HOW TO CARE FOR AN ALOE VERA PLANT
I bought the aloe vera plant pictured above at my local Home Depot for $5.98. I really like the color of the pot, and that the pot has legs. I think it’s a great plant because it looks nice, it’s inexpensive, and even can be used to treat burns. I think it’s pretty much a win-win situation all the way around.
HOW TO CARE FOR AN ALOE VERA PLANT
- Place in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light. A western or southern window is ideal. Aloe that are kept in low light often grow leggy.
- Aloe vera do best in temperatures between 55 and 80°F (13 and 27°C). The temperatures of most homes and apartment are ideal.
- From May to September, you can bring your plant outdoors without any problems, but do bring it back inside in the evening if nights are cold.
- Water aloe vera plants deeply, but infrequently. To discourage rot, allow the soil to dry at least 1 to 2 inches deep between waterings. Don’t let your plant sit in water.
- Water about every 3 weeks and even more sparingly during the winter. Use your finger to test dryness before watering. If the potting mix stays wet, the plants’ roots can begin to rot.
- Fertilize sparingly (no more than once a month), and only in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant formula mixed at ½ strength.
- Repot when root bound.
Mature aloe vera plants often produce babies. These baby plants are genetically identical to the parent plant. In order to replant the babies, follow the following instructions.
- Find where the babies are connected to the original plant and detach them using pruning shears, scissors, or a sharp knife. Leave at least an inch of stem on the baby..
- Allow the babies to sit out of soil for several days; this lets the offshoot form a callous over the cut, which helps to protect it from rot. Keep the babies in a warm location with indirect light during this time.
- Once the offshoots have formed callouses, pot them in a standard succulent potting mix. The soil should be well-draining.
- Put the newly-potted pups in a sunny location. Wait at least a week to water and keep the soil rather dry.
I got this information from The Old Farmer’s Almanac at Almanac.com:
