How to Grow Aloe Vera with Leaves

Aloe vera plants are easy to care for, but growing is a bit more complicated. Unlike other succulents and cacti, aloe is difficult to grow with leaves. The chances of the leaves rooting and developing into a healthy aloe plant are very low. Therefore most gardeners use seedlings to grow aloe vera because it is easier to succeed.

Table of Contents

Growing from leaves

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Understand that leaves may not take root and grow. Although aloe vera can be grown from leaves, the chances of it taking root are very low. ^{[1] X Research Source} Aloe vera leaves contain a lot of water and often rot before they can take root. It is more effective to grow aloe from the “seedling”. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Find an aloe leaf that is at least 8 cm long. ^{[3] X Research Source} If it’s not your tree, you’ll need to get permission from the gardener first.

Use a sharp, clean knife to cut off the leaves from the base of the plant. Try to cut diagonally down and toward the trunk. Knives need to be very clean, otherwise the leaves are at risk of infection.

Leave the leaves in a warm spot for enough time to form a thin film around the cut. This process can take several days to two weeks. ^{[4] X Research Sources} The outer layer of the film will prevent the cut from becoming contaminated with soil-borne bacteria. ^{[5] X Research Source} Aloe vera leaves do not live long if infected with bacteria.

Look for a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. Like most plants, aloe vera loves water but does not like standing water. If your pot does not have drainage holes, the soil will become waterlogged. This condition can lead to root rot and death of plants – even hardy aloe vera plants.

Pour cactus soil into the pot and water a little to keep the soil moist. If you don’t have cactus soil, you can make your own by mixing one part sand and one part potting soil. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Consider placing gravel in the perineum first. This will help with better drainage.
The pH in the soil should be maintained between 6.0 and 8.0. If the pH is too low, you can add lime for garden soil. This lime is available at garden stores.

Insert the cut side of the leaf into the ground. Make sure a third of the leaves are in the soil.

Consider dipping the cut root in a rooting stimulator first. If not available, you can use cinnamon powder and honey as well. Both of these can kill bacteria. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Place the plant in a warm, sunny spot and water it carefully. For the first 4 weeks, you’ll have to keep the soil moist. Once the leaf has taken root, you need to wait until the soil is completely dry before continuing to water. To know more about aloe vera plant care, click here.

Don’t worry if the leaf shrinks or dries out when it starts to take root.

Planting from seedlings

Find the seedling. A subtree is a part of the main tree. Seedlings are usually smaller and lighter in color. They also have their own set of roots. You can find the seedlings at the base of the tree. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing to cut seedlings:

Seedlings should be about 1/5 the size of the main tree.
Choose seedlings that have at least four leaves and are nearly ten centimeters tall.

Lift the entire plant out of the pot if possible. This will make it easier to find where the subtree connects to the parent tree. You can dust off the soil around the roots to get a better look at the seedlings. The seedling can attach itself to the parent plant but has its own set of roots.

Separate or cut the seedling from the parent plant, trying to keep the roots. Seedlings can be separated easily. Otherwise, you will have to use a clean, sharp knife to cut. Let the cut scab over for a few days before moving. This helps prevent infection. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Seedlings need some roots to cling to. ^{[9] X Research Source}
When you separate the seedling from the parent plant, you can plant the mother plant back in the pot.

Look for a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. This is very important. Like most plants, aloe vera loves water, but does not tolerate waterlogging. If the pot doesn’t have drainage holes, the soil can become waterlogged, leading to root rot and death of the plant.

Pour the cactus soil into the pot. If you don’t have a cactus soil, you can mix one part sand with one part potting soil.

Consider spreading gravel in the bottom of the pot. This way the soil will drain better.
The pH should be kept between 6.0 and 8.0. If the pH is too low, you can add lime for garden soil, which is available at gardening stores.

Dig a small hole in the soil and insert the seedling. This hole should be deep enough to fit the roots and ¼ the height of the plant (from where the roots start and up). Many gardeners recommend dipping roots in growth hormone first to help them grow faster. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Pat the soil firmly around the base of the plant and water it. Water so that the soil is just moist but not soggy. Aloe is a desert plant, so it doesn’t need a lot of water.

Place the plant in a sunny spot and wait a week before watering again. You can then continue watering your aloe vera plant as usual. ^{[11] X Research Resources} To learn how to care for an aloe plant, click here.

Take care of plant

Make sure the aloe plant gets enough sun. It’s best to get 8-10 hours of sunshine a day. You can do this by placing the plant in a south- or west-facing window. If necessary, move the plant from window to window during the day. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If you live in a cold climate, you should move the plant away from the window at night. Such areas are often very cold, which can kill plants. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. It is recommended to water thoroughly, making sure the water drains from the bottom of the pot. ^{[14] X Research Source} Do not overwater.

Aloe plants usually hibernate during the winter months. The plant does not need much water at this time. ^{[15] X Research Source}
The summer months the plant needs more water, especially when it’s hot and dry.

Fertilize once a year in the spring. Fertilizers should be water-based and high in phosphorus. You should only mix fertilizer with half the dosage. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Watch out for insects, fungi, and plant diseases. Use a natural organic insecticide to fight pests, such as mealybugs and scale bugs. You can easily prevent fungus just by keeping the soil dry. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Observe the leaves. Leaves are an accurate indicator of plant health and needs.

Aloe vera leaves should be stout and straight. If the leaves are thinning and curling, you need to water more.
Aloe leaves should grow straight up. If the leaves are drooping, the plant needs more sunlight.

Know how to handle when the tree grows too slowly. Sometimes, the aloe plant does not grow well. Fortunately, it’s much easier to figure out the problem than it is to fix common problems. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Soil is too wet. You need to reduce watering.
Plants need more sun. Move the plant to a place that gets the most sunlight.
Too much fertilizer in the soil. Transfer the plant to another pot and add more soil.
Soil alkalinity is too high. Add sulfur.
Not enough space for plant roots to grow. Transfer the plant to a larger pot.

Advice

Do not use the leaves until the plant is well established. If you grow aloe vera for health care, you may need to wait two months before you can use it.
Aloe plants usually grow towards the sun. This phenomenon can lead to the tree growing sideways. You should consider rotating the pot every few days to keep it upright. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Aloe vera grown indoors does not grow very large unless it is in direct sunlight and is watered regularly. With good care, the average indoor aloe vera can grow more than 60 cm tall.
Grow aloe vera outdoors only if you live in climate zones 9 or 10. If you don’t live in this climate zone, you should keep it indoors. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Warning

Make sure the seedling knife is clean and sterile.
Do not overwater the aloe vera plant. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.
Cut away wilted leaves with a clean knife. This will help prevent plant rot and mildew.
Be careful when cutting leaves or seedlings from the parent plant. Some plants have very sharp spines. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Things you need

Plant pots with drainage holes
Land for growing cactus
Sharp and clean knife
Aloe
Rooting hormone (optional)
Water

Steps