A sexually mature aloe vera forms small daughter plants on the stem, which can be used for propagation. The division is carried out by carefully cutting off or breaking off the shoots. After the cut surfaces have dried, the offshoots are planted.
The aloe vera is not divided but propagated via offshoots
Aloe vera is also suitable for inexperienced gardeners due to its natural offshoots for propagation by division. The robust and undemanding succulent begins to form daughter plants at the base of the trunk at the age of about three years, which grow up quite quickly. With a suitable location and good care, aloe vera forms several offshoots at the same time. To keep the plant in shape, these offshoots should be removed regularly.
Propagate aloe vera by division
Strictly speaking, the term "division" does not exactly apply to aloe propagation. This is because a plant is not divided into two or more equal parts, but a sapling growing on the mother plant, also called "Kindel" in Austria, is separated from the mother plant. Except for the missing roots, this is an independent aloe vera in miniature. To root them, please do the following:
- Carefully break off offshoots as close to the mother plant as possible or cut them off with a sharp knife,
- Let the cuttings air dry for several days to avoid mold growth.
- Put offshoots in a container with potting soil, cactus substrate or soil-sand mixture,
- set up the planter so that it is protected from the sun,
- water the substrate sparingly weekly,
- do not pour on the leaves, avoid waterlogging at all costs.
tips
To propagate aloe vera, you don't have to wait for your plant to produce offshoots. You can just as easily take cuttings from the leaf and grow new plants from them.