The best way to propagate aloe vera plants is to use their natural offshoots, which can form on the stem of the mother plant after a certain age. With a little skill, offshoots can also be obtained from a leaf.

Aloe Vera is very easy to propagate using cuttings

Generative or vegetative propagation possible

Aloe Vera can be propagated generatively (through seeds) or vegetatively (through cuttings). The seeds are commercially available all year round. However, sowing is recommended in spring because of the better light conditions. Seed propagation requires more patience and is ideal for an adventurous succulent grower who wants to see the seedling develop into a "mature" plant.

It is no less exciting to observe how a new plant develops from a piece of aloe vera leaf. This happens when a part of a leaf planted in the ground forms roots underground and new leaves above ground. This type of propagation is easy to manage even for a less experienced hobby gardener.

Propagation by offshoots

If you own an aloe vera, you may have noticed that it produces new shoots on the stem. This can form a mother plant from the age of about three years. All you have to do is carefully separate the seedling and repot it into its own container for it to continue to thrive. Before planting, allow the cut surface of the scion to air dry to prevent mold growth.

But you can also easily get cuttings from the leaves of the mother plant, from which you can grow new plants. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • cut off one of the outer leaves
  • cut the leaf into several pieces,
  • allow the cut surfaces to air dry for a few days,
  • put the cuttings in a mixture of potting soil and fine sand (quartz sand if necessary),
  • keep the soil evenly moist
  • set up the breeding container bright and warm, but protected from the sun.

Care of the young plants

To avoid fungal growth, the young plants should not be watered from above. Until the cuttings have fully formed their root system, they cannot tolerate too much light. The small plants can initially store little water, so sparing watering is advisable. The risk of dehydration is lower for succulents than the risk of rotting due to waterlogging.

tips and tricks

Cutting off the outer leaves and side shoots also serves to keep the plant in shape.

Category:

Indoor plants