Aloe vera care

The Aloe vera plant requires a bright, but not direct sunlight, a dry, cool place in winter. Proper wintering is also important because most species bloom in winter. The most commonly cultivated (succulent) species prefer loose, well-draining soil. They can be easily propagated from their offsets, and branching species can also be propagated from cuttings made from cut branches.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that easily thrives in semi-arid and arid climates. Its ability to withstand drought and retain water in its fleshy leaves has enabled it to survive in harsh desert conditions. The plant's succulent leaves contain a gel-like substance rich in beneficial components such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and polysaccharides, contributing to its healing properties.

A Brief History of Aloe vera

The history of Aloe vera stretches back thousands of years, with the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans discovering its healing properties. It was used for its medicinal benefits, in religious rituals, and for cosmetic purposes. In ancient Egypt, Aloe vera was considered the plant of immortality.

Through trade routes, it spread to other parts of the world, finding its way to India, China, and other Asian countries, where it became an integral part of traditional medicine.

In recent history, Aloe vera became very popular in the 20th century as a natural remedy and a cosmetic ingredient. Its cooling and moisturizing properties made it a popular choice among skincare product ingredients.

Today, numerous body lotions containing Aloe vera are available, and due to its cooling effect, many use it or have heard of it as a treatment for sunburn. It is cultivated in many parts of the world and increasingly used across various industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and herbal medicine, thanks to its numerous health benefits and versatile uses.

Caring for Aloe vera

Briefly: Aloe vera care involves placing it in a bright location with little direct sunlight. Water depending on temperature and humidity; its soil should be well-draining, as it does not like stagnant water. It can be grown at temperatures between 50°F and 95°F. Below, you can read detailed instructions on how to care for the Aloe vera plant, because although it seems simple, many mistakes can be made during its cultivation.

Light Requirements

Aloe vera requires a bright place both in winter and summer, so it is ideal to place it in a location where it gets several hours of light each day. Indoors, it can be placed near a southwest-facing window, where it can tolerate even the less intense direct sunlight.

In summer, during midday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.), when sunlight is intense and temperatures are high, it is best to keep it in a shady or sun-free place, as very strong sunlight can brown and burn its fresh green leaves.

Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can dry out its leaves completely and even kill them. Under such conditions, a weaker plant can completely dry out within a few days.

Dried leaves will not regain their original state, but stronger, only browned leaves will eventually regain their original green color if they are protected from direct sunlight in the future.

In the garden or on the terrace, place it in a semi-shaded location, where it only gets direct sunlight in the late afternoon or evening hours, or under a tree where it receives filtered sunlight.

The plant should be gradually acclimated to full sun. This can be started when it has grown to about 6 inches tall. Initially, expose it to half an hour to an hour of sunlight, then increase this time every few days. As the plant grows and strengthens, it will tolerate direct sunlight better.

Temperature Requirements

Aloe vera is a tropical plant, so it does not like the cold. If the outdoor temperature drops below 50°F, it is advisable to bring it indoors. A larger, stronger specimen can withstand temperatures down to 41°F, but it is not worth experimenting with, as it rarely survives freezing temperatures.

In the shade, it can withstand temperatures of 95°F to 104°F, but if this is accompanied by dryness, it will need to be watered more frequently. The best temperature for it is between 63°F and 81°F.

Water Requirements

Aloe vera's water requirement is low; it is said to survive up to half a year without watering. Overzealous watering does more harm than good to the plant, as its roots easily rot in stagnant water. Most Aloe vera plants die due to improper watering. It is better to underwater than overwater.

Allow its soil to dry out completely between waterings; this is very important. However, when it's time, water it thoroughly, letting the soil soak completely, but pour out any excess water from the saucer under the pot.

Under average conditions, watering once a week is sufficient. During hot summer days, you may need to check it more frequently, but if water remains in the saucer after watering, pour it out immediately. If not, you may notice that the lower leaves turn yellow, soften, become waterlogged, droop, and then wilt. If you see this, water likely remained under the pot. If you pour it out, Aloe vera will be saved, but the leaf that has already started wilting will not recover. If its leaves become waterlogged, it may be due to insufficiently draining soil or too much watering.

If Aloe vera is kept in the bathroom in winter, it receives a lot of moisture without proper ventilation. In this case, it almost doesn't need watering, as it absorbs enough water from the air, and an unnecessary watering after this could kill the plant if its soil cannot dry quickly.

On dry, warm summer days, Aloe vera kept outdoors, if kept in very well-draining soil, can be watered every three days. However, be careful, as if there is a cooling or rainfall after watering, and the plant's soil cannot dry out, the lower leaves can easily become waterlogged.

It is impossible to set a rule for how many days Aloe vera needs watering; monitor its soil to ensure it is not constantly wet, but if its soil separates from the pot's sides, it may be time for watering. Aloe vera also "signals" if it needs more water: its leaves feel soft and compressible, rather than firm and springy.

A relatively simple method can determine if it is time to water Aloe vera again. To do this, push a thin stick into the soil directly at the edge of the pot (to avoid damaging its roots) and try to carefully pull up a tiny amount of soil from the bottom of the pot. If the soil brought to the surface is wet, it is not yet time to water Aloe vera. Wait until its soil is completely dry.

Fertilization

Fertilizing is recommended but not necessarily required if the water used for watering is rich in minerals. However, like all plants, Aloe vera will thrive better with extra nutrients. Fertilize it with a fertilizer suitable for foliage plants at every second watering.

Foliage plants should be watered with a fertilizer rich in nitrogen. The N-P-K value can be read on the bottle; if the first number is the largest, you have chosen well. The concentration is listed on the bottle; do not make a stronger fertilizer solution, as Aloe vera cannot utilize it and will be over-fertilized unnecessarily.

Planting and Transplanting Aloe Vera

When planting and transplanting aloe vera, the most important thing is to use soil with very good drainage. If planting aloe vera in a pot, it is essential to have large drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

It requires soil with excellent water management, which means the soil structure is loose, airy, and has good water permeability, allowing excess water to drain away after watering. Do not skimp on using good soil; soil from the garden is unlikely to be suitable. Among store-bought soils, choose one with a loose structure and mix some fine gravel with the peat soil to prevent it from compacting around the roots.

If our plant feels good, it will reward us with small offshoots. When the offshoots reach a height of 6 inches, separate them from the mother plant. After that, the aloe vera offshoots can be transplanted and continue their lives in their own pots.

When transplanting and separating aloe vera, be very careful with the roots, as they are very fragile and can easily break. Generally, aloe vera does not develop a large root system, so there is no need for a deep, so-called palm pot during transplantation. Instead, choose a wide, shallow dish-like container. If planted in a pot that is too narrow, it will need to be transplanted more frequently.

After planting, water it thoroughly and let the water flow through the soil. If aloe vera has been planted in a pot, be sure to pour out the water that drains into the saucer or cachepot! Let the soil dry out completely before the next watering.

Overwintering Aloe Vera

In its original habitat, it is accustomed to a warm environment, so during the overwintering of aloe vera, a temperature between 50°F and 77°F is recommended, but it can survive down to 41°F. It is not frost-resistant, so in regions where winter is cold, it must be brought to a warm place. Protect it from drafts.

During overwintering, it still needs light, so keep it in a place where it can receive indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours and where the temperature is at least 50°F. In the home, it can be placed near a window, on a heated terrace, in a conservatory, or in a well-lit stairwell. The warmer the place it is kept, the more light it will need in winter, because in a dark and warm place, the leaf tissues will elongate, and it will produce light green and weak shoots.

If the apartment is humid, watering is rarely needed, every 2-3 weeks is sufficient, but in drier climate apartments, it should not be watered more often than every 10-15 days in winter. The plant has adapted to a low-humidity environment, so it generally does not need humidification and can handle the dry indoor air of winter. However, if you notice the leaf tips browning or drying, it could be a sign of too low humidity.

Reduce fertilization in winter as well; watering with fertilizer every third watering is sufficient. Also, in winter, be careful of stagnant water, as aloe vera roots do not get air in waterlogged soil.

Pruning and Thinning Aloe Vera

It is not necessary to prune aloe vera as one would other plants, but it may be necessary to remove the lower leaves. It is better to remove brown, yellow, withered, waterlogged, or diseased leaves. Use a sharp knife to cut the leaf as close to the plant's trunk as possible.

To maintain the plant's shape, you can remove the lower/outer leaves, which will also encourage the plant to produce new leaves in the center and grow faster. Over time (after a long period), it may naturally shed its lower leaves, which will first turn yellow and then wither.

When cultivating aloe vera, growers harvest the lower, outermost leaves. Harvesting the lower leaves is possible after 2 months if the plant is developing nicely, but growers usually wait longer (up to 9 months) as it is important for them that the outermost leaves and the entire plant grow large enough.

Some websites spread incorrect information that the leaf sap can only be used after a few years, leading some to ask how to determine the age of the aloe vera. To answer this question, it is not exactly determinable, but it is not important from this perspective, as you can safely cut and use the outermost leaves of an aloe vera that is 6 inches tall, although the gel content of such a small leaf is still quite small.

It is important to know that there are more than 400 types of aloe vera plants, but the most commonly cultivated variety for consumption is Aloe vera barbadensis Miller (medical aloe vera), which is also the most cultivated variety for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

Propagating Aloe Vera

Propagating Aloe Vera from Offshoots

The easiest way to propagate aloe vera is from offshoots. Aloe vera plants sprout well even at a young age, but it is worth waiting until the offshoots reach a size of 4-6 inches before separating them. Then, gently remove the plant from the pot, carefully remove the soil from its roots, and locate the origin of the offshoot.

Use a sharp knife to separate it from the mother plant and plant your new aloe vera in appropriate loose, not too compact, and airy soil. Of course, it is not necessary to separate the offshoots from the mother plant, as they also make a beautiful decoration in a group. However, in this case, make sure to choose a pot that is wide enough for your plant!

Propagating Aloe Vera Without Roots

Aloe vera can also be propagated without roots if, for any reason, the offshoot has no roots, as the small offshoots will root nicely when placed in soil, but they can also be rooted in water. For faster rooting in water, a little fertilizer may be needed. It is important that the base of the offshoots be dry before rooting, so let them rest in the air for 2-5 days.

Rooting a Broken Aloe Vera Leaf

Rooting a broken aloe vera leaf under normal conditions is not possible. Although many videos show this without results and you can try it yourself in water and soil, the outcome will almost certainly be the rotting of the leaf.

You can propagate from a leaf if you include part of the plant's stem and the rooting section with it, keeping these parts attached to the leaf. Let it dry for a week, then plant it in soil. This way, it will start producing new shoots within 1-2 weeks.

Rooting Aloe Vera in Water

Rooting aloe vera in water is a bit tricky because it roots quickly and vigorously if the base of the offshoot's stem just touches the water or floats just above it. Before rooting, let the offshoots rest in the air for 2 - 5 days so that the base of the stem is dry and craving water.

What worked for me was cutting off the top and bottom of a half-liter plastic bottle, then placing the top part upside down in the bottom part (so the mouth was facing downwards), and putting the offshoot in this. Change the water with fresh water every few days.

Aloe Vera Flowering

Aloe vera flowers once a year in winter, with the flower emerging from the center and towering above the leaves. Only a mature, healthy, larger-sized aloe vera that is at least two years old will bloom. Aloe vera kept indoors or as an ornamental plant rarely flowers under normal conditions.

To encourage flowering, you need to create ideal winter conditions for it. This is easiest to do in winter when the house is naturally cooler. The ideal temperature range is 41 - 50 °F (5 - 10 °C) at night and 50 - 64 °F (10 - 18 °C) during the day. In the house, try to place it in the coolest spot. Additionally, it should receive plenty of sunlight, at least 6 hours but less than 12 hours. It does not need direct sunlight; the important thing is that it gets light. Avoid giving it artificial light in the evening, as this can trick the plant into thinking it is still daytime.

Aloe Vera Diseases, Pests, and Main Causes of Demise

• Root rot: caused by overwatering, which can rot the roots of the aloe vera. The first sign of overwatering is if the plant's leaves become waterlogged. It's advisable to remove the waterlogged leaf because the sap flows back to the plant's stem and roots, exacerbating the problem.
• If the leaf turns yellow, softens, and becomes waterlogged, it's a sign of overwatering. Do not water the plant further, as this can kill it. Remove the affected leaf and let the soil dry out completely. If multiple leaves are waterlogged at once, it is better to carefully remove the plant from the soil and let it dry in the air for 1-2 days before replanting.

• Scale insects mainly attack in winter, feeding on the leaves, sucking them, and clinging stubbornly. Signs include rust-brown spots, bugs on the leaf, sticky leaves, white chalky spots on the leaves, leaf tips drying out, and eventually the whole leaf.
  The simplest way to remove them is with an insecticide. The organic method requires more perseverance. Remove the larger, visible scale insects by hand or carefully with a toothpick, then thoroughly wash the leaves. If the leaf is not sticky, clean water can be used, but the stickiness cannot be removed well without detergent or soap. The washing may need to be repeated, possibly several times, if the scale insects return. One reason for this is that scale insects like to hide at the base of the leaves, which cannot be completely accessed, and tiny, almost invisible scale insects may remain on the leaves even after thorough washing.
• Leaves can suddenly turn brown, burn, and dry out from strong and excessive direct sunlight. As soon as you see this, move the plant to a shadier or completely direct-sunlight-free but bright place. After this, slightly browned but otherwise healthy-looking leaves can regain their vibrant green color after a few days or 1-2 weeks. Unfortunately, severely burned, dried leaves will not recover.
• Leaf tips can brown for several reasons. If the leaf otherwise looks healthy, it could be caused by a sudden drop in temperature, cold drafts, or low humidity. Another cause could be too much salt in the soil or very chlorinated tap water, as the plant is sensitive to these. If the leaves are also waterlogged, the plant has likely been overwatered or the humidity is very high.
• Fuzzy mold can appear around the roots, base, and stem due to overwatering. Sunlight has antifungal properties and also dries out the soil, so the simplest solution for mold is to place the plant in the sun for short periods. Minor infections can be remedied in 1-2 days with this sun treatment.