Repotting aloe vera in 6 steps: Instructions

Aloe vera is an exotic beauty that is very popular with many plant lovers. Although its requirements are very specific, the succulent plant copes well with the conditions in the living room. The plant should be repotted regularly for healthy growth. In these step-by-step instructions you will read everything you need to know about repotting.

Ideal time to repot

The aloe vera can be repotted all year round. When the succulent plant is in full bloom, you should avoid repotting. This means stress for the plant, which significantly affects the flowering. Late spring is ideal, when the aloe has already awakened from its hibernation. Between May and June, the sunlight ensures that the plant can quickly recover in the new pot. You can also transplant the aloe in autumn. How often you have to repot the plant depends on the growth:

• A cycle of two to three years is common
• when the substrate is completely rooted
• at the latest when roots grow out of the substrate and drainage holes

Instructions for repotting

When it comes time to move the succulent plant into a new pot, some preparation should be made. Repotting is quick and easy, so you can enjoy the lush growth of the

Be able to delight in desert beauty. After transplanting, pay attention to the optimal location and the right care so that the plant can get used to it.

Choose pot

Choosing the right tub is more important with aloe vera than with other plants. Do not use flower pots made of light material such as plastic. These variants are not able to regulate the water balance. There is a risk that the roots will die off due to excessive moisture. Models that taper towards the bottom are also unsuitable. Although they look beautiful, they do not offer the plant any stability. Larger specimens in particular are very top-heavy and would easily tip over in the conically shaped pots. By doing this, you run the risk of the leaves breaking off. The ideal pot looks like this:

• heavy and robust bucket
• materials such as clay or terracotta are ideal
• broad base
• at least one drainage hole
• not painted, but natural

Note: Did you know that aloe vera can close your wounds? In this way, the plant protects itself against excessive water loss, but visible scars remain.

Apply drainage

Make a good one

Water drainage so that the real aloe does not get wet feet. The more permeable and coarser the substrate, the less water it can store. It flows quickly to the bottom of the pot and collects in the saucer. Drainage directly on the bottom of the pot makes no sense if you do not mix soil with the substrate. Instead, provide a buffer in the coaster or planter. Cover the ground with gravel or smaller stones and place the plant pot on top.

Tip: Usually the water that is collected increases the humidity, which is good for many plants. With the aloe vera, you should immediately pour off excess water, because the succulent plant likes very dry air.

Implement aloe vera

Carefully lift the plant out of its old pot. You should proceed with the utmost caution because the leaves break easily. Put on gloves to protect yourself from the fine spines. So that the succulent plant does not stand directly on the ground in the new pot, you should fill in some sand and gravel before planting it. Then the root ball is placed in the new bucket.

Fill up with substrate

The succulent has adapted to a rather hostile habitat in which the soils are sandy and poor in nutrients. Calcareous soils are tolerated. The substrate does not store water, so aloe species had to develop special structures to store water. When rain falls, they absorb water through their roots and store it in the fleshy leaves. Therefore, the real aloe does not tolerate waterlogging. A substrate in which the water drains quickly is ideal. You can buy cactus or succulent soil for the new pot, but the compositions vary depending on the manufacturer. Make sure that the earth does not contain clay but rather large amounts of sand. If you want to be on the safe side, you can make a mix yourself:

• Pumice
• coarse sand or perlite
• Granite chippings

Choose location

Aloe vera originally comes from tropical and subtropical climates. Typically warm temperatures and high humidity prevail here. However, the plant has adapted to locations that get a lot of sun and are very dry. The plant does not like high humidity, which is why a place in the bathroom is rather unsuitable. The plant feels good on the windowsill in the living room when it is not exposed to the blazing sun. Too much sun causes the leaves to turn brown. A west or east facing window with a few hours of sunshine in the morning and evening is ideal. During the summer months, the aloe vera can be put outside, provided that certain aspects are observed:

• slowly get used to the location
• choose a protected place
• does not tolerate wind or rain
• bring in in the fall

Tip: Place the freshly repotted plant in a shady place in the house for the first few days so that it can adapt to the new substrate.

Further care

The real aloe proves to be an extremely easy-care plant if it is placed in a suitable location. In the first few weeks after repotting, you should not give the plant any water. Once it has settled in well, you can give the aloe a shot glass full of water every four weeks. The plant does not need more moisture. You can do without fertilizers completely, as the plant is adapted to nutrient-poor locations. Occasional fertilization with a special fertilizer does not harm the real aloe. If you want to harvest the leaves for consumption, you should use an organic fertilizer with no chemical additives. Do not wet the leaves with water. This quickly leads to rotting.

Tip: A decrease in elasticity or changes in the color of the leaves are an indication that you should increase the watering quantity.