How To Propagate Aloe Vera: Guide For Beginners

Did you know that adding a little Aloe Vera to your tea at night enhances your sleep? Or a fresh face mask from Aloe Vera? Aloe Vera should be an indispensable plant in your home as it offers several benefits. To maintain and spread this fantastic plant, this easy guide on how to propagate Aloe Vera can help.

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant in the Aloe genus. This plant can quickly adapt to different climates, from dry and hot outside to cooler indoors. 

This plant has thin leaves that have soft, spiky edges. Inside these leaves is a gel-like substance famous for beauty, health treatments, and cooking.  It is one of the best indoor plants for health.

How To Propagate Aloe Vera With 4 Easy Methods

Aloe Vera is an easy plant to grow with four different methods: Propagate from Leaf Cuttings, Pups, Division, and Seeds. Let's check it out and see how to propagate Aloe Vera:

Propagate From Leaf Cuttings

Propagate Aloe Vera from cutting is a simple and standard method to expand new plants if you have mature plants at home. This method takes longer to grow roots than pups. However, it is the best solution to keep saving and spreading Aloe Vera. Let's see how to do this method:

1. Choose a mature leaf from the outer edge of the Aloe plant, as cutting a mature leaf can help create healthy new leaves.
2. Cut the Aloe plant just above the soil line using a clean and sharp knife.
3. Let the cut end of the leaf dry and form a rigid layer for 1-2 days.
4. Plant the dried Aloe Vera cutting in a well-draining potting mix, such as Natural Soil Premium.
5. Put the pot in a spot with indirect sunlight and water it until the new plant starts growing roots.

*Note: Wait till the leaf-cutting is dry and tough. It can avoid rot when planted in soil, so you should be patient and careful to ensure the cutting is alive and robust to create a new plant.

Propagate From Offsets And Pups

Pups propagating is the easiest way to grow more Aloe plants. You can grow more Aloe plants by separating the baby plants (pups) from the main ones. As Aloe plants grow, they make these pups around their roots. Follow these steps:

1. Choose the pups, at least 3–4 inches, and have several leaves.
2. Gently remove the main Aloe from its pot. If it's stuck, gently loosen the roots from the sides of the pot with a dull knife.
3. Carefully take the offset or pup from the bottom of the main plant, making sure it has some roots, and then put the main plant back in its pot.
4. Choose a pot with drainage, like 4-inch terra-cotta, and complete it with a well-draining potting mix. (To avoid rot, put the pot of pups in a sunny spot and hold off on watering for about a week.)
5. Make a hole in the center, and put the pup in so its base is level with the soil.
6. Press the soil around the pup gently and add pebbles to keep it stable.

*Note: Pups without roots need extra care. It's better to put them on a plate in a cool, dark spot for 1-2 days. Once they're callused, dip the stem end in the rooting hormone before planting.

Propagate From Division

Division Aloe Vera propagation is a great way to make more plants if your Aloe Vera has grown into a bunch. This method helps create new Aloe plants and gives the others room to grow better and stronger. Check this guide for division propagating below:

1. Take the Aloe plant from its pot and gently separate the rosettes, ensuring each one has roots.
2. Let the divisions dry for 1-2 days until they form calluses.
3. Plant each division in its pot with well-draining soil.
4. Put the pots in a spot with indirect sunlight and water the new plants just enough.

*Note: Aloe Vera divisions need light to grow better, so place them in a bright area, but not in direct sunlight and water sparingly. Using LED growing light during propagation is an alternative option to protect the plant.

Propagate From Seeds

Propagating Aloe Vera from seeds is a rare method. It takes longer than using cuttings or pups, as this plant only produces seeds when fully grown, usually after about four years when they flower and make seed pods. If you choose to grow Aloe from seeds, here's what to do:

1. Gather mature seeds from a healthy and old Aloe plant or buy them from a shop outside.
2. Fill pots or seed trays with moist, well-draining soil to plant Aloe seeds. Then, gently press the Aloe seeds into the top of the soil.
3. Put the pot in a warm, bright area and avoid direct sunlight. Remember to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

*Tip: 

• When collecting seeds: put a paper bag or tray under the pods to catch the seeds when they fall instead of directly collecting the seed pods to avoid picking the seeds too soon.
• Make sure they get at least 8 hours of light per day.
• Baby Aloe plants usually start to grow in about 2 - 4 weeks.
• Water them less, only every 10 to 14 days.

Tips For Aloe Vera Propagation

Whether you propagate Aloe Vera by division, cutting, seed, or pups, taking good care is the key to helping the new plant grow healthy. Here are tips for Aloe Vera Propagation:

• Use well-draining soil and let it dry out between waterings.
• Make a potting mix by adding coarse sand, grit, lava rock, perlite, etc to ensure the soil is suitable for plants.
• Putting it in a spot indoors is perfect, as Aloe Vera likes indirect sunlight.
• Wait at least two weeks before watering to let the roots settle after repotting. Then, water it every few weeks.

Aloe vera is an easy plant to propagate when you apply the right growing methods. From Leaf-cutting, Pups, Division, and Seed propagation, following the steps and taking good care can help you succeed in spreading more aloe vera.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Grow Aloe Vera From A Cutting?

Yes, you can. Whether leaf cutting or stem cutting, Aloe Vera can grow new plants. You should follow some steps to make sure it can stay healthy and grow strong:

• Choose the mature leaf or stem.
• Cutting with a clean, sharp knife.
• Plant the cutting in drain soil.
• Put it in the shade without sunlight.

2. What Is The Best Way To Propagate Aloe Vera?

Among the four methods for propagating Aloe Vera, Divisions are the best. This method can quickly create a new plant with a high rate of life and growth, while another method, like seeds, can take four years to wait or buy from outside.

However, the best method also depends on the Aloe Vera in your home, environment, and climate. 

3. Will Aloe Cuttings Root In Water?

No. Propagate cutting in water is a standard method for all plants. Still, Aloe vera is not recommended for propagation in water because its soft, gel-like leaf can quickly rot when placed in water before rooting. Therefore, you should use other methods to propagate it, such as divisions, cuttings, pups, and seeds.