How to Grow Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera Care Guide

Presented by Urban Farmer: Expert Gardening Solutions for Your Home Garden

Why Choose Aloe Vera for Your Home?

  • Easy to Grow: Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, perfect for beginners.
  • Air Purification: Absorbs toxins and improves indoor air quality.
  • Medicinal Uses: Soothes burns, cuts, and skin irritations with its healing gel.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Adds greenery and complements any décor.
  • Eco-friendly: Requires minimal water and is easy to propagate.
  • Versatile: Use for skincare, haircare, or even smoothies for health benefits.
Aloe Vera Plant

How to Grow Aloe Vera

Step-by-Step Process (Recommended for Home Gardeners):

  • Soil & Location:
    Aloe Vera thrives in well-draining, sandy or loamy soil. Choose a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight if growing indoors, or a sunny spot outdoors. You can easily create the perfect soil mix at home by combining regular garden soil with sand or perlite for better drainage. A quick home hack is to mix some crushed eggshells or dried banana peels into the soil for added calcium and potassium, which can help improve the plant's strength.
  • Potting:
    If growing in pots, ensure they have drainage holes to avoid waterlogging, which can rot the roots. Choose a terracotta or clay pot as these materials allow excess moisture to evaporate. You can also add small stones or broken pieces of clay pots at the bottom of the pot to further improve drainage.
  • Planting:
    Place the Aloe Vera plant or pup in the center of the pot, and fill the pot with your prepared soil mix. Firm the soil gently around the base of the plant, ensuring the lower leaves sit just above the soil. Water the plant lightly after planting.
  • Watering:
    Aloe Vera prefers dry conditions, so it’s important not to overwater it. Water the plant only when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry to the touch. During winter, reduce the watering frequency, as Aloe Vera goes into a dormant stage and requires less moisture. A useful tip is to water it once every 2-3 weeks, depending on the climate.
  • Temperature & Light:
    Aloe Vera grows best in temperatures between 15°C to 30°C and needs plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. If you are growing Aloe indoors, place it near a sunny window, or move it outdoors during summer to give it 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If your climate gets too cold, bring the plant indoors during winter.
  • Fertilizing:
    Aloe Vera is a low-maintenance plant and doesn’t require frequent fertilizing. However, feeding it with a diluted balanced fertilizer or a specific succulent feed once every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) can promote better growth. A DIY tip is to use a diluted solution of banana peel water as a mild fertilizer for added potassium.
  • Propagation:
    You can propagate Aloe Vera by removing the small pups that grow at the base of the mature plant. Simply cut them off carefully with a sharp, clean knife and let them sit in the air for a day to form a callous. Then, plant them in fresh, well-draining soil.

Common Problems, Pests, & Diseases

Urban Farmer’s Solutions for a Healthy Plant:

  1. Root Rot:
    This is one of the most common problems for Aloe Vera, usually caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing, mushy leaves, and decayed roots. Prevent root rot by using well-draining soil and allowing the soil to dry out between watering. To cure, mix 5 gm/half spoon of organic fungicide Tricho Shield per liter of water and drench 50 ml of the solution near the plant's stem.
    Root Rot on Aloe Vera
  2. Aphids & Mealybugs:
    Aloe Vera can attract pests like aphids and mealybugs, which suck the plant's sap, causing wilting and yellow spots on the leaves. These pests can be controlled by spraying neem oil 2ml/20 drops or mix 1 protec tab per liter of water on the affected parts.
    Mealybugs on Aloe Vera
  3. Sunburn:
    Aloe Vera leaves can get sunburned if exposed to too much direct sunlight, resulting in brown or yellow patches on the leaves. Move the plant to a shaded area if this occurs and trim the damaged leaves.
    Sunburn on Aloe Vera

Best Practices for Growing Aloe Vera

Urban Farmer’s Expert Tips for Aloe Vera Plant:

  1. Pruning for Health:
    Regularly prune the outer, mature leaves of your Aloe Vera plant to encourage new growth. Be careful to cut close to the base without damaging the plant. You can use the gel from the trimmed leaves for medicinal purposes.
  2. Rotating the Plant:
    Aloe Vera loves the sun, but it's important to rotate the pot every few days to ensure the plant gets sunlight on all sides. This will prevent the plant from leaning and growing unevenly.
  3. Pest Prevention:
    To avoid pests like aphids and mealybugs, wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth. Keep the plant clean and dry, especially in humid environments where pests are more likely to thrive.
  4. Proper Potting:
    Re-pot your Aloe Vera every couple of years to refresh the soil and give it more room to grow. When re-potting, make sure to use a pot that is 1-2 inches wider than the current one.

Recommended Products for Aloe Vera Care

Urban Farmer’s Trusted Products for Aloe Vera Plant Care:

  1. Fertilizer:
    • Balanced Fertilizer: Add one grow TAB in a liter of water and spray on foliage every 30-45 days. It helps in boosting overall growth.
    • Slow-Release Fertilizer: Insert one green fertilizer stick fully into the soil, 2-3 inches away from the plant stem. Repeat it after 60 days. A single application of one stick provides your plants with a steady supply of nutrients for up to 2 months.
    • Banana Peel Liquid Fertilizer (DIY):
      Soak banana peels in water for a day and use this nutrient-rich solution to water Aloe Vera once a month. This adds potassium and supports the plant’s root development.
  2. Pesticides:
    • Neem Oil: Ideal for controlling Aphid and mealybug pests on Plants, neem oil is safe and effective. Dilute neem oil 2 ml/20 drops per liter of water and spray on the leaves every 20 days as a preventive measure.
    • Tricho Shield: Mix 5 gm/half spoon of Tricho Shield (Trichoderma viride) in 1 liter of water and drench it to control fungal diseases like root rot. Tricho Shield is an organic fungicide that promotes plant health without harming the environment.
  3. Growth Promoter (Seaweed Extract):
    • Seaweed extract is excellent for promoting the overall vigor and root health of Aloe Vera. Dilute 2 ml of seaweed extract in 1 liter of water and spray on the plant or drench near roots once a month.
  4. Soil Conditioner (Perlite):
    • Adding perlite to the soil mix improves drainage, which is essential for Aloe Vera. Mix it into the soil when planting or re-potting to ensure better aeration and prevent root rot.

By following these detailed guidelines and incorporating the trusted products recommended by Urban Farmer, you can cultivate healthy and vibrant Aloe Vera plants in your home or terrace garden.