Aloe vera is a plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.
Aloe vera likes dry soil, so I recommend using cactus potting soil mix. The best alternative would be to use a regular potting soil with perlite added. When planting your aloe vera, make sure to position the plant so it is upright, and cover the base and roots with the soil.
Having an aloe vera plant around (and using it, should the need arise), can make even the most modern and high-tech of us feel like herbalist apothecaries. Snipping off a piece of an aloe vera's leaf and applying the clear, cool gel on burns, cuts, rashes, and sunburns offers instant relief and can speed the healing process. Here's how to care for an aloe vera of your own.
Where to Plant
Unless the climate where you live is extremely mild (never gets below 50ºF/10ºC), it is best to keep your aloe vera indoors. They are hardy in zones 9 to 11, but are most commonly enjoyed as house plants. Because they are composed of so much water, aloe veras are extremely susceptible to frost. Think of the indigenous climate of your plant and you'll know its ideal conditions. In the case of aloe veras, they love to be in the sun (though they will tolerate some hours of shade) and do well in dry climates.
How to Plant
Aloe vera plants are readily available anywhere you can buy plants. Soil should be well-drained (a cactus mix works well) and the pot should have enough room for the plant, specifically its root ball, to grow. When re-potting, choose a container that's wider than the previous, not deeper, and with extra room equivalent to 3 to 5 times the size of the current root ball. If you are able to plant outdoors, this should be done in spring.
How to Care For
Aloe veras are tolerant of dry conditions, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't water them! In the summer months, soak them thoroughly (make sure soil has good drainage), but allow them to dry very well between waterings (dry to a depth of 1 to 2 inches). Fertilization is best achieved with worm casings and compost teas, according to Love To Know: Home & Garden. During winter months, when the plant is dormant, water less frequently, if at all.
How to Propagate
Mature aloe vera plants propagate through offshoots, or "pups," which can be removed and replanted. Cut the offshoots with a knife once the leaves unfurl and let the cut dry over (usually a couple days) before planting it.
