The succulent herbaceous perennial plant aloe is native to Africa, namely its arid areas. Aloe is extremely drought-resistant, and it’s widely known for its medical properties.
Aloe has many side shoots, and a shortened stem, which forms dense groups of compact rosettes of leaves that are usually meaty and somewhat curved, up to 20 inches (50 cm) long, 2-3 inches (6-7) cm wide, grayish-green with white spots, and have small thorns on the edges. Saponin, which possesses antibacterial effects, is abundant in Aloe Vera: it fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Thus, the plant is widely used in cosmetology, medicine, and even nutrition.
During the growth season, the plant is watered shortly after the upper layer has dried. Watering is done less regularly throughout the winter months, more specifically - two days after the surface of the soil mixture has dried. Make sure the liquid does not get inside the leaf socket when watering.
Aloe is a succulent plant that enjoys a lot of bright direct sunshine. In the winter, it's a good idea to get artificial light for the plant.
Substrates suitable for growing aloe should include sod, deciduous soil, and sand (2:1:1). To loosen the soil mixture, a tiny amount of charcoal and small bits of brick are added. Also, any potting mix for succulents will be suitable.
Mineral fertilizers are used to feed the plants once every four weeks, from the second half of spring to the first weeks of fall. Give preference to liquid 10-40-10 houseplant mixes or mixes designed specifically for succulents.
There is no set periodicity for pruning aloe leaves; it is entirely dependent on the preferences of the plant's owner. If you want the rosette to expand to a large size, don’t cut it at all; but if you want to keep the plant compact, trim it when the excess leaves reach enormous sizes.
Aloe can be grown from seed quite easily. To begin with, a good drainage layer is made at the bottom of the planter, then it is filled with the sand mixture, and seeds are sown. Sowing is carried out in the last winter or first spring weeks.Use the same soil combination for aloe shoot propagation as for seed sowing. Separate new shoots developing from the root from the parent bush in the spring or early summer, and then put them in their own pot. The bush is given the same care as an adult plant once it has taken root and begun to develop.
The plant thrives at regular room temperature during the spring and summer. The room should not be cooler than 58°F (14°C) degrees in the winter.
Aloes grow fast, so their pots must be replaced on a regular basis. The most crucial factor is the pot's compatibility with the root system, as plants do not like to be root bound.
Aloe vera plants are most susceptible to the common indoor plant pests, such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Treating all these insects can be similar – we recommend using neem oil. Mist the whole plant with oil. To fight all the signs of pests, the procedure should be repeated 2-3 times with an interval of about a week.
Just like most other succulents, overwatering is the most common issue faced by aloe vera owners. As a result of overwatering, there might occur the following diseases: Root rot Soft rot Fungal stem rot Leaf rot Repot the plant into fresh soil and minimize waterings until it gets better. Pay more attention to your watering schedule and water less frequently.
For optimal growth, aloe needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Alternatively, provide about 16 hours of bright artificial light daily. For artificial lighting, use full-spectrum grow lights. Aloes need very little water during the winter period. Rotate the pot once a week so that all sides of the plant receive an equal amount of lighting. For harvesting, use a mature plant that’s at least 3 years old. Don’t harvest more than 1 leaf at once; it will weaken the plant.
