Planting & propagating aloe vera

The real aloe (Aloe vera) convinces with its healing properties and is a decorative houseplant. So you can use the Aloe vera plant and multiply yourself.

The real aloe (Aloe vera) has found its way into many households. In addition to being a decorative, evergreen succulent, it can also be used as a remedy for skin ailments. This article shows you how to get the Aloe vera can plant, multiply and use.

Aloe vera: origin and properties

the Aloe vera (la vera lat. = "The true"), also known as true or real aloe, originally comes from the Arabian Peninsula and is now also very popular in Germany. The name

Aloe barbadensis is a also valid species name of the real aloe that can be used as a synonym. It belongs to the genus of aloes (aloe) and is therefore part of the grass tree family (Xanthorrhoeaceae). The plant has been known for its healing properties since ancient times, which can provide relief especially for skin problems. Their peculiar appearance and unpretentiousness also ensure that the Aloe vera is often kept as a houseplant.

Even if the Aloe vera often mistaken for a cactus, it is a succulent plant. It usually grows completely without a stem or on a short pseudo-stem. the Aloe vera forms leaves that are arranged like a rosette, which are around 30 to 40 cm long and 6 to 7 cm wide at the base of the leaves before they taper to a point. They are usually lush green or gray-green in color and have conspicuous, firm teeth on the edge. From the third year the Aloe vera bloom in good conditions. In addition, it forms a simple, more rarely a two- or three-way branched inflorescence, which can be 60 to 90 cm high. The flowers are arranged in a cylindrical, 20 to 30 cm long cluster that tapers towards the top. Plus the yellow, red, or orange ones Aloe vera-Flowers a short peduncle and protruding, showy stamens and styles. There is a multitude of types of aloe; you will find the most beautiful in our special article aloe-Species at a glance.

Confusion of the Aloe vera: the Aloe vera can at first glance be confused with the similar-looking agave. On closer inspection, however, some differences can be seen: Inside the leaves are the Aloe vera gel-like, those of the agave are fibrous. The plants also differ in their use: the agave is used for fiber production - some species also for the production of agave syrup or tequila. Most types of agave contain skin-irritating and slightly toxic substances, they should not come into contact with the skin. the Aloe vera however, is considered a special remedy for the skin. In addition, the agave is hardy down to -20 ° C, while the Aloe vera does not tolerate frost.

Plant aloe vera

the Aloe vera is a plant that is easy to care for and can usually be cultivated without any problems. We tell you which earth for the Aloe vera What is particularly suitable is what needs to be considered when choosing a location and how to use the Aloe vera properly cares.

The right location for the aloe vera

Because of her original home is the Aloe vera a true sun worshiper who loves a warm, full sun location. The is suitable as a houseplant Aloe vera very good if you offer it the right location. Because of their high demand for sunlight, a place at the south window or in a winter garden is perfect. Warm temperatures of 20 to 25 ° C are for that Aloe vera ideal. The can tolerate darker locations Aloe vera also, it grows much more slowly here but shows a less strong green.

The plant is difficult to cultivate in the garden because the Aloe vera does not tolerate temperatures below 5 ° C. It should therefore be planted in a tub and brought into the house in summer. In spring, around mid-May, the plant can move from its winter quarters to a sunny place outdoors, as long as there is no longer any danger of late frosts. You should only get used to the plant slowly to a new location - if it is placed in the blazing sun directly from its winter quarters, the leaves can be sunburned. If the temperatures drop again in September, the plant should be brought back to its winter quarters. A bright room with mild temperatures of a maximum of 15 ° C is suitable for this. The winter garden, the stairwell or unheated living rooms are very suitable for this.

Which soil is suitable for aloe vera?

Not only in its location, but also in its soil Aloe vera Special requirements: The soil for growing the plant should be mineral, rich in nutrients and at the same time low in humus. Satisfactory growth can also be observed in normal potting soil, but this should be repotted more often. Good soil permeability is particularly important in order to avoid waterlogging and the associated diseases. A cactus or succulent soil is best suited as a substrate, as this fulfills the conditions of the aloe well. Alternatively, you can make a high-quality house plant soil with sand, primary rock powder and expanded clay yourself. A high-quality soil provides the plant with the best possible nutrients so that it can grow healthily. At the same time, the addition of sand ensures good ventilation and water permeability, which is important for succulents. Primary rock powder and expanded clay also add value to the soil - they give the soil more structure and stability, so the earth does not collapse so quickly. Our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil is very suitable as a basis, for example, as it provides the plant with long-term supply and, thanks to its clay content, can also store nutrients well.

Tip Mix the cactus and succulent soil yourself: If you want to make cactus soil yourself, you can mix around 50% universal soil with 10% quartz sand, 30% expanded clay fragments and 10% primary rock powder made from basalt or granite. This creates a loose, well-ventilated substrate that can store water and nutrients sufficiently well and at the same time avoids waterlogging.

Plant aloe vera

Planting the Aloe vera is easy and almost always works. This will require a pot that is suitable for the size of the plant. Then some expanded clay can be added to the bottom of the pot to create good drainage and protect it from waterlogging. the Aloe vera can then be placed in the pot and the roots covered with soil. Here again a cactus and succulent soil or alternatively a self-made cactus soil is suitable. The soil should be pressed lightly and watered well. Finally, the Aloe vera be brought to their sunny, warm location. The roots have already grown after a few weeks. Like them Aloe vera You can pour, fertilize and cut properly in our special article on Aloe vera-care read up.

Propagating aloe vera: offshoots, seeds and Co.

The multiplication of the Aloe vera is diverse and child's play, it usually does it by itself via Kindel. Propagation via seeds or leaf cuttings is also possible Aloe vera possible.

Pull aloe vera offshoots

The real aloe forms so-called kindels. These are offshoots that are connected to the mother plant via a shoot, but form their own roots. To the Aloe vera to multiply over the Kindel, the old one must Aloe vera taken out of the bucket and freed from excess soil. the Aloe vera-Kindles can then usually be separated from the mother plant with your fingers. Caution: They should be at least five centimeters high so that the new plant can be raised. Once the children have been won, they are put in their own pot, covered with earth and poured on. A cactus and succulent soil or a self-made substrate based on a high-quality soil like ours is suitable for this Plantura organic universal soil. A big one soon developed Aloe vera-Plant that also produces abundant Kindel itself.

Propagate aloe vera from seeds

Propagation by seeds is a little more complicated. If you don't have a mother plant from which Kindel can be taken, you can still grow real aloe from seeds. The best time to sow is from May, when the days are longer and there is more light. To do this, the seeds can be placed in a small pot on damp earth and gently pushed in so that the upper part still protrudes from the earth. The pot can then be covered with a pane of glass or cling film - this creates a mini greenhouse that allows the seeds to germinate better. It is best to keep the pot in a warm place such as the windowsill, the ideal germination temperature for the aloe seeds is around 25 ° C. Occasionally the lid of the mini greenhouse should be lifted to prevent fungal growth. After 2 to 4 weeks, the seeds will begin to germinate.

Can you plant aloe vera leaves?

A third way to multiply the Aloe vera is the setting of leaf cuttings. This is almost as easy as Kindel propagation. To do this, one of the outer, healthy leaves of the plant can be cut off with a sharp knife. Then it has to Aloe vera-Air dry the sheet for a few days until the cut is dry. About a third of the leaf can then be placed in a pot filled with soil and lightly pressed so that it does not fall over. Here again a self-made cactus soil or a special cactus and succulent soil are suitable. Finally, the leaf must be well watered so that the root formation is stimulated. In a warm, sunny place - like the windowsill - the soil should then be kept constantly moist for four weeks: Then the leaf should have grown. From now on, the new plant - like older aloe plants - can be watered cautiously.

Is aloe vera hardy?

To the vitality of the Aloe vera it should be overwintered. Is the Aloe vera outside, they are brought to winter quarters from September onwards. As a houseplant, it can remain in its place until the end of October, but should then be moved to winter quarters.
Wintering is best done in a bright room with a constant temperature between 5 and 15 ° C. Conservatories, bright stairwells or unheated living spaces are best. During the winter break, the plant needs less water. Fertilization is not necessary. From March the real aloe can move back to a warmer place. However, they should only be brought outdoors from May, when there is no more frost.

Repot the aloe vera

Like any other potted plant, the Aloe vera occasionally be repotted, as the substrate has sagged or is depleted of trace elements and growth is inhibited. Depending on the age of the plant and the substrate, it must be repotted about every two to five years. Good indications that a pot change is necessary is a reduced growth of the plant or when the children reach the edge of the pot. If the latter is the case, it is advisable to repot in the same train as the propagation.

First the old one Aloe vera taken out of the pot and roughly freed from soil and dead leaves. Then it can be put in the new, larger pot. The plant should be inserted about as deep into the earth as before. If the lower part is already lignified, it can also be set a little deeper. A self-made cactus soil - for example based on ours - is suitable as a substrate Plantura organic universal soil - or a special cactus and succulent soil. Especially with large plants, it is advisable to additionally support the aloe with wooden sticks until it has anchored itself in the ground - otherwise the heavy plant can tip over quickly.

tip: If you have your Aloe vera want to use it as a medicinal plant, a regular harvest is necessary. How do you Aloe vera harvest and use you can find out in our special article.

Have you got a taste for succulents? Also read our overview of the 10th most beautiful, hardy succulent species.