil in your garden but be sure to mix it with sandy soil.

How to plant Aloe vera in a pot for outdoors or indoors

For added drainage, you can place gravels at the bottom of the pot then pour in your soil mix. Allow the water to drain for 24 hours. After which you create a hole in the middle of the pot deep enough to contain the root, place the aloe plant or leaf into the pot and then cover the root of the plant or the bottom of the leaf completely with soil. 

To plant aloe vera from the leaf, cut the leaf from the mother plant, allow the leaf to form a coat covering the cut before you plant. After planting sprinkle a little water on the plant and do not water it again until after two weeks. Remember do not overwater it or the root will rot, only water when you notice the soil is dry.

If you are planting aloe vera outdoors whether in a pot or on the ground, plant it under light shade. For indoor, potted aloe vera plant should be placed where light can come through, either in the balcony, window or places where sun rays or man-made light can be felt. Excess direct light from the sun will make the leaves dry out and turn yellow.

The typical growing season for aloe vera is between May and September, this is, therefore, the most suitable time to plant or transplant aloe vera.

Aloe vera plant can endure almost all temperature range. It typically enjoys temperature from 13^oC - 27^oC but can tolerate temperatures from 4^oC - 35^oC.

Aloe vera indoor

Aloe vera Outdoor

Transplanting Aloe vera

Transplanting is needed when you notice overcrowding of the mother plant or pups sprouting from its root. If you do not remove these pups, they will feed off the mother plant and make it look dangly and “limpy”.

Transplant aloe vera plant by pulling out the whole plant from the soil, cut off the pups with a sharp knife, spread all cut piece of the plant in a warm place for some days to allow their root heal and then replant them in a different container.

An Aloe vera mother plant with pups

How to care for your Aloe vera.

A healthy aloe vera plant should look plump, succulent and light green. Most aloe vera plants have a tiny white spot over its leaves and sharp edges. For fast aloe vera growth, always clean the plant with a damp cloth.

Do not overwater the plant. If you notice that the leaves are pale green, this is a sign of overwatering. To ration your watering, water to soil capacity every two weeks.

Caring for aloe vera outdoors can be a bit tricky because you have to avoid direct sunlight. It is therefore recommended to plant your aloe under light shade.

For indoor, place aloe vera plant in a bright place where it can receive light but not direct sunlight.

Occasionally, you can do a little bit of mulching around the plant to loosen the soil and allow for better drainage.

When you notice that your aloe vera leaves are tipping probably because of the weight of the plant, cut it off and replant. Also, stake the plant if the leaves are curved.

Aloe vera does not need fertilization, but if you must fertilize, apply fertilizer once in 6 months. Aloe vera plant can grow fast if well taken care of.

A healthy Aloe vera plant

Harvesting Aloe vera

To harvest a whole aloe vera leaf, cut the leaf where it joins the stem with a sharp knife or garden scissors but if you want a piece of the leaf, you can cut the leaf carefully, however, this will slow the growth of the leaf because the cut part would have to heal before the leaf starts to grow again. Therefore, I recommend you keep cutting a particular leave before you move on to another.

Aloe vera harvest

How to extract aloe vera juice

Harvest aloe vera leaf as described above. Slice off the sharp edges with a knife then cut the aloe vera leaf into smaller piece. Pick a piece, cut it through the middle lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the gel from each cut section into a bowl. There you have it! your aloe vera gel.

If your aloe vera leaf is too small for gel extraction, cut it into smaller pieces and blend with a blender. Use a sieve to separate the shaft from the juice.

How to store aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel can be preserved with Vitamin E, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and potassium sorbate vitamin E, however, you can store aloe vera without preservatives in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for 2 weeks.

Since I planted aloe vera in my home, my home is cosy and more beautiful. It has brought a whole new life to my kitchen. if you want a different look to your home, place a little potted aloe vera plant anywhere in the house and watch the bring spark to your home.