Aloe Vera plants are very easy to grow and cultivate

The only requirements include mild temperatures, good drainage and occasional watering since aloe vera is of the cactus family. Aloe species number over 250 and are mostly native to Africa. Sizes range to tiny plants all the way to gigantic plant colonies. Since aloe vera plants are succulent plants, they do best in areas where there is no chance of frost. The plants are 95% water, the reason they are highly susceptible to frost.

As house plants, aloe vera plants are an excellent addition. During the winter, they thrive indoors and in the summer, putting your aloe vera plants outdoors is definitely a treat for them. If you live in a climate that is conducive to these plants, make sure you plant them in the sunny areas of your garden. They will tolerate partial shade but if you do plant them where sun is available all of the time, than make sure you water them more often, but only once the soil is dry.

What kind of soil can aloe vera plants grow in?

It needs to be moderately fertile and fast draining. The best is a sandy loam with good drainage. If your soil tends to be more clay-like, than mixing the soil with some gravel will enhance better drainage. Should drought become an issue, a well established plant will survive far better than a transplant, which should be given more water. Watering is done by soaking the soil and then letting the soil dry in between successive watering.

Baby aloe vera plants grow at the base of a mature plant. These little aloe vera plants can be transplanted when they are approximately 15cm in height. Planting them deeper in the soil will assure good root system, but more important is to assure the plant has enough space between other plants since the roots grow vertically.

Blossoms should be cut so that the energy is directed to a better development of the leaves where the medicinal wonders are located.

Aloe vera is very easy to grow

Remembering that they are part of the cactus family should help you remember not to over water them as they are already made up of 95% water. Over watering them would eventually cause the leaves to rot as well as the roots if subjected to standing water.

When growing aloe vera plants, you are able to take advantage of a plant that is soothing to skin scrapes and other minor injuries. It is a wonderful compliment to flowering plants, providing a pale to deep green backdrop. Even in a garden where other succulents grow gives it a showy desert-like display.

By following growing recommendations, you will soon find that aloe vera plants are an addition to your garden that will be appreciated for years to come and an excellent testimony to your “green thumb.”