ONLY SUCCULENT IN MY GARDEN – ALOE VERA

GROWING ALOE VERA AT HOME

 We keep hearing the benefits of aloe vera from skin experts to doctors, from newspapers to star interviews. Everyone has awareness about the richness of aloe vera. For consuming aloe vera either to eat, drink or as skin care, we always prefer fresh produce. So why not produce our own aloe vera?. Here is all about growing aloe vera at home.

HOW TO GROW ALOE VERA

It is very easy to grow and maintain aloe vera. With little care it gives lot of good things to us. Aloe vera is a succulent growing in the tropical climates. It is mainly grown for decoration, medicinal purpose. This succulent thrives in low rainfall areas and does not tolerate low temperatures, frost and snow.

Aloe vera is an ornamental plant that has no stem. Only flush green leaves with spikes along the margin. This succulent has short root and heavy leafy head. Aloe vera can be grown easily in

• Containers or Pots
• Raised bed
• Or directly in the ground.

Aloe vera can be grown in

• Indoor
• Near window sill
• Outdoor

Where there is plenty of sun, as aloe vera loves sun. It grows well in hot summers.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CARING & MAINTENANCE

For growing aloe Vera effectively, the following things are required:

• SUN

Aloe Vera needs adequate sunlight. As the succulent grows best in hot climate, it requires 9-10 hours of sunlight. As the plant thrives in hot conditions, frost and lower temperature may harm the plant growth.

INCREASE IN SUNLIGHT

Aloe Vera turns brown along the edges of the leaves, when the sunlight is extreme. Even this succulent gets sun burns, when the temperature is extreme. If you spot any brownish colour along the leaf margin then move the plants to the shade until the climate becomes moderate.

DECREASE IN SUNLIGHT

This succulent grows flat and stops growing when there is inadequate sunlight. Mostly many who has this plant indoors will experience it. So if you spot these symptoms, then try to move the plants in direct sunlight.

• WELL DRAINING SOIL

While planting, provide a well draining soil. Every plants will require a good draining soil to grow well.

• FERTILISERS

Provide a good fertilisers once a year or so  for the health growth of the succulent. The plant grows well in the months of April – August. So providing manures and fertilisers at this time will enhance the growth of aloe Vera.

Usually, succulents like aloe Vera does not need fertilisers or manures.

• WATERING

The succulent will not need watering everyday. Whenever the soil is dry, water the plant.  

1. In summers, aloe vera needs proper watering. Two days once or daily.
2. In winters, wait until the soil dries. Water the succulents once or twice a month.

OVER WATERING:

The leaves will start becomes yellowing when you over water your plant.

LESS WATERING: 

If the plant is lack of water, leads to the curling at the ends.

• REMOVING WEEDS

Remove weeds from the plant, as weeds tends to suck up all the nutrients. Removing weeds will enhance the growth of the plant,

• CHOOSING CONTAINERS

Choose big containers for growing aloe Vera, to avoid often re-potting.

PESTS

Aloe Vera is not affected by most of the pests. If you spot any pest in your succulent, it may cause harm to the plant growth. I have not seen any pests around my succulents.

GROWTH

Aloe vera grows well in tropical climate. As it is year round plant, re-potting the old plant or transplanting the new plant, may help in healthy growth of the plant.

RE-POTTING

When you buy the plant, it comes in small pot. It will not have enough space for the plant growth. So repotting them in a big pot is necessary.

If you use big containers at the first stage, you can avoid frequent repotting. Suppose your plant grows tremendously overflowing the container, then it is time to change the pot.  

TRANSPLANTING / PROPAGATING NEW PLANTS

When you forget to re-pot, suppose if your succulent has occupied the entire pot, then you may see the baby plants emerging called “pups”.

You can transplant the pup into new container, after them reaching a certain stage like 2-4 inches of growth.

Before transplanting, make sure watering the soil. After carefully removing the plants along with some soil from the parent plant, place them in the new pot.

Do not water the plant for 2-4 days. Then start water sparingly and start watering according your climatic zone as mentioned above.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Aloe vera has many health benefits and uses. This succulent is rich in

• Vitamin A, C, E, Vitamin B12
• Folic acid, choline
• Calcium. Manganese, Sodium, Zinc.etc
• Other enzymes and healing properties.
• Sugars like monosaccharide and polysaccharides – It has anti- allergic and anti- inflammatory properties.

USES

Aloe vera GEL is used in various cosmetics and skin care purpose. It can be also consumed for its various goodness.

• Prevents dandruff
• Heals –  Sun burns, rashes, irritaitons, etc.,
• For treating pimples
• For enhancing the metabolism
• Helps digestions and treats constipation
• Treats diabetes
• Reduces inflammations, allergies
• And much more.

Aloe vera has many benefits and is low maintenance. So, this summer, start growing aloe vera in your home  and consume your own fresh produce. Leave your comments below about your favorite succulents and mine is aloe vera.

If you are interested in growing mint, then click here – MINT

Growing summer vegetables – LADY’S FINGER