- Aloe vera: origin and properties
- Plant aloe vera
- Propagating aloe vera: cuttings, seeds and co.
- Is aloe vera hardy?
- Repot aloe vera
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The real aloe (Aloe vera) convinces with its healing properties and is a decorative houseplant. This is how you can plant the Aloe vera and multiply it yourself.
The real aloe (Aloe vera) has meanwhile found its way into many households. Not only is it a decorative evergreen succulent, but it can also be used as a remedy for skin conditions. In this article you will learn how to plant, propagate and use the Aloe vera.
Aloe vera: origin and properties
The Aloe vera (la vera lat.="the true one"), also known as true or genuine aloe, is originally from from the Arabian Peninsula and today also enjoys great popularity in Germany. The name Aloe barbadensis is a valid species name of the true aloe that can be used as a synonym. It belongs to the genus of aloes (Aloe) and is therefore part of the grass tree family (Xanthorrhoeaceae). The plant has been known since ancient times for its healing properties, which can provide relief, especially for skin ailments. Its peculiar appearance and its undemanding nature also ensure that the Aloe vera is popular as a houseplant.
Although the Aloe vera is often mistaken for a cactus, it is actually a succulent. It usually grows completely without a stem or on a short pseudo-stem. The Aloe vera forms rosette-like leaves that are about 30 to 40 cm long and 6 to 7 cm wide at the base of the leaf before they taper off to a point. They are usually juicy green or grey-green in color and have striking, solid teeth on the edge. From the third year, the Aloe vera can bloom under good conditions. For this purpose, it forms a simple, rarely a double or triple branched inflorescence that can reach a height of 60 to 90 cm. The flowers are arranged in a cylindrical raceme that is 20 to 30 cm long and tapers towards the top. In addition, the yellow, red, or orange Aloe vera flowers have a short pedicel and showy ones protruding at the topstamens and styles. There are many types of aloe, in our special article you will find an overview of the most beautiful Aloe types.
Risk of confusion with the Aloe vera: The Aloe vera can be confused at first glance with the similar-looking agave. On closer inspection, however, some differences can be seen: Inside, the leaves of Aloe vera are gel-like, while those of the agave are fibrous. The plants also differ in how they are used: the agave is used for fiber production - some species also for the production of agave syrup or tequila. Most species of agave contain skin-irritating and slightly toxic substances, they should not come into contact with the skin. The Aloe vera, on the other hand, is considered a special remedy for the skin. In addition, the agave is hardy down to -20 °C, while the Aloe vera does not tolerate frost.
Plant aloe vera
The Aloe vera is an easy-care plant and it is usually easy to cultivate. We will explain to you which soil is particularly suitable for the Aloe vera, what needs to be considered when choosing a location and how to properly care for the Aloe vera.
The right location for the aloe vera
Due to its original habitat, the Aloe vera is a true sun worshiper that loves a warm, full sun location. The Aloe vera is very suitable as a houseplant if you offer it the right location. Because of their high demand for sunlight, a spot on the south-facing window or in a conservatory is perfect. Warm temperatures of 20 to 25 °C are ideal for Aloe vera. The Aloe vera also tolerates darker locations, but it grows much more slowly here but is less green.
The plant is difficult to cultivate in the garden because the Aloe vera does not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C. It is therefore best to plant it in a bucket and bring it indoors in the summer. In spring, around mid-May, the plant can move from its winter quarters to a sunny spot outdoors, as long as there is no longer any danger of late frosts. The plant should only be used to a new location slowly - if it is placed directly from its winter quarters in the blazing sun, sunburn can occur on the leaves. If the temperatures drop again in September, the plant should be back in itWinter quarters are brought. A bright room with mild temperatures of a maximum of 15 °C is suitable for this. The conservatory, the stairwell or unheated living rooms are very suitable for this.
Which soil is suitable for aloe vera?
The Aloe vera has special demands not only on its location, but also on its soil: The soil for growing the plant should be mineral, rich in nutrients and at the same time low in humus. Satisfactory growth can also be observed in normal potting soil, but it should be repotted more frequently. Good permeability of the soil is particularly important in order to avoid waterlogging and the diseases associated with it. A cactus or succulent soil is best suited as a substrate, as this meets the conditions of the aloe well. Alternatively, you can make your own high-quality indoor plant soil with sand, rock dust and crushed expanded clay. A high-quality soil provides the plant with the best possible nutrients so that it can grow he althily. At the same time, the addition of sand ensures good ventilation and water permeability, which is important for succulents. Primary rock flour and expanded clay pebbles add value to the soil - they give the soil more structure and stability, so the soil does not sag as quickly. For example, our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil is very suitable as a basis, as it provides the plant with long-term care and can also store nutrients well thanks to its clay content.
Tip: mix cactus and succulent soil yourself: If you want to make cactus soil yourself, you can use about 50% universal soil with 10% quartz sand, 30% crushed expanded clay and 10% powdered rock from bas alt or granite Mix. This creates a loose, well-aerated substrate that can store water and nutrients sufficiently well and at the same time avoid waterlogging.
Planting aloe vera
Planting the Aloe vera is easy and almost always successful. This requires a pot that is suitable for the size of the plant. Then some expanded clay can be put in the bottom of the pot to create good drainage and thus protect against waterlogging. The Aloe vera can then be placed in the pot and the roots covered with soil. Again, a cactus and succulent soil or alternatively a self-made cactus soil is suitable here. The soil should be lightly pressed and watered well. Lastly, the Aloe vera can be attached to itsshould be placed in a sunny, warm location if possible. After just a few weeks, the roots have grown. You can read about how to water, fertilize and cut the Aloe vera correctly in our special article on Aloe vera care.
Propagating aloe vera: cuttings, seeds and co.
Propagation of Aloe vera is diverse and very easy, it usually does it by itself via kindling. But propagation via seeds or leaf cuttings is also possible with Aloe vera possible.
Growing aloe vera cuttings
The real aloe forms so-called Kindel. These are offshoots that are connected to the mother plant by a shoot, but form their own roots. In order to propagate the Aloe vera over the children, the old Aloe vera must be removed from the bucket and freed from excess soil. The Aloe vera kindles can then usually be easily separated from the mother plant with your fingers. Attention: They should be at least five centimeters high so that the new plant can be raised successfully. Once the children have been won, they are placed in their own pot, covered with soil and watered. A cactus and succulent soil or a self-made substrate based on a high-quality soil such as our Plantura organic universal soil is suitable for this. A large Aloe vera plant soon develops, which also produces plenty of buds of its own.
Propagating aloe vera by seeds
Propagation by seeds is a little more complicated. If you do not yet have a mother plant from which to take the children, you can still grow the real aloe from seeds. The best time for sowing is from May, when the days are longer and there is more light. To do this, the seeds can be placed in a small pot on moist soil and gently pressed in so that the upper part still protrudes from the soil. The pot can then be covered with a pane of glass or cling film - this creates a mini greenhouse that allows the seeds to germinate better. The pot is best kept in a warm place like the windowsill, the ideal germination temperature for aloe seeds is around 25 °C. Occasionally the lid of the mini greenhouse should be lifted to prevent fungal attack. After 2 to 4 weeks the seeds will start to germinate.
Can you get aloe vera leavesplant?
A third way of propagating Aloe vera is to plant leaf cuttings. This is almost as easy as propagating by Kindel. To do this, use a sharp knife to cut off one of the outer, he althy leaves of the plant. The Aloe vera leaf must then be left to air dry for a few days until the cut has dried. The leaf can then be placed about one third into a pot filled with soil and pressed lightly so that it does not fall over. A self-made cactus soil or a special cactus and succulent soil is suitable here. Finally, the leaf must be watered well so that root formation is stimulated. In a warm, sunny place - like the window sill - the soil should then be kept constantly moist for four weeks: by then the leaf should have grown. From now on, the new plant - like older aloe plants - can be watered with restraint.
Is aloe vera hardy?
In order to maintain the vitality of the Aloe vera, it should be overwintered. If the Aloe vera is outside, it can be brought into the winter quarters from September. As a houseplant, it can remain in its location until the end of October, but should also be brought into the winter quarters then.
Overwintering is best done in a bright room with a constant temperature between 5 and 15 °C. Conservatories, bright stairwells or unheated living rooms are best suited. During the winter break, the plant needs to be watered less often. Fertilization is not necessary. From March, the real aloe can move to a warmer place again. However, you should only bring them outdoors from May, when there is no more frost.
Repot aloe vera
Like any other potted plant, the Aloe vera needs to be repotted occasionally, as the substrate has collapsed or is lacking in trace elements, thus inhibiting growth. Depending on the age of the plant and the substrate, it has to be repotted every two to five years. Good indications that a pot change is necessary is reduced growth of the plant or when the children reach the edge of the pot. If the latter is the case, it makes sense to carry out the repotting in the same train as the propagation.
First, the old Aloe vera is removed from the pot and roughly freed from soil and dead leaves. After that she canbe placed in the new, larger pot. The plant should be planted about as deep in the ground as before. If the lower part is already woody, it can also be set a little lower. A self-made cactus soil is suitable as a substrate - for example based on our Plantura organic universal soil - or a special cactus and succulent soil. Especially with large plants, it is advisable to additionally support the aloe with wooden sticks until it has anchored itself in the ground - otherwise the heavy plant can quickly tip over.
Tip: If you want to use your Aloe vera as a medicinal plant, you need to harvest it regularly. You can find out how to harvest and use the Aloe vera in our special article.
Have you got a taste for succulents? Also read our overview of the 10 most beautiful hardy succulent species.