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The Aloe Vera plant likes heat and does not bear excess humidity. In a pot, it can stay outdoors
in the summer, but to keep its nice green color, it needs to be away from direct sun, especially
in the afternoon, or at least to be put very gradually in direct sun.
Aloe vera does not withstand freezing temperatures and needs to be put inside for the winter if there is a risk of frost. It can also stay inside year round.
It does not like rapid changes of temperature.
In the winter keep the plant in a cool (over 5°C-40°F) and light place and give it little water, about once a month, depending on the size of the plant and the room temperature. Root rot can happen fast!
You can keep the plant indoors year round.
If you choose to put it outdoors, don't put it in direct sun, but in shade or semi-shade.
It can endure the eastern sun before noon. But it will burn in the afternoon sun.
In semi-shade, it will keep its nice green color!
When unrooting an aloe vera, it is a good thing to slightly trim the roots, especially the dead ones.
You then leave the plant sitting, roots out in the open, for a week or so before repotting it.
This will give the roots time to heal, to avoit root-rot.
You will carefully detach the offshoots that might have grown out on the trunk, leaving them out too for a few days, before repotting.
When you repot, choose preferably a clay pot rather large than deep, (avoid root-rot)
with a diameter equal to half the length of the longest leaf,
Put a few clay balls or bits of broken pieces of clay pots in the bottom, and sprinkle a bit of roughly broken-up charcoal.
This will help the roots stay healthy. But they can live without it!
Mix a substrate made of about 1/3 each of garden soil (if clayey), sand and potting compost.
Fill with soil up to the start of the leaves. Water the next day.
To fertilize, use organic products, such as nettle slurry and/or comfrey.
But if you use commercial fertilizer, use only half of the recommended dosage.
Always wet the soil before pouring fertilizer, for fear of burning the plant.
Aloe vera does not suffer much from predators attacks. But problems with aphids and grey cochineal can occur.
In this case, prepare a spray bottle with 1/10th liquid carbonic soap, 1/10th organic olive oil and 8/10th water.
Vaporize the leaves, check everywhere, especially under the leaves and into the heart.
They are live beings! So above all, cherish them, talk to them, notice them and use them!
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The Aloe Vera plant likes heat and does not bear excess humidity. In a pot, it can stay outdoors In the winter keep the plant in a cool (over 5°C-40°F) and light place and give it little water, about once a month, depending on the size of the plant and the room temperature. Root rot can happen fast! You can keep the plant indoors year round. |
When unrooting an aloe vera, it is a good thing to slightly trim the roots, especially the dead ones.
You then leave the plant sitting, roots out in the open, for a week or so before repotting it.
This will give the roots time to heal, to avoit root-rot.
You will carefully detach the offshoots that might have grown out on the trunk, leaving them out too for a few days, before repotting.
When you repot, choose preferably a clay pot rather large than deep, (avoid root-rot)
with a diameter equal to half the length of the longest leaf,
Put a few clay balls or bits of broken pieces of clay pots in the bottom, and sprinkle a bit of roughly broken-up charcoal.
This will help the roots stay healthy. But they can live without it!
Mix a substrate made of about 1/3 each of garden soil (if clayey), sand and potting compost.
Fill with soil up to the start of the leaves. Water the next day.
To fertilize, use organic products, such as nettle slurry and/or comfrey.
But if you use commercial fertilizer, use only half of the recommended dosage.
Always wet the soil before pouring fertilizer, for fear of burning the plant.
Aloe vera does not suffer much from predators attacks. But problems with aphids and grey cochineal can occur.
In this case, prepare a spray bottle with 1/10th liquid carbonic soap, 1/10th organic olive oil and 8/10th water.
Vaporize the leaves, check everywhere, especially under the leaves and into the heart.
They are live beings! So above all, cherish them, talk to them, notice them and use them!