Photo: Tanya New Zealand (Shutterstock)
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that is commonly used in gels, creams, ointments, and hand sanitizers, and although they are used for Thousands of years, today it is used to soothe the symptoms of sunburn or to treat cuts and scratches. You may think it’s difficult to grow or care for, but aloe vera is a common houseplant that is pretty easy to grow and harvest. Here’s how to take care of your own.
How to pot an aloe vera plant
The best thing about aloe plants is that they are succulents that require minimal maintenance. As long as you pay attention keep them alive requires little maintenance. First of all, make sure you buy cacti and or juicy bottomwhich costs about $ 6. Then mix in the cactus soil Pebbles, sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage. Like any succulent plant, aloe plants are prone to Root rot when it’s stuck in standing water. You can also consider turning your aloe vera into a. to plant terracotta Pot that dries quickly.
When repotting your aloe plant, be sure to remove the aloe from its previous pot and shake off any remaining dirt from its roots. Fill the pot three-quarters full with moist soil and then place the plant in the pot. Fill the rest of the pot with soil around the plant, leaving three-quarters of an inch free at the top. The Peasant almanac says not to water the plant after transplanting, as this can prevent the plant from forming new roots. Remember, when your aloe plant grows so big and tall that it can tip over, it’s time to transplant into a larger pot or cut back its leaves.
How to care for an aloe vera plant
Since aloe naturally lives in desert-like climates, it is a sun-loving plant. You can keep aloe vera plants indoors in bright, indirect sunlight and water them about every two weeks. Wait for the soil to dry completely before watering again. When you make water soak the earth and make sure it drains properly and doesn’t pool in the pot.
G / O Media can receive a commission
How to prune an aloe vera plant
You will often see the tips of an aloe plant turning brown and shrinking, but this is not a sign of impending doom. The juicy spring offers three options: cut off the shriveled part, cut a little below the brown part to prevent further browning, or cut the whole sheet (depending on where it is). When pruning, cut off older, outer leaves as new growth will come from the center. Try to cut as close to the base as possible to remove all of the sheet to get the shape you want.
How to harvest the aloe from an aloe vera plant
Harvesting an aloe plant is relatively easy. According to Health line, you should only cut three or four leaves from your plant at a time without inhibiting the plant’s growth. Cut at the base of the leaf where the majority of the aloe will sit. Then cut off the prickly parts and wash them thoroughly with water. Then cut the leaf into cubes and use a knife to separate the fleshy inside from the leaf and let the yellow juice drain off. You can then either use the cubes as needed or put the pieces in a blender and strain to extract the gel. Although aloe vera has many uses, it is of course important consult a doctor before using any type of topical substance.