How to grow aloe at home: tips for beginners

Fans of succulents will tell you that different types of aloe are not only spectacular houseplants, but also useful. But we'll talk about how they can be used in home cosmetology and the treatment of certain diseases another time.

Now let's focus on how to grow healthy aloe on your windowsill. OBOZ.UA has collected all the secrets.

First of all, decide on the type that you prefer. Probably the most common is the tree aloe or the centenary aloe. But aloe vera brings the greatest additional benefits - it also grows well indoors. In addition, you can choose multi-leaf, striped, or pleated aloe, marlotta, and other species. They all need more or less the same care.

For succulents, it is best to choose clay pots with a drainage hole. They do not allow moisture to stagnate - excessive water can lead to rapid decay and death of aloe. The plant tolerates drought much better.

For any aloe, you need to choose light, well-drained, low-nutrient soil. A ready-made cactus mix is good, but you can also mix a universal potting mix with sand and vermiculite. And don't forget to put a layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot to help drain excess water away from the plant's roots.

Since aloes are desert plants, they like well-lit places and feel great even in direct sunlight. But a dark corner is not suitable for this succulent.

Watering the plant should be moderate. Always wait until the soil in the pot is dry before adding new water. In summer, the frequency of watering is slightly increased due to the heat.

But under normal conditions, aloe does not need fertilization. The plant lives on poor soils and an excess of nutrients will be more likely to be detrimental to it. However, if you want to stimulate the flowering of your aloe, then you should use fertilizers. But an ordinary universal mixture will not do. Buy a special product for succulents and use it strictly according to the instructions. Or even dilute it more than it recommends.

It will also help to arrange a dormant period for the plant. To do this, reduce watering to a minimum in winter and move it to a cool place with a temperature of 12-15 degrees. But make sure that it does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius.

If your succulent has faded or has a few leaves wilted, be sure to cut off the dry part. This will stimulate the aloe to grow and help it better distribute its vital resources.

Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.