Aloe vera native to Africa has different varieties in other regions of the world, but aloe vera is the best cultivar and grows easily in every climate. Maximum height reaches about two feet, leaves are green in color, and start flowering in the summer season. Each leaf of growing aloe vera contains a length of about 30-50cm and 10cm broad. Plant (singular noun carries singular verb) reaches up to just 2ft height on maturity level/parent plant—no need of care and maintenance for its growth and development. In this article, we will discuss easy steps on how to grow the aloe vera plant at home.
In this article:
Growing Aloe Vera Plant
Common Names Aloe
Technical Name Aloe Vera
Family Aloaceae
Native North Africa and Spain
Planting Season July-August
Harvesting Condition 7-8 months of planting
Climate Dry and hot
Irrigation 1-time irrigation in a week
Harvesting Season October- November
Storage for 2 months in the refrigerator
Crop Type Perennial and Evergreen
Climate Requirements To Grow Aloe Vera
It requires a temperature range from 50-60degrees Fahrenheit in summer and winters, it doesn’t stay under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate dry air indoors and requires full sun for flowering in some areas. The plant needs eight hours of bright shining sunlight or partial sunlight for better growth and development and also bears dry and drought conditions like in deserted areas—some cultivars like Aloe polyphylla L.a variety that grows in the mountains.
Soil Preparation
It can be grown ins all kinds of soils but must be well-drained and with maximum organic matter. pH level should be neutral, and soil must contain perlite, lava, rock, and chunks. Don’t use the gardening soil.
Propagation Method
Propagation of Aloe Vera is the coolest, but it takes time in growing to reach the proper aloe vera plant. Aloe vera can grow through (except rhizome and leaf, others are plural so rhizomes and leaves) rhizome, leaf, pups, and suckers most effective through offsets or pups. Take the pup with the help of a sharp sickle or knife and put it in the soil
Fertilizer to Grow Aloe Vera
Aloe vera itself is a natural fertilizer, and it can feed other plants and gave them all their nutrients. Every plant needs fertilizer. So, aloe vera is the best fertilizer for taking two tablespoons of aloe Vera pulp in a bottle and adding one gallon of water to it. Spray this mixture on the stem and leaves of the plant. Residues of houseplants are also good fertilizers and artificial fertilizers from vegetables. Fruit peels are also better to use.
Water Requirement
Aloe Vera plant doesn’t need maximum water for its growth and development because it’s a hardy plant with much more watery fluid inside the leaves. So water the plant once in ten days or when you feel dry soil.
Harvesting
During the harvesting of the Aloe Vera plant, you need to remove 3-4 leaves at one time, not more than this. Also, the thick leaves from the outer section ensure that the leaves are healthy and free of any disease or mold/damage. While cutting the leaves, cut close to the stem and wash the leaves properly, also dry them. Do remember to cut the prickly edges with the shearer.
Post Harvesting
After harvesting the Aloe Vera plant, you should keep it for about 2 weeks or more than in a refrigerator, but a little funky condition of leaves appeared. You can let the leaves outside but make sure the temperature should be normal level, not too much hot or cold. Keep the leaf to prevent bruising or damage.
Varieties of Aloe Vera
It has 500 different breeds, but mostly those used are 
- 111271
- Lace aloe
- Spider aloe
- Stone aloe
- Candelabra aloe
- Ic 111269
- AI-1
Disease and Pests
Some diseases and insect pests that can attack the Aloe Vera plants (plural noun) are root rot, fungal stem, soft rot, leaf rot, rust causes black spots, and discoloration in plants can be cured by fungicides and through hoeing.
How to Grow Aloe Vera at Home from Baby Plant?
- If you want to grow the Aloe Vera plant at home, you need potting media. It‘ll be a mixture of perlite, lava rock, and coarse sand with a neutral pH level.
- Take a clean pot that should be wide, and put the soil mixture without any dirt.
- The best growing time of the Aloe Vera plant is in July- August. Similarly, harvest after -6 months of proper growth.
- With the help of shear, take the (new outgrowth) baby plant from the parent plant carefully to take all roots with it.
- In the next step, you should dig a small hole in the pot and fix the baby plant in the soil with all the roots with care.
- Ensure that, during shifting the pup from one pot to another. You need to save the roots of the pup from the outer environment.
- Don’t water the plant for one week to let the soil and plant firmness together.
- Fertilizer should be applied after the proper growth and freshness of leaves.
- In winters, you must have to take care of the plant don’t propagate in a very cold environment.
- Excess rainfall and water (two nouns connected with AND carry plural verb) are also harmful to plants. So keep your plant away from rainy weather.
- An adequate amount of water is just needed for the growth and development of the Aloe Vera plant.
- Hoeing is also necessary for the plant once a month to avoid any kind of disease or pests attack.
- Aeration is also necessary for plant health and sustainability.
- Above all, after harvesting plants, it’s easy to store the leaf in the refrigerator for a long time
How to Grow Aloe Vera Plant from a Leaf Cutting
Propagation of aloe vera plants is also done through cutting. Similarly, this method takes a long time in growing aloe vera and developing new plants.
In this kind of propagation that how to grow aloe vera from leaf, we just need the same process as in the new outgrowth or baby plant method on the whole.
More than one to two weeks of growth the pup (baby) plant, should be observed for the new leaves and roots establishment. Then, cut the fresh mature leaf carefully from the parent plant and transplant it into a pot. Don’t water the plant for 1-2 weeks to let the leaf grow their roots inside the soil and new shoots take a long time
Note that the pup plant must reach the size of about one-fifth of the parent plant while transplanting
During harvesting aloe vera, you have to take a sharp knife, cut the extra mature leaf from the plant, and use it for each and this is how to grow aloe vera from the leaf It is also a good nutrient for other plants.
Also, read the article How to grow Parsley from Cuttings?
Nutritional value of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera plant is mentioned in the bible for its healing properties, succulent, hardy in nature, and dwarf plant.
It is also called a medicinal plant and is used to cure many diseases in the world. It reduces constipation, accelerates wound healing, improves skin, prevents wrinkles, treats canker sores, lowers blood sugar levels, and has antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Aloe vera plant contains 75 potentially active compounds that have vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugar, lignin, saponins, salicylic acids, vitamin B12, folic acids, and choline.
Conclusion
Lastly, I must say that every person must start growing the Aloe Vera plant in their home garden. Because it can enhance the beauty and give greenery to the area. We know that there are more and more benefits that we can get from this plant, some of them are also mentioned above in the paragraphs. Similarly, if you want to grow plants in your home garden, take the leaf from your friend’s garden for propagation. Hence, the aloe vera plant doesn’t need any kind of maintenance, time, or care for its growth with many benefits for us.
So, grow aloe vera and heal, enjoy and cherish your life!
Frequently Asked question
Can you grow aloe vera from a cutting?
Yes. You can grow aloe vera from a cutting, but it takes time. you will need to put it in water or soil for it to grow. In fact, this is one of the easiest plants to grow in your home.
Does an aloe plant need a lot of sun?
Aloe plants need lots of sunlight to grow and produce their beautiful, succulent leaves. Usually, they do best when they get only 6 hours of sunlight a day. They are very sensitive to sunlight. If you don’t give them enough, they will wilt.
How long do aloe plants live?
Aloe plants will live for years if cared for properly. Aloe plants can live for up to 12 years. They will die if they are not watered and fertilized.
What kind of soil do aloe vera plants like?
Aloe vera likes to be grown in potting mix with good drainage. If your plant has a problem with drainage, you may want to move it to a different area of your yard or different pots.
Why is my aloe not growing?
Aloe plants need sunlight to grow. You should place your aloe plant in full sun. It will grow much faster. If you do not provide enough light, it will not grow. Too much shade declines the aloe plants’ growth.
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