Aloe vera is an incredible plant and I’m not just saying that because I’m prone to sunburns. Not only do these succulents offer medicinal value but they’re also quite easy to grow even with zero experience.
Another great thing about Aloe vera is how simple it is to propagate. All you need is a healthy, mature plant and an hour or two of free time to create countless offspring.
In this article, I’ll teach you the basics of how to propagate Aloe vera using my preferred method.
Methods of Propagating Aloe Plants
If you’re interested in propagating your Aloe vera plant, you have three viable options. While there are pros and cons to each, I tend to recommend using the first method below whenever possible.
Propagation via Pups or Offsets
Like many other succulent species, Aloe vera plants readily produce natural clones. These babies grow at the base of the parent plant and are commonly called pups, offsets, or offshoots.
A mature, healthy Aloe plant will usually send out more pups than the average gardener knows what to do with. Removing the pups and planting them in individual containers is extremely easy and relatively foolproof.
Propagation via Stem Cuttings
It’s also possible to propagate Aloe vera from cuttings. For the greatest chance of success, however, you need to use a stem cutting.
The most common way to take Aloe stem cuttings for propagation is to ‘top’ the plant. This involves cutting off the uppermost section of the stem (including any attached leaves). You can then place the cutting in the soil where it will grow its own root system. If done correctly, the base of the plant will regrow as well.
Propagation via Leaf Cuttings
Propagating Aloe vera from leaf cuttings is technically possible but rarely recommended. Aloe leaves contain so much moisture that they usually start to rot before any roots have time to develop.
If you have an extra leaf or two on hand, it doesn’t hurt to give this method a try. But I wouldn’t bet on getting the results you want — at least not the first time.
How To Propagate Aloe Vera — Step-by-Step
Propagating Aloe vera from offshoots is so easy that I honestly believe anyone can do it. Just gather the listed supplies and follow the steps I’ve outlined below.
Equipment Required
- Aloe vera plant with pups
- Sanitized shears, knives, or scissors
- Container with drainage holes — enough for the number of pups you want to propagate
- Cacti and succulent potting mix
- Rooting hormone powder (optional)
1. Check Your Plant for Offshoots
Your mature Aloe vera needs to produce pups before you can start propagating. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to convince this plant to clone itself.
You’ll find pups growing around the base of the parent plant. I recommend waiting until the pups are a few inches tall and have several healthy leaves of their own before moving on.
2. Remove Your Plant from Its Pot
Gently remove the entire plant system from its container or garden bed, being careful not to damage the roots of the parent Aloe or its pups.
Brush away the soil until you can clearly see where the pups connect to the parent plant. Good visibility is a must for the next step.
3. Separate Pups from the Parent Aloe
The best way to separate Aloe vera pups from their mother is by carefully untangling the root system. Though time-consuming, I find that this method is the least likely to cause damage.
You may need to cut the rhizome — a type of underground stem — attaching each pup to the parent plant. Use only clean, sharp tools to do this, and avoid cutting through any root tissue.
4. Set Aside the Healthiest Pups
There’s no guarantee that every Aloe pup will be worth propagating. Go ahead and examine each offshoot and discard those that show signs of rot, physical damage, or poor development.
Take a look at the pups’ individual root systems as well. Healthy roots should be light brown or green in color and show no signs of decay. Trim away any unhealthy sections of root tissue using clean scissors or shears.
What To Do with Rootless Aloe Pups
You might also discover that not all of the pups have roots of their own. But a rootless pup that is otherwise in good condition is still worth trying to propagate.
You can apply a rooting hormone powder to the bottom ends of rootless Aloe pups to encourage new growth. I also recommend using rooting hormone on pups with small root systems.
5. Plant Aloe Pups
Plant each Aloe vera pup in a small container filled with dry cactus and succulent potting soil — the key word here is ‘dry’. Do not water the plant until after the first week. This waiting period allows the pup to form a callous over the cut attachment point, which prevents infection and rot.
Caring for Aloe Vera After Propagation
After the first week, you can go on caring for your Aloe vera pups just as you would a mature plant. Here’s a quick refresher on how to care for these easy-going succulents:
- Light Needs — Aloe vera needs full sun or bright, indirect light throughout the entire day when grown indoors. Plants grown outdoors require at least 6 hours of full sun (preferably in the morning).
- Watering — Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Aloe vera plants typically don’t need much or any water during winter dormancy.
- Temperature & Humidity — Aloe vera thrives in average household temperatures and humidity levels. Protect plants from temperatures below 40°F.
- Soil Type — Use loose, sandy soil that drains quickly to prevent root rot. I recommend investing in a specialty cactus and succulent potting mix.
- Fertilizer — These plants don’t require any supplemental nutrition. If desired, you can apply a diluted houseplant fertilizer to potted Aloe plants once per year.
Common Aloe Vera Propagation Problems
There aren’t many problems that commonly befall Aloe vera during or after the propagation process. But one issue I hear many gardeners complain about is a lack of viable pups or offshoots growing from their mature Aloe plants.
Lack of Offshoots
Getting the parent plant to produce pups is often the hardest part of propagating Aloe vera.
Keep in mind that only healthy, mature plants consistently produce offshoots. Your Aloe may need to be several years old before it starts cloning itself.
Aloe vera plants are more likely to reproduce via pups when slightly root bound. A pot that is too big may discourage offshoots from growing.
There’s also a chance that your Aloe vera isn’t reproducing due to poor health. Check for signs of overwatering or lack of sunlight as these will hinder your plant’s development.
For more help and advice about growing and caring for succulents, why not click the link to read Why is my Succulent Turning Brown?
FAQs Propagating Aloe Plants
Can You Grow Aloe Vera From a Leaf Cutting?
While you may be able to coax root growth from an Aloe vera leaf cutting, this method is rarely successful. Aloe leaves are extremely high in moisture and tend to rot before roots can form. I recommend propagating from offshoots instead.
Citations
- University of North Carolina – Basic Aloe vera care
- Gardening Know How Aloe vera not producing pups troubleshooting
Ben's horticultural interest grew when graduating from Hertfordshire University in 1997. Having contributed to numerous publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Garden Design Magazine, and The English Garden. He is also the author of Propagating Houseplants Made Easy.
