The Aloe Vera is a succulent plant that is best known for sunburn, skin care and drinks in which the plant is processed. The plant has also become known for the amount of air the plant can purify. However, it is also a houseplant that is becoming increasingly popular. The aloe vera has leaves in the shape of points with small teeth on the sides. The plant is originally from the Arabian Peninsula. The plant can reach a height of 70 centimeters and can flower in different colors. The care of the aloe vera is very easy and the propagation of the plant is a piece of cake.
Water the aloe vera
What is used in various cosmetic products such as sunscreen is the juice from the leaves of the plant. This juice makes it clear that the aloe vera can store an enormous amount of water in the leaves. The plant will therefore not soon be short of water. Therefore, be very economical with watering. In the autumn, the plant does not need any water at all and in the months that follow very occasionally a small splash. Rather be too sparing with watering than giving too much water to the plant. If the aloe needs water, this will show itself in the tips of the leaves. These then begin to turn brown and wither. There is still enough time to save the plant with a little water. However, if you give too much water, the plant and the roots will rot and the aloe vera can unfortunately no longer be saved.
Place aloe vera
As soon as the temperatures no longer fall below freezing point, it is possible to put the aloe vera outside, but it is better to place the plant in the warm living room. Provide sufficient light and at least an hour of full sun per day. In addition to a decorative pot, use a plastic pot with holes in the bottom so that water does not collect around the roots. This prevents the roots from rotting. The aloe vera naturally grows in sandy soils with hardly any nutrients. Do not place the aloe vera in normal potting soil, but in special soil for cacti and succulents. At least once every two years, the plant should be placed in a larger pot. The plant can grow quite large and the roots need enough space to grow. Move the plant to a larger pot in the spring before the plant starts growing again. This way you prevent damage to the plant and roots and there is enough time for the plant to recover.
Propagate the aloe vera
The great thing about the aloe vera is that there is no need to take cuttings. The large mother plant will automatically grow small baby plants that can be used to propagate the plant. When these small plants are big enough, about five to ten centimeters, you can carefully separate them from the mother plant or pull them out of the ground. If the small plant already has a root, you can plant it directly in a pot with soil. If the offshoot does not yet have a root, you can put it on a layer of water and repot as soon as a root has grown. The plant will have to get used to the first time in the soil, but after that your little aloe will continue to grow. Take care of the small plant in the same way as the large aloe vera, but give less water because the plant is still small and in a smaller pot. Make sure that excess water can drain easily through a hole in the bottom of the container.