In this guide you will find how to repot, water and fertilize the real aloe vera, as well as other care tips for the location and substrate.
Subtropical plants in our region are no longer a rarity. Nevertheless, many plant lovers hesitate to bring exotic plants "into the house" because they fear the immense maintenance effort. Despite all doubts: some of these plants are very easy to care for. This also includes real aloe (aleo vera). Originally native to the Arabian Peninsula, it also thrives as a houseplant in the temperate climate of Central Europe. Only in summer does this plant, from the succulent family, accept a warm and dry place in a bucket on the terrace or in the garden. But before you put the aloe outside, the outside temperature should be stable with only minor deviations.
Real Aloe - Profile
The real aloe, also known as the desert lily, is highly valued by plant lovers as a decorative, evergreen ornamental plant. It is also popular as a medicinal plant. It stores water in its fleshy, grey-green leaves, which is converted into gel. Medicines, cosmetics and dietary supplements are obtained from it. The aloe is a frugal, easy-care plant that can do without water for a long time.
| Aloe (Aloe vera) | |
|---|---|
| Lifetime: | perennial |
| Growth: | 45 - 55 cm |
| Leaves: | up to 50 cm long |
| Usage: | Ornamental plant, Medicinal plant |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | permeable, sandy |
❏ Real aloe - the best location
Aloe Vera loves warm, bright places. It also tolerates partial shade well. In summer you can also place the desert lily outside on the terrace or in the garden. Make sure it is in a sunny location, the blazing sun cannot harm it. However, you should allow the plant a 14-day acclimatization phase in partial shade. Bring the aloe vera back into the house in autumn, because it does not tolerate cold and frost. The plant overwinters excellently on onebright place, with temperatures higher than 10 °C Celsius.
❏ Real aloe in a pot
- A heavy planter is recommended. It should have the same diameter at the top and bottom so that the bucket cannot fall over later.
- The potting soil must be permeable, dry and slightly calcareous. Mix normal potting soil with granite chips, perlite and coarse sand. Cactus or succulent soil has also proven itself. The important thing is that the soil must be low in nutrients.
- In addition, a drainage in the bucket is advisable so that excess water can run off and no waterlogging can occur. Use granite chips or coarse gravel for this.
➔ Do not damage leaves when planting
You can get young aloe plants in the garden center or via online plant delivery. You will receive these already potted. Nevertheless, it is advisable to repot the plants into a larger planter soon, as the desert lily is fast-growing.
And this is how you start repotting step by step:
- Remove the plant carefully from the old pot. Do this by touching the bottom of the aloe vera, but not the leaves. These break very easily, leaving unsightly wounds on the plant.
- Then place the aloe in the new pot and fill it with soil. If you often tap the planter on a solid surface, the soil in the pot will solidify and the plant will have a stable hold.
- Finally, water your desert lily well. Remove excess water immediately. Only water again when the top layer of soil in the pot feels dry.
❏ Water moderately in summer, much less in winter
- As soon as the soil is noticeably dry in summer, the aloe vera is watered. If the plant is dry for too long, it uses its water reserves and the leaves lose their rich green colour.
- In winter the soil in the pot can almost dry out. It is enough if you water your succulent once every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Be careful not to wet the leaves with water and avoid waterlogging.
❏ Aloe vera - fertilize with special fertilizer
During the growth phase in summer, fertilize the aloe vera every 2 to 4 weeks with a succulent fertilizer. Only in winter the plant is not supplied with nutrients.
❏ When is the aloe vera pruned?
The real aloe does not necessarily have to be cut. Unless it has dry or wilted leaves that should be removed to restore the plant's appearancepure is. Another reason for cutting the desert lily is when you want to separate a leaf for collecting the gel. For this, always use the lowest leaves first, which are cut off cleanly close to the base of the plant.
❏ Pests caused by care mistakes
The real aloe is basically resistant to diseases. However, root rot can occur if the soil in the pot or tub is constantly too wet. The plant can then no longer be saved. Mealybugs and/or root lice can infest in winter.
Detecting and fighting pests
- An infestation of mealybugs can be recognized by the white nests on the bases of the leaves. These suck up the plant sap and thus weaken the plant. If you still want to use the leaves for wound healing, then you must not use any chemical pesticides. It is best to wipe off the affected leaves with an alcohol-soaked cloth or cotton ball. If you want to be sure, repeat this process several times over the next few days.
- The root aphids sit invisibly on the roots of the plant and pierce them. They also feed on the sap of plants. Root lice form white nests on the ground, on roots and on the inside walls of the pot. On the other hand, only repotting and treating the roots in a similar way to infestation with mealybugs can help.
Summary: The aloe vera is popular as a subtropical plant, but in our latitudes it can only be kept as a pot or tub plant. Succulent soil is suitable as a plant substrate. Only a little is watered and fertilized with a special fertilizer. The gel from its leaves has a healing effect on wounds.