Aloe vera, an easy-to-care-for succulent, boosts the visual appeal of your living area while providing a soothing gel for your skin. This plant can be grown inside in your garden area or outside.
When planting outdoors, be mindful not to water too frequently. Excess moisture can lead to root rot and ultimately the death of a succulent.
How to Grow Aloe
Aloe is a tropical succulent that thrives indoors, but you can also plant it outdoors in warm climates. Aloe requires sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
Sandi loam, cactus mix or peat-free multipurpose potting soil are ideal for growing aloe plants and can usually be found at most garden centers.
Watering aloe plants with care is essential, but you should reduce their watering during the winter. Too much moisture in the soil can cause root rot, which then allows bacteria and fungi to flourish.
When planting aloe in a pot, use one that’s at least twice the size of its root ball. Doing this will allow the potting soil to dry out more rapidly between waterings.
Small pots can leave your plant’s roots exposed to too much moisture, increasing the likelihood of root rot at the base. This issue may result in mushy or limp leaves as well as other symptoms that give off an unhealthful impression.
Another common consequence of overwatering is algae growth on the surface of the soil, which can negatively impact your aloe’s appearance and prevent it from abstaining nutrients properly. To avoid this issue, check the water level regularly, making sure it’s not completely submerged in water.
Finally, be sure not to overwater your aloe in the summertime as this can lead to aloe rust – a fungal disease that develops on its leaves. Although not a serious condition, this condition can weaken your plant and eventually lead to its demise.
Avoid feeding your aloe during the summer months, as too much fertilizer can cause root rot and promote bacteria and fungus growth that eventually kills the plant. You can use a slow-release fertilizer such as granular type but only give it once every month for best results.
Aloe can be challenging to maintain indoors, but with these simple guidelines and the ideal climate your plant will flourish. If you live in a warmer climate year-round, consider planting your aloe outside and nurturing it as needed.
Propagate Aloe
Aloe vera is an easy plant to care for and has many uses. Its soothing gel can be used for soothing burns or irritated skin, as well as adding flavor to drinks and foods. If you already have an aloe plant or want to green up your home, propagating it and turning it into a new plant is very simple!
Propagating aloe vera plants is easy through root division. This technique works because aloe plants produce offshoots or “pups,” that sprout off their mother plant’s stem or roots and are able to survive until they establish independent root systems.
Begin by searching for a healthy pup at the base of your mother aloe plant that measures at least 2 to 3 inches long. Gently brush away any top soil to reveal its underground stem and roots.
Once you’ve identified your offshoot, cut it away from its mother plant while leaving part of its stalk intact to encourage root development. Let the separated offset sit on a dry surface for two or three days to help form a callus and prevent bacteria from invading and ruining it.
Once your offset plant has dried completely, repot it into its own container with fresh soil-based potting mix. You can reuse the same pot your mother plant is in or upgrade to a larger one for improved growth and drainage.
Give your new aloe offshoots the proper amount of water and nutrients, they should be able to survive until their own roots have developed. This may take several weeks or months, but eventually your plant should be ready for planting.
Aloes make excellent cutting plants due to their succulent nature and root-friendly nature. However, aloes contain so much water in their leaves that they may be susceptible to rotting if not stored correctly for at least two weeks prior to planting them in a dry place.
Harvest Aloe
Aloe vera is a widely used household item to treat sunburn, minor burns and moisturize skin. It also has mucilaginous properties which help soothe dry and sensitive skin.
When applying aloe vera externally or internally, fresh harvested is best. Bottled aloe vera should never be consumed since it contains a chemical preservative which could pose serious health risks if consumed.
Aloe is not only used topically as a remedy, but can also be consumed to strengthen your immunity and reduce the likelihood of colds or flus. Its mucilaginous qualities make it an ideal addition to many foods; add it to smoothies or juices for its nutrient-rich benefits; or blend it into paste form and incorporate into other food items to make them even nutrient-richer.
Aloe vera gel can be stored at room temperature for one to two days, or up to one week when refrigerated or frozen. While the gel remains fine in an airtight container when kept at room temperature, freezing may discolor it due to the high concentration of aloin sap that seeps out of its leaves during storage.
You can quickly and easily remove this sticky sap by cutting a portion of the leaf at its base and draining it. This process will eliminate all the bitter-tasting aloin sap and reveal the clear gel inside – the true essence of this plant.
Before you begin, be sure to thoroughly wash your hand in order to avoid contamination from dirt or bacteria on the leaves. A clean hand will make cutting and draining aloe easier.
Place the cut leaf in a glass or jar with its cut end facing down, and let drain for 15 minutes. Rinse off any remaining aloe juice and pat it dry to finish.
Once the aloe has dried, you can either peel away its skin in strips or slice down the center and pull it apart. Both methods yield a generous amount of aloe gel.
Use Aloe
Aloe vera is an all-natural skin and hair care product that can also be consumed as a drink. It’s packed full of vitamin C, calcium and magnesium for healthy skin and hair growth as well as anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
Topical application of vitamin E is an ideal treatment for sunburns and chapped lips. Additionally, its moisturizing properties help prevent dryness and flaking by keeping skin hydrated.
However, before consuming aloe it is essential to read the label and adhere strictly to instructions. Consuming aloe may inhibit blood clotting abilities in the body and should therefore be avoided before surgery.
If you decide to consume aloe, consult with your doctor about its safety and potential effects. Aloe latex contains anthraquinones that act as laxatives and should not be consumed by pregnant women or those nursing.
Fresh aloe vera gel can be purchased in grocery or health food stores. Make sure that the products you select are labeled organic or contain only natural ingredients.
For optimal freshness, cut aloe into small cubes and store it in either your fridge or freezer. You can also extend its shelf life by adding lemon juice as a natural preservative.
Another effective way to extend the shelf life of aloe vera is to blend it with water. Doing this helps preserve its nutrients and prevents them from oxidizing.
This is an affordable way to make an aloe-based beverage that offers a refreshing alternative to sugary beverages. Enjoy it plain or add it into smoothies and cocktails for additional flavor.
Make it even hydrating by mixing honey and yogurt together. Yogurt acts as an antibacterial, helping reduce oil secretion while honey has known for its hydrating qualities.
Aloe vera gel can be purchased at most health food stores or online. It also comes in concentrates, powdered extracts and capsules for convenience. Aloe vera gel provides a safe and effective solution for protecting yourself against sunburns, wounds and burns.
