How to Propagate Aloe Vera Grow new plants from your existing ones by learning how to propagate aloe. Spread them around the house, gift them away, and use them as needed. In This Article View All In This Article About Aloe Vera How to Propagate Aloe Why You Should Propagate Aloe Caring for Aloe Vera Plants Close Aloe vera is more than just a hardy succulent—it's also a source of health benefits. Whether you're soothing a sunburn, blending it into smoothies for digestive support, or stirring it into tea for better sleep, this versatile plant is worth having on hand. Instead of buying new plants or store-bought gel, why not grow your own? Propagating aloe vera is an easy, sustainable, and cost-effective way to ensure a fresh supply. With just a healthy plant, the right soil, a fresh container, and a few expert tips, you'll be on your way to growing aloe at home. Hayden Shuping, greenhouse manager for Reynolda Gardens Vicky Popat, CFO and tropical plant expert at PlantOGram What to Know About Aloe Vera Aloe, or Aloe vera, is a tender plant that forms a rosette of long, slender, fleshy leaves that are lined with soft, spiny teeth along the edges, says Hayden Shuping, greenhouse manager for Reynolda Gardens. Once those leaves are cut open, you'll find the gel-like substance that many health experts use for everything from beauty treatments to recipes. The interior pulp contains a substance called aloin, which makes it a favorite holistic treatment thanks to its reported anti-inflammatory properties. Just be sure to read up on the proper way to consume the plant if you plan to use it in any recipes, as parts of the succulent are toxic. How to Propagate Aloe Plants There are a few different methods you can follow when learning how to propagate aloe vera. Both are simple, and you only need a few supplies. Materials TrowelPotsSandy soilPruning Snips Method 1: Repot Offshoots If you plant aloe in the ground or in a pot, you'll notice that it produces offsets ("pups") on its own near the base of the original plant. Shuping says the best way to propagate an aloe plant is by gently removing these offshoot plants. To do so, use a trowel and gentle hand to break up soil around the pups. Trying to keep as much of the root system intact as you can, gently pull the pup out of the ground. "Pot the young plants in appropriately sized containers as individuals or in small groups to have a more established looking container plant," Shuping says. As a succulent, aloe vera loves well-draining, sandy soil. Each newly potted offshoot will become a mother plant in its own right, producing even more pups. Method 2: Create Cuttings From Mature Plants Working with aloe vera pups is easiest when you're hoping to propagate new plants, says Vicky Popat, CFO and tropical plant expert at PlantOGram, but you can also do it from cuttings. "[Cutting mature leaves back] will help produce healthy new leaves," she says. To propagate from cuttings, you'll need to make a clean cut in a mature leaf. Create a clean cut with pruning snips, then place the clipped aloe on a dry paper towel out of the sun. Wait a few days to allow the wound from the cutting to dry out. If the leaf begins to rot or decay, you will have to toss it and start again with a fresh leaf. If the leaf successfully dries out and begins to "scab" over, you can place it into damp soil (not wet) and wait for it to root. Why You Should Propagate Aloe Aloe plants can become crowded since shoots will continually grow from the base of a healthy mother plant, and overcrowding within your pot is not optimal for the plant's health. "Dividing the plants is the best way to make room within the container for new leaves and roots," says Shuping. "Cutting off large leaves at the base of the plant can give the new shoots more room and light to grow without dividing the entire plant." Caring for Your Propagated Aloe Vera Whether you repot offshoots, clip from mature plants, or do both, you'll want to take care of your aloe vera plant so it can thrive. Proper care includes the right soil, watering routine, and light exposure. Soil and Drainage Shuping emphasizes the importance of well-draining soil to prevent root rot. For best results, use a premixed cactus or succulent soil. If you'd like to go the DIY route and make your own, Shuping says to add: Coarse sand (never beach sand due to the salt content)Rock grit (such as chicken grit)Lava rockPerlite or other sieved aggregates Light and Placement Aloe vera thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Choose a spot that avoids harsh, direct sun exposure, which can scorch the leaves. Watering Tips After repotting, avoid watering for the first two weeks to allow roots to settle..Once established, water every few weeks, making sure the soil dries out completely between waterings.If the leaves look mushy or discolored, cut back on watering. Explore more: Garden Houseplants Succulents Sources decorvow is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Luo X, Zhang H, Wei X, et al. Aloin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of nf-κb. Molecules. 2018;23(3):517.