Light conditions: Place in bright, indirect sunlight or artificial light. A western or southern window is ideal.
Watering: Water aloe vera plants deeply, but infrequently. In other words, the soil should feel moist after watering but should be allowed to dry out to some extent before you water again. If the soil stays overly wet, the plant’s roots can rot. When watering, some excess water may run out the bottom of the pot. Let the pot sit in this water so that the soil absorbs as much as possible. Wait 15-45 minutes, then dump any remaining water.
Rate of growth: Average
Temperature: Aloe vera do best in temperatures between 55 and 80°F (13 and 27°C). The temperatures of most homes and apartments are ideal. From May to September, you can bring your plant outdoors without any problems, but do bring it back inside in the evening if nights are cold.
Humidity: Medium to high.
Pets: toxicity is mild to moderate for cats and dogs
Fertilizing: Fertilize sparingly, no more than once a month only in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant formula mixed at ½ strength.
REMOVING & REPLANTING ALOE VERA OFFSETS (PUPS)
Mature aloe vera plants often produce offsets—also known as plantlets, pups, or “babies”—that can be removed to produce an entirely new plant (a clone of the mother plant, technically).
- Find where the offsets are attached to the mother plant and separate them using pruning shears, scissors, or a sharp knife. Leave at least an inch of stem on the offset.
- Allow the offsets to sit for several days; this lets the offset form a callous over the cut, which helps to protect it from rot. Keep the offsets in a warm location with indirect light during this time.
- Once the offsets have formed callouses, pot them in a standard succulent potting mix. The soil should be well-draining.
- Put the newly-potted pups in a sunny location. Wait at least a week to water and keep the soil on the dry side.
Size: 4" and up
