Apart from having multiple benefits, Aloes are great plants to have around as they are beautiful, tough as nails, and very useful for burns & cuts; but if you have had an aloe plant for a few years now, possibilities are it is getting too big for its pot and needs to be repotted.
Repotting Aloe plant
Repotting is a specific type of transplanting; repotting of the aloe plants is actually an easy process. The new babies (called pups) thrive from the soil beside the original aloe vera plant. That means, splitting your aloe vera plant should be quite easy.
Benefits of Repotting
The health of a potted plant will start to deteriorate if it has outgrown its container. Roots trailing from the bottom of the pot, leaf drop, and depleted soil are signs that the plant needs repotting. Therefore, repotting plants increases health potential and overall plant growth. A large tree, for example, will need professional help, but the principles are still the same.
Best Time to Repot Aloe Plants
Repotting an aloe becomes essential if it’s starting to develop pups. These are smaller offshoots of the parent plant that are still attached to the main root system but can live on their own as full plants. If your aloe plant is starting to look droopy and leggy and is surrounded by smaller pups, it’s definitely time to transplant.
Tips for Effective Repotting:
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First, you have to carefully remove it from its current pot.
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If any pups are grown there, you should be able to pull them apart from the main root mass.
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If the plant is root-bound, you might have to hack the roots apart with a knife, carefully (Don’t worry, aloe plants are very tough and the roots can handle being cut apart).
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As long as each pup has some roots still attached, they should be fine.
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Once your aloe is separated from the parent plant, leave the plants out for at least one night in a warm- dry- place. It will help heal any wounds to the roots.
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Now, you have to plant them in new pots- small plants can be doubled up in containers that are at least 4 inches (10 cm.) across.
How often should you Repot Aloe Vera?
There are many varieties of aloe vera, all need proper care. On the basis of the size of the pot, we usually consider repotting our aloe plant at least once or twice a year. We noticed that it’s good and happier when it’s not overcrowded.
But, it will really depend on the size of your plant and the pot. Overgrown aloe vera plants aren’t healthy.
If they stay in that state for too long, they’ll die. Make sure that you divide it frequently so that it stays young and happy. Proper drainage is also very important.
