Aloe vera ( Aloe barbadensis ) , with its spiky , sarcoid leaves and soothing gelatin , makes an fantabulous addition to any indoor works collection . This succulent native to the waterless regions of the Arabian Peninsula flourish in flaxen , well - enfeeble soils and tender temperatures between 55 ° F and 80 ° F , mimic its natural desert home ground .
Its hit rose window physical body and grey - green colour add architectural pursuit to gay windowsills , kitchen rejoinder , or bathroom shelf where it can serve both cosmetic and practical purposes .
Aloe vera is aneasy - to - grow houseplantthat forgives neglect , wee-wee it perfect for novice or busy works partisan . Its drought - tolerant nature intend you ’ll only take to irrigate thoroughly every 7 - 14 24-hour interval in summertime , allow the territory to dry entirely between waterings .
This medicinal flora has been valued for hundred for its gel , which can be glean fresh from your own industrial plant to console minor Robert Burns , cutting , and skin provocation – provide both beauty and functionality in your plate .
Growing aloe vera indoors requires minimum effort but delivers maximum wages . lay your plant in bright , indirect sunlight , though it will digest partial sun conditions . habituate a terracotta heap with drainage fix and a gritty , well - drain cactus or succulent grunge mix to prevent root putrefaction . Your aloe will thrive with occasional attention and can even get elegant tube-shaped flowers when mature and properly cared for .
Key Takeaways
Characteristics Of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is astriking succulentplant native to North Africa that has become an incredibly pop houseplant worldwide . With its distinctive rosette form , it features thick , fleshy green leaves that raise from a central decimal point .
The leave are the most recognisable feature , develop up to 50 atomic number 96 long in mature plant . They ’re triangular in form with serrated edges that have modest dentition or spikelet . When healthy , the leaves display a beautiful bluish - greenish colour .
Inside these noteworthy leaf lie the plant ’s most cherished plus – the unclouded , gelatin - like substance that has made aloe vera famed for its healing belongings .
Key Characteristics :
Aloe vera now and then produces tall blossom stalks with tube-shaped scandalmongering or orange blooms when grow in optimum conditions , though flowering is rare for indoor specimen .
The plant life has garner nicknames like “ burn plant ” and “ medical specialty plant ” due to its alterative uses . Its gelatin contains compounds with anti - inflammatory and antiseptic property that have been used for centuries .
As a houseplant , aloe vera is unco self - sufficient . It stores weewee in its thick leaves , giving it excellent drouth leeway and make it hone for forgetful waterer or busy plant parents .
When happy , an aloe vera plant life will raise starting time ( often called “ pup ” ) around its base , allowing you topropagate newfangled plantswith minimum exertion .
How To Grow Aloe Vera
Growing aloe vera at home is straight when you understand itsbasic need . This resilient succulent thrives with minimal precaution as long as you bring home the bacon the right lightness , soil , and lachrymation conditions .
Light Requirements
Aloe vera plants lovebright lightbut can put up in intense verbatim sunlight . place your aloe in a spot that receive hopeful , collateral light for most of the 24-hour interval . A south or west - face windowsill often works brilliantly .
During wintertime months , your plant may needadditional brightness . If you notice it stretching or list towards the easy source , this indicates it needs more cleverness .
In summer , some light refinement during the hottest part of the daytime prevents folio scorching . While aloe can bear full Sunday once acclimated , bring out it gradually helps prevent shock and sunburn .
Indoor bitter aloes typically show their happiness with stocky growth and vibrant colouring . If leave-taking look pale or elongated , try make a motion to a brighter location .
Soil And Feeding Requirements
Aloe vera demandswell - draining soilthat prevent ancestor bunkum . Create an ideal growing metier by combine :
Commercial cactus pot mix work well as a base , with added drainage materials . Always select pots with drainage holes to keep water accumulation at the stem .
Aloe vera does n’t require frequent eating . Apply a dilute cactus fertiliser at half - strength once in leap and once in summer . ward off feeding during fall and winter when emergence naturally slows .
Over - fertilising cause more harm than good , potentially burning the root system . If your plant looks respectable with firm , plump leave , it likely has adequate nutrition .
When repot ( need every 2 - 3 yr ) , choose a container only slightly larger than the current one . Aloe in reality perform better when slightly pot - recoil .
Water And Humidity Requirements
right watering is essential for aloe vera success . The golden rule : waitress until the soil is completely dry before watering thoroughly . In summertime , this typically means watering every 7 - 14 days , while in wintertime , reduce to once monthly .
When tearing , saturate the soil completely until water flows from the drainage maw . This encourages deep root growing . Always empty any pee that pull together in the saucer beneath the flowerpot .
Signs of overwatering include :
Underwatered aloe shows thin , concave leave and browning at the tips . The works stores water in its fleshy leaves , so it can withstand occasional neglect better than over - aid .
Aloe vera thrive in modal household humidity and does n’t need becloud . In fact , supererogatory humidness can kick upstairs fungous issues . These desert aborigine prefer dry air conditions .
Pruning And Leaf Maintenance
Aloe vera requires minimal pruning , but some maintenance help keep plant intelligent . Remove any damaged , diseased or go leaves by write out them at the base using clean , acute scissors or secateurs .
When harvest home provide for medicative role , select the outermost , matured leaves . Cut them secretive to the stem turn , making a neat angled cut . Never remove more than one - third of the flora ’s leaf at once .
If your aloe develop elongated stem turn or becomes leggy , this suggests insufficient light . reckon relocate the works rather than pruning the bow , as cut the master stem can damage the plant .
debris the leaves from time to time with a soft , damp cloth . This keeps the stoma open for proper plant ventilation and photosynthesis . annul using leaf shine ware , as these can damage the protective coating on aloe leaves .
If your plant produces a magniloquent blossom stalking , you may entrust it to bloom or take out it to point muscularity back to leaf growth .
Propagation
propagate aloe vera is uncomplicated using kickoff or ‘ puppy ’ that recrudesce around the foot of ripe flora . These small plantlets can be separated when they give about 8 - 10 atomic number 96 in height and have several folio .
To pass around :
Unlike some succulents , aloe vera does n’t circulate well from folio cuttings . The offset method offer the highest achiever rate .
Newly propagated pups require slightly more frequent watering until established . Place them in lustrous , indirect light and protect from acute sun for the first few weeks . Within 3 - 4 week , you should notice new increase , indicating successful organization .
Winter Care Of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plant life go dormant during winter months , ask different care than during participating grow seasons . Your plant will take less attention but still involve somespecific considerationsto last out healthy .
Watering ScheduleDuring winter , significantly slim down how often you irrigate your aloe vera . Allow the soil to dry out out totally between waterings .
Light RequirementsAloe plants require shining , collateral sunlighteven in winter . direct your plant life near a south or western United States - facing windowpane where it can receive at least 6 hours of collateral luminosity daily . Rotate the pot occasionally to ensure even ontogeny .
Temperature ConsiderationsKeep your aloe vera in a smirch with consistent temperatures between 13 - 18 ° snow . Avoid rate it near radiators , heater or draughty window . Temperature fluctuation can punctuate the plant and cause foliage wrong .
FertiliserDon’t fertilise your aloe vera during winter . The plant does n’t need additional nutrients whilst dormant , and fertilising could harm it .
Common Winter IssuesWatch for these problem during the colder month :
dissent the urge to repot your aloe during winter . look until spring when the flora resume active development and can better handle the stress of transplanting .
Common Problems And Solutions
grow aloe vera indoors can present a few challenges , but most issues are easy resolve with proper care . Here are the most plebeian problems and their solutions :
OverwateringOne of the most frequent issues with aloe plants is overwatering . planetary house include soft , mushy leaves and yellow . Allow the soil to dry out wholly between tearing , typically water every 2 - 3 weeks in summer and monthly in winter .
Root RotThis serious condition results from unreasonable wet around the roots . If your aloe has blackened , soppy origin and a wicked smell , you ’ll need to act quickly :
PestsAloe plant at times attract pests , particularly when stressed . The most common include :
Leggy GrowthIf your aloe becomes stretch and pale , it ’s not encounter enough light . step by step move it to a bright location , ideally near a south or west - face window .
Offsets and PupsWhile not a trouble , the small plantlets ( pups ) that grow from the radical can crowd the female parent plant . When whelp are about 1/5 the size of it of the parent , you could gently separate them and pot them individually .
Other Similar Plants To Grow
If you enjoy growing aloe vera , there are several similar succulent plant that flourish under similar conditions and makeexcellent houseplant . These plants share aloe ’s preference for well - draining soil and tolerance for occasional neglect .
Haworthiavarieties are perfect companions to aloe vera . These small rosette - shape succulent have similar concern requirements but typically stay more succinct , have them idealistic for smaller spaces . They featurestriking patternsand semitransparent “ windowpane ” on their leaves .
Gasteriaplants ( also known as “ ox glossa ” ) offer similar ease of care with classifiable compact , tongue - regulate leave . They ’re gross for founding father andtolerate low lightconditions better than many other succulents .
Snake Plants(Sansevieria)share aloe ’s resilience and air - purifying tone . Their dramatic upright leaves add architectural sake to your indoor garden whilst requiring minimum care .
Here ’s a prompt comparison of these aloe alternative :
For beginners , Jade Plants(Crassula ovata ) offer similar drought - tolerance and minimal fuss with their attractive orotund leave and tree diagram - like growth habit .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and nurseryman for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year contest . He is a fellow member of the National dahlia Society .
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma trend in Horticultural subject field and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He establish GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is aimed at everybody who enjoy plants or has been sting by the gardening microbe and wants to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest chain mail order plant retailer , as a internet site that put out adept gardening content .
