Greek
Aloe
Aloe is one of the most famous succulents found in every home, as it combines exotic beauty with valuable healing properties. Aloe can remain in a pot on the balcony and in our yard, while it can also be kept as an indoor plant inside the house.
There are many types of aloe, but the most well-known type is aloe vera (Aloe vera barbadensis) whose leaves contain the precious transparent jelly and we use it to treat burns, wound healing and dozens of other cases.
So let's see in detail how we grow aloe in a pot and what care it needs to have beautiful healthy plants and enjoy its precious leaves.
In which position do we place the aloe pot?
We choose bright spots to place the aloe, protected from frost and strong north winds.
If we have the pot on a balcony, we prefer positions with a west or east orientation and lots of light. We avoid south-facing balconies, as direct contact with the sun's rays, especially in the hot midday hours, can cause burns to the aloe's foliage. To keep the aloe indoors, we place it near a west window so that it has plenty of light and away from heating bodies such as fireplaces and radiators.
How often do we water potted aloe?
The most common problem with aloe plants is overwatering. As with most succulents, too much moisture can cause root rot and destroy our plant. We water the aloe usually once a week, in spring and autumn, and only after the soil in the pot has dried, while in winter the watering becomes less frequent. During the summer we water more often, twice a week, due to high temperatures.
When and how are aloe leaves harvested?
We harvest the ripe aloe leaves when our plant reaches the age of three years, as this is when the aloe gel acquires the desired medicinal properties. At this stage the aloe leaves are over 30cm long, although it should be noted that potted aloe plants grow less than plants planted in the ground. Suitable time to collect aloe leaves is during the autumn months when we have better quality and production performance, however for domestic use we can cut an aloe leaf and use it according to the need we have throughout the year.
And a secret about potted aloe
We can create new aloe plants at home to fill our pots easily and cheaply, as aloe grows lateral shoots that can grow into new plants. When the offshoots reach a length of 10-15 cm, we cut them from the mother plant and plant them in new pots. And if the aloe gives us many offshoots and new plants, we can give some pots to our loved ones!