The Aloe vera plant (Aloe vera) also known as Sabila is a perennial succulent that is usually grown outdoors, but is also perfect for growing inside the home or office, in this article we teach you how to propagate, cultivate Aloe vera in interiors and their care.
Does Aloe vera grow very big indoors?
When aloe vera is grown outdoors it grows very fast and if planted in the ground it becomes very large.
As a houseplant, it grows very slowly, so you have to be patient if you want a tall plant.
Likewise, being planted in a pot, it will not grow too large. Its size can be adjusted according to the handle used. If it is a small container, the plant will not grow as large.
On the other hand, if you want your aloe vera plants to grow quickly, you will need to keep the pots outside during the summer and then bring them back in the winter.
How to propagate aloe vera
You can propagate aloe vera plants by divisions, by sowing seeds or by cuttings.
But the best and easiest way of propagation is through division.
New shoots of aloe vera plants sprout from the base, called pups.
They can be separated from the parent plant and planted in new soil to grow new plants.
For the dividing process, you must first loosen the soil, this way the roots of the plant will not be affected too much. The delicate plant roots must be handled with great care.
Cut off the little ones from the main plant using a sharp knife, taking care not to break the roots too much.
Now each hatchling should be planted in one pot. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
At first you can use small pots depending on the size of the hatchlings, but as the plant grows you will need to transplant it into a bigger one.
Regarding the soil, the ideal is to use a mixture of equal parts of garden soil, river sand and pebbles or small pebbles.
After filling the pot, the next step is to plant the young ones. To allow them to recover from the shock of transplanting, wait two to three days before watering them.
Growing Aloe Vera Indoors and Its Care
When growing aloe vera indoors, choose a sunny location so it gets plenty of light and grows faster. In cold weather, this plant does not need as much care as in summer and spring.
You can have the aloe vera plants inside the house all year round, but on hot days, if you wish, you can put the pot outside so that it grows quickly, then the return during the cold season.
Irrigation
Overwatering is not good for aloe vera plants. Constant overwatering will kill your plant as the roots and stem will rot.
If you want to avoid this problem, you must first check if the soil is too dry, then water the plant, otherwise wait and let the soil dry out completely.
You can use your finger to check the condition of the soil, if it is completely dry, then water.
Keep in mind that aloe vera plants don’t need a lot of moisture during the winter season.
Large aloe vera plants need a small amount of water two to three times over winter all winter long (about once a month).
If you have smaller aloe vera plants, they need more water than larger ones, on average twice a month during the winter.
light / sun
Light is a very important factor in the growth of aloe vera. Exposure to full sun greatly favors the development of the plant.
When aloe vera is grown as a houseplant, it grows tall and stretchy if it doesn’t get enough sunlight. Ideally, the aloe vera plant gets about 6 hours a day.
A sunny window is the best place to grow aloe vera indoors.
Another option is to use artificial houseplant lights in case you find that your plants are not growing quickly.
Sunlight is important, but artificial lights can be a good substitute for sunlight.
ground earth
Well-drained soil is recommended for indoor aloe vera plants. This plant does not like to have its roots always wet, so it is necessary to use a soil that drains very quickly.
Potting soil made for succulents works great for indoor aloe vera plants. You can also create your mix using equal parts sand, pebbles or small stones and garden soil.
Fertilizer
It is not necessary to fertilize aloe vera plants. But if you want, you can feed them once per growing season using an all-purpose organic succulent fertilizer.
Apply compost in spring or summer, never in winter or fall.
Pests on aloe vera plants
If you grow aloe vera as a houseplant and in the summer you take the pot out and place it outside, it can be affected by certain pests.
This is when aloe vera is exposed to insects such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. These pests can be treated without using pesticides.
You can use a soapy water solution on the affected plant. In a liter of water put a teaspoon of detergent or liquid soap.
This will help remove black mold and soot that has developed as a result of insect feeding and prevent them from coming back. You can also apply insecticidal soap to larger plants.
For small pest infestations, take some ethyl alcohol and dip a cotton swab in it and clean the affected parts.
You can also use Neem oil to get rid of bed bug outbreaks.
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