How to Grow Aloe Vera

<?xml encoding="utf-8" ?><p>So, you want to grow your own Aloe Vera, that's great news as it is really simple to do and will give you plenty of reward. This plant is very famous for having thick fleshy leaves and containing cooling gel so, it has become quite popular in many homes across the world both as a houseplant and as a medicine. There is very little that your plant needs in order for it to grow and flourish, although it will respond well to the right growing conditions. If you want a detailed outline of what Aloe Vera requires please continue reading!</p><h3>Aloe Vera Growing Guide:</h3><h2>1. Planting conditions for Aloe Vera</h2><p><img alt="aloe vera plant in plant pot, aloe vera flower, growing aloe vera plant at home," src="https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/DiWIT_Hd2QwOwp1VqzMDHxN8IyVa-8jIw6fJ-KeMEghuhyiwkFJqeD7vJtMaTYd3TUB2AtAhU_cBYHH_FFvCytuC5tbbSFlJAVr92XHa7PhdsAG2C553ojoT17Hmj51lubvTzXmyp3UZcVcRQrBWReT6_h5OTBMOu4TLSFvfSgLXpGLMJTuEICKt0NT6I8f_?purpose=fullsize" style="height:300px; width:450px"></p><p> Aloe Vera hates water logged soil, therefore it requires good drainage. Either you can purchase a succulent and cactus mix, or you can create your own mix from normal potting soil and sand or perlite, which will make it drain properly.</p><p> The type of pot used is also vital, and terracotta is a highly favoured choice because it will draw moisture out of the soil, preventing it from becoming to damp. Ensure your plant is in a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom; if you do anything wrong and if your plant dies, the most likely reason would be because of over watering and this is easily prevented if the plant is properly drained.</p><p>Ensure your pot isn't a great deal larger than the root ball, you want the root ball to fit neatly inside the pot. Ensure that you do not bury the leaves too deep within the soil so that the leaf is just slightly above the level of the soil. The plant should establish quickly once potted.</p><h2>2)Aloe Vera: light and water requirements</h2><p><img alt="Close up of aloe vera plant with big green leaves growing outdoors on sunny day" src="https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UHVN5WnBD9zIAmqVL6mHG2LL16WA7kEFFM2T_xwznQmgkZKoJz16wAJy3zE6kDe6g1A3XdrPw585NOVS3n7ZUnv-pmQjh7kYCSAe0713GP-9ZOv8j3gNK-iiRs_cG-nrGGuIWxDS8vpo5EqUGUY0FphkZduVTdwGEGqgkQTollg1f1lJjcWG7dvztaFUnG-9?purpose=fullsize" style="height:300px; width:450px"></p><p>Aloe Vera does want quite a lot of light and it's best to have your plant in an area with a couple of hours of direct sun and a couple of hours of bright indirect light. If you are placing the plant indoors it's best to place the plant in a south or west facing window and outdoors the Aloe Vera loves sun. You'll want to give your plant at least an hour or two of sun and it should have at least one hour of sun even if the temperature is hot.</p><p>You'll need to water your Aloe Vera though, just not very much. You'll want to water when the soil has completely dried out completely. It is possible for the plant to survive being watered every two to three weeks in extremely hot weather, however this will only be a bit less than that in cooler temperatures. You'll only want to water at the roots of the plant so don't wet the plant at all. Don't allow water to pool up on the pot. You'll want to wait for the plant to become completely dry before watering it again. This can cause a yellowing, sometimes mushy effect to the leaves which will eventually lead to root rot, or it could also cause the leaves to droop and curl which is signs that you are not watering the plant enough.</p><p>The plant does hold a lot of water in its leaves, and you do not need to water it too much, and a plant that is not over-watered is better than a plant that is under-watered. This is a plant that really prefers one good soaking as opposed to many light waterings throughout the month.</p><h2>3. Propagating and caring for Aloe Vera</h2><p><img alt="Potting, transplanting and reproduction is the separation of the children of the Aloe Vera plant. Succulent on the table, pot, soil, scoop" src="https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/ST2hzD1Y9I0s1RkVrXB3nZVxzTmMPjH2bGUB-lH1gK-pGg1kkocRTBs0Ql807SKMebSQkvxMg20eBrSeMe_VZM-VZIHdaOx0yW6oO1saXseBedNmmxMVfgAjOgSBHMHP4DNWX25a8oICzFFgWXBtRnjuhalLH43ORSorrmB13UYo_o75touoXzwfVLGdWUgf?purpose=fullsize" style="height:300px; width:450px"></p><p> An added benefit of the Aloe Vera is how easily it propagates. Mature plants will have a pup or off shoot which can be separated from the parent plant and planted into another pot of well drained soil. Wait until the off shoot is approximately a few inches high and it already has roots of its own. Once the off shoot has been removed it can be planted and you must then be careful not to over-water the new plant! It should be treated in the same way as the parent plant, with the correct amount of light.</p><p> You may like to feed your plant a small amount of succulent feed during the months of spring and summer, though it really does not require it! You will have to watch for dead leaves, however the mealy bug usually is not an issue. As the Aloe Vera grows, you will have to replant it every few years, though as you'll end up having lots, you will have to pass your Aloe Vera on to friends!</p>