How to Grow and Use Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a popular spiky, succulent plant that many of us know as the remedy for burns. It is really attractive, and since succulents have become so trendy as of late, aloe vera is now a sought-after house plant.

The plant itself is pretty easy to keep alive, either outside during hot summers or inside for cold winters, and it can add a great vibrancy of color or fun texture to your indoor or outdoor pot plant garden. Plus, it is easy to propagate, especially if you have a friend who already has a plant.

Aloe vera has several interesting uses for the body. Let’s take a look at how to grow yourself a healthy aloe vera plant and how to harvest and use it.

How to Propagate Aloe Vera

Unsurprisingly, popping down to your local nursery and buying a potted aloe vera plant would be the easiest way to get yourself on the way to being an aloe vera plant parent. However, if you have a friend who already has an aloe plant, you could check in with them and see if their mother plant has sprouted any babies or pups yet!

Source: JoyUsGarden/YouTube

Aloe vera plants produce offspring that can be removed from the base of the mother plant and repotted elsewhere. To do this, remove the soil from around the pup you want to take. You should see that the pup is attached to the mother plant but has a separate root system. Use a clean knife to cut the pup away from its mother.

Source: Source: JoyUsGarden/YouTube

Take your new pup and plant it right away in a mixture of one part potting soil to one part sand. Plant your pups just as you would any other bare root plant or seedling. You can add a few to the same pot depending on the size of your pups and your pots! Keep them in a sunny spot but out of blazing heat.

As for watering, don’t do this for 2-3 days. This is to allow the plant to settle. After that period, water your plant and care for it as you would any established aloe vera.

There are lots of videos suggesting that you can grow aloe vera plants from portions of leaf pushed into the soil. The chances of you getting a plant to propagate this way are very slim. The leaves tend to rot before they get a chance to set roots. But, by all means, have a go!

How to Care for An Aloe Vera Plant

Now you have your aloe vera plant, it’s time to keep it happy and healthy. Aloe plants need bright sun but a little shandy respite in the hot afternoons. Though it is a desert plant, it does require water. Depending on your climate, once a week should be enough, but make sure that the soil dries out completely before watering. Aloe needs water to keep its leaves moist and plump.

Prune older, brown, or dying leaves from the outside base of the plant. This will encourage new growth. If you notice the tips of the leaves shriveling or browning, you can simply snip that part off or remove the entire leaf. Don’t pull leaves from the center of the plant as these are the new growth.

Aloe vera is not a fussy plant and does not require any special fertilizer.

Uses From Aloe Vera

• Aloe juice– It is known to be packed with antioxidants, can aid with digestion, and may provide some oral health benefits, too. However, making juices or other consumable aloe vera products should be done with extreme caution. The aloe leaf is made up of three parts—the skin, the pulp, and a latex layer in between. While the pulp is safe to eat, it is latex that is the issue. It is toxic to humans and can cause severe stomach issues and even death if consumed in a large quantity. Leave it to the professionals, perhaps!
• Burn relief– Aloe vera has long been used as a remedy for minor burns and sunburn. You can simply break off a leaf from your plant and apply the gel liberally over your afflicted areas. The cool soothing gel should reduce some of the pain immediately.
• Itch relief– Due to its cooling properties, aloe vera is a wonder for itchy skin and poison ivy rashes. It gives you just the relief you need.
• Healing face mask– Keep your skin soft and moisturized with a simple aloe vera mask. You can simply apply the gel to your skin and leave it on for 15-30 minutes before washing it off. For extra effect, you can whizz some of the gel up with coconut oil or any other topical oil you like to use.

This is for informational purposes only. Do your research and contact a medical professional before using aloe vera medicinally. Do a spot test on your skin to check for allergies before covering a large area.

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