Aloe Vera is a succulent-type plant that grows really well both indoors and outside. I am growing it in both spots quite successfully. For centuries it’s been praised for its medicinal properties, and these days it can be found commercially in lots of different forms.
GROWING ALOE VERA
Soil and Water
When growing aloe vera in a pot, whether inside or out, the soil needs to be well draining. I use potting mix but add in lots of perlite and course sand. A commercial potting mix that is suited to succulents and cactuses is ideal. Give your plant regular, light waterings but allow the soil to almost dry out between waterings. Never leave the pot sitting in water as the roots will rot very quickly.
Light and Temperature
Aloe plants can withstand a wide range of light conditions. My indoor pots are in a room that gets bright morning light, although the light doesn’t shine directly onto the pots. This room is quite dull in the afternoons. I’ve also grown it in direct sun before, directly in the ground and in pots. When grown in direct sun the leaves will turn an orangy-brown colour and can burn and deteriorate. However as soon as you move them back into a more shady area the plants will green up again.
If they are not getting enough sunlight they will start to elongate – ie they will develop more of a stem than the typical compact rosette shape. The plant to the left here, is starting to do this, so I’ve just move it somewhere slightly sunnier.
Aloe Vera does not tolerate frosts – they should bounce back after a slight frost, however, a severe frost will kill them.
Propagating
Propagating your aloe vera plant is very easy. As your plant becomes established it will start growing “pups” or baby plants around its base. Once these pups have three or four leaves of their own, you can gently dig the soil away from its base and separate it from the mother plant. If they are in a pot, it may be easier to remove the entire plant from the pot and then separate them. Try to keep as many roots on the baby as you can. This new plant can now be potted up and given away as a gift or used to increase your own supply of aloe vera.
HARVESTING THE ALOE VERA GEL
When you first cut your leaf, you may notice a yellow liquid coming out. This is the leaf latex and is bitter and has an off-putting odour. DON’T use this. Leave it for a few minutes until the latex has all drained out, and then give the leaf a good wash.
In order to remove the gel first remove the spikes that run down the edges of the leaf, with a sharp knife. You can then slide the knife inside the leaf, and run it as closely along the flat side of the leaf as possible. Now scoop out the gel with a spoon.
The gel will start deteriorating and losing its health benefits within 20 minutes of being exposed to the air, so time is of the essence. However, you can freeze it to keep it for later use.
USING ALOE VERA GEL
There have been instances of people being allergic to aloe vera, so before using it ALWAYS do a small test first and wait 24 hours to make sure you are not having any unusual symptoms or ill effects.
Aloe Vera gel is known for a number of positive medical benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. It can be used straight or blended and then diluted in water.
Due to its soothing, moisturizing, and cooling properties, aloe vera is often used to treat burns and minor cuts and abrasions. However, if you have a severe burns, or other issues, such as kidney problems or are pregnant, seek medical help before applying aloe.
Aloe vera can also be beneficial in the garden. Using the blended and diluted gel as a foliar spray can give extra nutrients to your plants. Roughly two large leaves per 9L watering can is suitable. Here I have one large leaf, blitzed with about a cup of water. I’ll dilute this even further before using it.,
Similarly, a lot of gardeners use Aloe Vera as a rooting hormone. One method is to soak your new cuttings in an aloe solution for a few hours before planting it. Another way is to soak the growing medium in the aloe solution first, and then add the cuttings.
Here I’ve got some golden pothos cuttings. The water has about 2 tablespoons of a diluted aloe mixture added – you can see a few solids floating at the top. There is one very long root there already!
Well I hope this article has given you some inspiration to give aloe vera a go. Remember, take care when using it for its health benefits, but even just as an addition to your indoor or outdoor garden, it is well worth considering.
If you have any questions, feel free to pop them in below, and I’d love for you to share this article with anyone who you think will enjoy it.
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