In the cultural history of various peoples, aloe vera was considered a medicinal plant. Its leaves were used as a remedy for indigestion, for wound healing and skin care. After a phase of oblivion, aloe vera is enjoying great popularity again.
In our part of the world, aloe vera is kept as a houseplant
Native to the arid regions of Africa, aloe is an extremely frugal plant. The cosmetics industry processes large volumes of aloe juice and aloe gel. For this purpose, real aloe is grown all over the world.
In Germany, aloe vera can be cultivated as a houseplant because it does not tolerate frost. It is particularly suitable for full sun locations. Aloe vera can spend the hot summer months outside. As soon as it gets colder, she has to be brought inside. It likes to hibernate cooler at 10-15° C, but can also stand in a heated room all year round.
Important information about the location and soil
Above all, aloe vera needs a lot of light for healthy growth. If the plant is to keep its green color permanently, it must not stand in the blazing sun, where its fleshy leaves turn reddish to brownish.
The following mixture ensures good water permeability of the soil:
- houseplant soil,
- Sand,
- maybe some peat
- a drainage layer.
Water and fertilize sparingly
Aloe vera should only be watered when the substrate is completely dry. Plants outdoors in summer can tolerate a little more water. During the winter break, watering is very rare and fertilization is stopped entirely. If you regularly repot your aloe vera, you can save yourself the fertilizer.
Grow aloe vera
Aloe vera can be propagated by means of natural offshoots or from cuttings. These are carefully cut off at the base with a sharp knife and left to dry for a few days. The offshoots are placed in the moist growing soil and the containers are set up in a moderately bright and protected from the sun.
tips
You can encourage aloe vera to bloom by overwintering it at around 12° Celsius from November to February.