Growing Aloe Vera In Containers / Indoors / Backyard

Growing Aloe Vera In Containers:

The following information is all about Growing Aloe Vera In Containers/Pots.

Introduction To ALOE VERA Plant

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant species, originates from the Arabian Peninsula and grow well around the world. These plants cultivated for its medicinal uses and species is also used for decorative purposes. The  ALOE VERA plants are successfully grown in indoors, and containers. The ALOE VERA plants are stemless or have very small stems up to 60 to 100 cm.  The ALOE VERA leaves are thick and fleshy, green to gray colored, some varieties have white flecks on upper and lower stems. The ALOE VERA plant produces yellow-orange flower shoots. Leaves usually are margined with white teeth. The great benefit of growing an ALOE VERA plant at home is, it helps in purifying the air in our surroundings. The Aloe Vera plant can be grown in containers, pots on terrace, balconies, indoors, and backyards.

• Scientific name: Aloe barbadensis, Indian Aloe.
• Common name: Aloe Vera.
• Family: Aloe Vera belongs to the family of Asphodelaceae.

ALOE VERA in India Languages

• English: Indian Aloe.
• Sanskrit: Kumari, Grih kumari.
• Hindi: Kumari, Grih kumari.
• Malayalam: Kattavazha, Kumari.
• Tamil: Sirukattali.
• Marathi: Khandbahale, Khorpad.
• Punjabi: Khandbahale.
• Telugu: Kalabanda.
• Gujarati: Kuvar.

Types of ALOE VERA Plants

There are many types of Aloe Vera plants are available, all the varieties grow well in containers:

‘Sunset’ Aloe: This short variety Aloe plant, with shiny, bronzy-red or orange leaves. ‘Sunset’ forms rosettes of foliage. Best colors occur in sun, this plant blooms 1-2-foot flower spikes in late winters.

‘Silver Ridge’ ALOE VERA: A beautiful Aloe grown with white edges, it grows up to 8-14 inches at maturity. It is a best decorative Aloe grown in containers. It grows well in full sun.

Aloe polyphylla: A rare variety of ALOE VERA with spiral form. A mature plant can have up to five rows of blue-green leaves growing in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. It grows well in shade and in full sun.

Guido ALOE VERA: A beautiful bi-color Aloe plant grows up to 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide. Leaves are outlined in white and green lines.

Carmine ALOE VERA: Gorgeous multicolored ‘carmine’ makes the best choice for decorating purposes. A brilliant fringe accents the foliage. It grows up to 10-inch-tall and six inches wide.  Plans grows well in both partial and full sunlight.

Marco ALOE VERA: This Aloe plant has dark orange, toothed margins with a hint of color to ultra-smooth leaves. Grow up to 5 to 6 inches tall and 5 inches wide. Grows well in both partial and full sunlight.

‘Sal Aloe’ Vera: A rare variety Aloe with raise white ridges and pink-toothed margins. This Aloe plant grows up to 6 inches tall. You can grow this plan in full and partial sunlight.

 ‘Fire’ Ranch Aloe: This Aloe plant has thick leaves of ‘fire ranch’ turn bronze in the sun. It produces a large spike with a bunch of flowers.

‘Grassy Lassie’ Aloe: This Aloe variety of Aloe is narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves turn a deep bronze in full sun. Long-stemmed, electric-orange flowers bloom round the year.

Steps for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers: ALOE VERA is a beautiful plant that grows well in containers. ALOE VERA can live for many ears if you provide a proper care for the plant. The ALOE VERA plant is grown from offsets (small plants), you can get from nurseries or gardening houses. ALOE VERA plants grow up to 2 feet and 2.5 feet wide.

Suitable Containers for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• Small wide opened container is the best choice for Aloe plants.
• ALOE VERA plant roots grow horizontally, so choose a wide container with less depth. If you choose deep containers, the roots won’t reach the bottom of the container, keeping soil wet and unused.
• Size of container: 2/3 of the container should be covered with Aloe roots and 1/3 of the container with soil. As the Aloe plants don’t like more water, more soil in container means longer the soil will stay wet. And Aloe plant doesn’t require wet soil or more watery. Aloe plants need very less water requirements.
• Buy a container that fits the Aloe plant roots comfortably.
• Container made of plastic is the best choice, if you live in hot and humid regions. Clay or terracotta is the best if you live in cold regions.
• The container should have good draining holes.
• Add 1-inch layer of gravel at the bottom of the container. Place a saucer under the container.

Suitable soil for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• The plant grows well all types of soil if it has good drainage capability.
• Choose the potting mix that suits for succulents. you can get a commercial potting mix from the nurseries and garden centers.
• If you are using soil, use the fertile soil with rich organic matter and mix it with equal parts perlite or sand to improve draining and organic compost.

Suitable Temperature for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• ALOE VERA grows well in normal indoor climate.
• In summer, all types of Aloe plants resistant up to 40 to 50°C.
• And in winter, Aloe plants don’t do well under 10 °C.
• Aloe plants can tolerate hot dry winds in indoors and outdoors.
• Ideal temperature for growing ALOE VERA in containers is 13 to 27°C.

Propagating of ALOE VERA for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• It is easy to propagate ALOE VERA plants by division and from stems.
• To propagate from offsets, you need separate offsets from stem from the mother plants.
• ALOE VERA offsets grow around the base of the plants. These are also called babies of the plant.
• Pull off the offsets and lay them in a warm, dim room to callus on the end for 48hours.
• Callus prevents root from rot, once the offset, end is dry, plant them in suitable containers.
• Don’t water plants until the roots stand firm and begin to grow.

Planting procedure for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• Fill the container with some potting mix and place the Aloe plant.
• Cover the root ball with soil, the soil should reach to the top of the root crown.
• Soil should not touch the leaves.
• Don’t water the container for a week, after planting to heal the roots.
• Keep the ALOE VERA plants in sunlight don’t freeze them.
• After 1 week of planting water the plants using water can.

Growing ALOE VERA In Containers from seeds

• ALOE VERA plant starts producing seeds after 4 years old.
• Once the plant flowers, it produces seeds. Collect the seeds from dried flowers.
• you can also get the seeds from the stores.
• Sow the seeds in a potting mix or soil mixed with horticultural sand, peat, perlite and compost.
• Keep the soil moist and place containers indoors or outdoors at a temperature of 23°C
• Aloe seeds germinate in 2 to 3 weeks.
• Once seeds reach 1-inch height you can repot or can grow in the same containers.

When and How to Water for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• ALOE VERA plants require very less water.
• Aloe plant doesn’t grow well in over wet soil.
• In summer and spring, water the plant thoroughly. Allow soil to dry completely for next watering.
• In winter, Aloe plants don’t need much water, just a sprinkling of water is needed when the soil gets dry.

Sunlight requirement for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• The sunlight is the main source for ALOE VERA plant to survive.
• They grow best in a good quantity of sunlight.
• If you don’t get proper they grow tall and leggy.
• If you are growing ALOE VERA indoors, arrange grow lights if don’t get sufficient sunlight.
• ALOE VERA containers can be placed in full sun to partial sunlight for best growth.
• Best place for indoor plant is near a south or west facing window for best sun exposure.

Best location for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• The ALOE VERA plant needs sufficient sunlight for good growth. So, place the containers in your balcony or indoors or terrace or garden places where you get plenty light and ventilation.
• Don’t place the containers in warm and dark places in the house, the plant will turn yellow and pale.

Winter protection/care for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• ALOE VERA containers should be placed in indoor during winner when night temperature falls gradually.
• Aloe plants hold lots of water naturally, so they don’t feel good in cool temperatures.
• Covering Aloe plants with plastic covers or blankets will also protect plants from cold weather.

Fertilizers requirement for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• ALOE VERA plants do no needs a lot of feed.
• Feed the plant with a half dose of liquid fertilizer with 10:40:10 NPK ratio during spring season.
• Feed the plant with formulated fertilizer that promotes the blooming of the plant for every six weeks.
• Aloe plant need very less feed, excessive feed may harm the plant.
• It is recommended to use organic plant fertilizers instead of chemical one. Buy an organic succulent fertilizer for good growing of plants.
• Fish emulsion and liquid kelp are also natural liquid fertilizers for Aloes.
• Don’t fertilize your ALOE VERA plants during the fall and winter months.

Pest and Disease control in Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• Healthy ALOE VERA plants are much affected with and diseases.
• Some common pests that can attack ALOE VERA plants are scales, mealy bugs, slugs and fungal gnats.
• Diseases that can affect ALOE VERA plants are root rot, soft rot, fungal stem rot and leaf rot.
• Common pests can be treated with organic pest control methods.
• Rubbing cotton swab dipped in alcohol on affected areas can cure common pests.
• Some organic pesticides are neem oil, insecticidal soap or horticultural oil spray.
• Before using any pesticides, test them on the small part of the leaf before applying to whole plant. ALOE VERA plants are sensitive to some sprays.

Common Problems of Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• Mushy stems: ALOE VERA plant stem turns mushy, due to over watering. Mushy stems indicate that the plant is rotting at the base. If the stems are firm and health you can save the plant. Cut the rotted stem and try to propagate it in separate containers.
• Brown Leaves: If you find the brown leaves, first check the stem. If the stem is firm, just trim the affected leaves and reduce watering.
• Tall and thin plant: If the plant grows tall and thin this indicates that the plant is not getting proper sunlight.

Harvesting for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• you can harvest by picking the Aloe leaves.
• Tips of leaves turn rosy, indicating they are ripe.
• Don’t harvest too many leaves, Aloe plant is a slow growing plant cutting too many leaves may harm the plant.
• Cut the large, smooth leave and cut it close to the stem.
• After cutting, clean the yellow sap called aloin. Wash leaf and cut off the edges and extract fresh Aloe juice.
• Before using ALOE VERA leaf for home remedies, wash it thoroughly.

Tips for Growing ALOE VERA In Containers

• Best tip for growing Aloe plant is more you neglect more they thrive.
• Chances for flowering in house grown ALOE VERA plants are very less but placing the containers in balconies or garden can increase chances of flowering.
• While planting ALOE VERA plants, don’t allow leaves to touch the soil. The leaves turn dark green and will rot.
• How to extract the ALOE VERA gel: Cut the lower leaf, older leaf and squeeze the cutting to release the juice. It can be stored in the freezer for many days.
• Buy the Container that fits roots exactly that’s protects plants from over watering.
• ALOE VERA plants have brown leaf tips if they get insufficient water.
• Black spots on leaves caused due to over watering.
• Vegetable composts and tea composts are also good choices of natural fertilizers for ALOE VERA plants.
• ALOE VERA plants grown in indoors are a bit sensitive to direct sunlight. Expose indoor plants slowly to the sun.
• ALOE VERA leaves grow upward, if the leaves drop or lie flat it indicates that the plant need more sunlight.
• Overwatering can be a main cause for fungal and pest attacks in ALOE VERA plants. So, keep soil and plant dry to control the diseases and pests.
• It is recommended to use an organic potting mix or commercial potting for growing ALOE VERA.

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