Aloe vera is one of the well-known houseplants with many health and medicinal benefits. This plant is a succulent which stores water in its leaves and thick, fibrous roots. That means you don’t need to worry about watering it regularly. It can rot out quickly when overwatered or when the soil is too heavy and doesn’t readily drain.
This is an easy and excellent houseplant to grow in containers. If you also want to grow this wonderful houseplant in your home, check out the article to know how to grow it in containers and how to use it in the best way.
How To Plant Aloe Vera In Containers?
What is The Best Time To Plant, Transplant Or Repot Aloe Vera:
Summer and spring is the best time to plant or transplant aloe vera. Give your aloe vera at least a month to settle in before the days cool and late fall/winter isn’t ideal because your plants will be resting during these times.
Choosing Soil:
For growing succulent, you can use straight potting soil but perlite or pumice must be added in to aerate and amend the drainage. Don’t forget to water it frequently because it’s a heavier mix. You don’t need to add compost or worm compost to your mix but select the right soil to grow your aloe vera in the container.
How To Split Aloe Vera?
Aloe vera produces small baby plants at the base of it called pups. You can plant them in another container to have another healthy aloe vera plant in your home. However, you need to be careful while splitting it off from the parent plant.
Take a sharp knife and cut it off from the parent plant without hurting its roots. Then plant them in other pot and water them well. You might lose a leaf or two in the process of splitting but don’t worry, aloe vera has thick roots and is one tough cookie.
How To Plant Aloe vera In Container?
- Choose a big and wide container, add 1 to 2 inches of gravel on the bottom of the pot to increase drainage.
- Now, fill the container with a potting mix that is designed for succulents or use a commercially produced mix from a garden store or make your own by mixing 1 part of pasteurized soil, 1 part of sand, and 1 part of peat moss.
- Put some soil in the pot and place aloe vera plant into the pot and cover the root ball with soil. Make sure the soil reaches to the top of the root crown. Never water the plant for a week after placing them in a new container so that the roots can heal.
- Keep the container at a spot where it plants will not freeze. They may need not to be placed indoors during winter or extreme heat. As long as they stay within 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit, they can easily withstand temperature changes.
- Water thoroughly during spring and summer seasons so that the soil is soaked thoroughly. Water it again when the top of the soil feels dry. During winter, water them once or twice in a month.
Tips For Planting Aloe Vera Plant:
- Larger aloe vera plants are quite heavy, choose a container that is 4-8 inches wide. As it produces lots of pups, it needs a healthy and happy room to spread.
- As aloe vera pups are produced they will need the width to expand, so it’s important to plant them in another container to support their healthy growth.
- Water your aloe vera plant only when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Always check the soil with your finger before you water it.
- Cleaning at the base of the plants and its leaves using a wet cloth will not only remove dust but can also keep insects and diseases away from the plant’s surfaces. Placing it under the shower or rain can clean it as well, but be careful not to let the soil get waterlogged.
I hope you like the above information on how to plant aloe vera in containers. If you think your friends have to learn this please share it on your social networks.
Happy Gardening!!
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