How to Grow Aloe Vera From A Cutting

 

According to research Aloe Vera is one of the most popular succulent plants in the world and it has a lot of health benefits. Aloe Vera plant is loved for its thick green leaves, low maintenance needs, and soothing gel that are often used for skincare and minor burns. A lot of people wonder if Aloe Vera plant can be grown from a cutting like other plants. The fact is that Aloe Vera plant does not root easily from leaf cuttings, although with the right method and patience, you can still try propagating the plant successfully.

On this article, you will learn everything you need to know about growing Aloe Vera plant from a cutting, including preparation, planting, care, and common mistakes to avoid when growing the plant from cutting.

Understanding the Aloe Vera Plant Propagation

Before starting to grow the plant, it is significant to understand how Aloe Vera naturally reproduces. The Aloe Vera plant generally grows through offsets, which is also called “pups.” These are small baby Aloe Vera plants that grow around the base of the mother Aloe Vera plant. Propagating from pups is actually one of the easiest and most successful methods.

On the other hand, if you only have a leaf cutting, you can still attempt propagation. Just keep in mind that the leaf cuttings have a lower success rate because Aloe leaves really contain a lot of moisture and they may easily rot before roots develop.

What You Need To Get Started

To actually grow Aloe Vera plant from a cutting you need to gather the following materials:

·  A good and healthy Aloe Vera plant

·  A good knife that is sharp or garden scissors

·  A small pot with good drainage holes

·  A well-draining succulent or a good cactus soil

·  A clean gloves (this is optional)

·  A water spray bottle

·  A bright location with indirect sunlight

Using clean tools is very vital because dirty blades can easily spread disease to the Aloe Vera plant.

Also read: How to Grow Sunflowers in a Pot

Choosing the Right Aloe Vera Leaf For Planting

Make sure you select a mature and healthy Aloe Vera leaf from the outer part of the Aloe Vera plant. Try and avoid leaves that are:

·  Yellow in color

·  Soft or mushy

·  Damaged

·  Diseased

Healthy Aloe Vera plant leaves are thick, firm, and green. A mature Aloe Vera leaf gives you the best chance of successful propagation.

You can carefully use a sharp knife to cut the Aloe Vera leaf as close to the base of the Aloe Vera plant as possible. Make sure you make a clean cut instead of tearing the leaf.

Allow the Aloe Vera Plant Cutting to Dry

This step is extremely very vital.

After cutting the Aloe Vera plant leaf, do not plant the Aloe Vera leaf immediately. Aloe Vera leaves really contain a gel-like substance that can easily cause rotting if planted right away.

Place the Aloe Vera plant cutting in a warm and dry area for several days. Then leave it out until the cut end forms a dry, hard layer called a callus.

This usually takes about:

·  two to seven days depending on humidity and temperature

The callus protects the Aloe Vera plant leaf from bacterial and fungal infections.

Preparing the Pot and Soil For Planting

Aloe Vera plant actually needs soil that drains very well. Most regular garden soil holds too much water and they can cause root rot.

You can use:

·  A cactus mix

·  A succulent potting soil

·  Or a homemade mix with sand and perlite

Fill a small container with the soil mixture. Try and make sure the container has drainage holes at the bottom because Aloe Vera plant does not like standing water.

Planting the Aloe Vera Plant Cutting

Once the cut end has dried and formed a callus, you can plant the Aloe Vera cutting.

The steps:

1.    Just make a small hole in the soil.

2.    Then insert the cut end of the Aloe Vera leaf about one to two inches deep.

3.    Then gently press the soil around the Aloe Vera leaf to keep the plant upright.

Make sure you don’t water immediately after planting. You need to wait a few days before adding water.

Watering the Aloe Vera Cutting

Aloe Vera is really a drought-tolerant succulent plant. Too much water on the plant is one of the major reasons propagation fails.

After planting the Aloe Vera Cutting:

·  You need to wait about three to five days before watering lightly.

·  Make sure you keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy.

·  Make sure you allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions.

Overwatering the Aloe Vera cutting can quickly cause the Aloe Vera cutting to rot.

Actually a spray bottle works well because it prevents flooding the soil.

Providing the Right Light For the Plant

You need to place the container in a bright area with indirect sunlight.

Make sure you avoid direct hot sunlight during the early stages because it can easily dry out or damage the Aloe Vera cutting before roots form.

Good locations for the plant are:

·  Close to a sunny window

·  Under filtered light

·  A bright balconies with shade

Once the Aloe Vera plant roots develop, the Aloe Vera plant can handle more sunlight.

Be Patient During the Plant Root Development

Growing Aloe Vera plant from a cutting really takes time. Unlike fast-rooting plants, Aloe Vera plant may actually take several weeks or even months to develop roots.

Signs that the Aloe Vera roots may be forming are:

·  The Aloe Vera leaf remains firm

·  Slight new growth appears

·  The Aloe Vera cutting stays upright in the soil

Sorry to say, some Aloe Vera cuttings may fail and become mushy or rotten. This is actually common with Aloe Vera leaf propagation. 

Also read: How to Grow Monstera From Seed

 

Signs of a Healthy Aloe Vera Plant Cutting

Your Aloe Vera plant cutting is likely healthy if you notice:

·  A good firm green leaves

·  No black or soft spots on the plant

·  Slow but steady growth

·  Dry soil between watering

Once the Aloe Vera plant roots become established, you can care for the plant like a mature Aloe Vera plant.

Aloe Vera Plant Common Problems and Solutions

1. Rotting Leaf

The cause: Overwatering the Aloe Vera plant or planting before callusing.

Best solution:
you need to remove the cutting, cut away the rotten parts, let it dry again, and then replant in dry soil.

2. Wrinkled Leaf

The cause: this is cause by lack of moisture or no roots yet.

Best solution:
Make sure you water lightly and also keep the cutting in bright indirect light.

3. No Root Growth

The cause: Aloe Vera leaf cuttings naturally have low success rates.

Best solution:
You can easily  try again with a healthier leaf or use aloe pups instead.

Best Temperature for Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera plant actually grows best in warm temperatures.

The ideal range:

18 C to 30 C

Make sure you protect the Aloe Vera plant from frost and a very cold weather because Aloe Vera plant is sensitive to freezing temperatures.

How To Care for Mature Aloe Vera Plants

Once your Aloe Vera Plant cutting grows into a healthy plant, just follow these care tips:

Water Requirement

Water the Aloe Vera plant deeply but infrequently. Make sure you allow the soil to dry completely between watering.

Sunlight Requirement

Make sure you provide six to eight hours of bright light daily.

Fertilizer Requirement

Make sure you feed the Aloe Vera plant lightly during spring and summer using succulent fertilizer.

Repotting

You can easily repot when the Aloe Vera plant becomes root-bound or produces pups.