by Nish Laverz

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

AloeVera is a sun loving plant that will grow in dry conditions.

It is said to be an easy plant to grow indoors and out if the conditions are right.

Most people who grow AloeVeragrow it indoors.

They are slow growing indoors and so it will take a few years for a young plant to grow into a large one. If you have the right environment and are growing it outdoors it will grow faster.

It is best grown in dry soilwithModerate to Bright sunlight and need very little water as it holds it in very well. So if you live in an area with a warm climate then you could grow AloeVeraoutside.

Aloe Vera is a succulent not a cactus so it needs to be watered regularly but not too much to keep the leaves fleshy and juicy,

It will grow in just about any soil but it loves a sandy well drained soil the most.

They do not like frost so do not plant them outside if where you live is prone to frosty nights.

So to grow a AloeVeraplant the best thing you should do is plant itinsandy soil,in a pot that drainseasily. Place the pot in an area that gets lots of sun and make sure it gets water regularly during the summer months, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings you should allow the soil to dry out during the winter months as during this time the plant is dormant and so does not utilise much water.

You can removeoffsets (pups) from around the base of the plant and pot them. These will grow in to new plants. It is best to remove them when they are about 3 inches high as if you let them get bigger they will start to suck the life out of the larger (mother) plant. When planting the pups water them well then do not water again for three weeks, this will force the root system to strengthen and search for water. Don't worry if theyturn grey or brown initially as this is normal and they should turn the colour of the mother plant after a short time.

When the plant becomes to big for its planter and you decide to repot choose a wider not deeper one as the root system of the Aloe Vera plant is shallow and so will not need a deeper pot.

Symptoms Of Poor Plant Care and how to treat them.

The plants leaves lie flat instead of upright: The plant may not be getting enough sunlight. Move the plant into a etter position.

The plants leaves are brown: The plant may be getting to much sun light move it in to a less sunny spot, but make sure it is still getting a fair bit of it.

Leaves are thin and curled:plant is not being watered enough, it's using up its own liquid. Water it more regularly.

The plant is very slow growing: (Remember if planted in a pot in the house it grows slow). It could be a sign of over watering or soil that is not draining, you may have used to much fertilizer or the soil may have a high alkalinecontent. It could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough light content. Check all of these and rectify accordingly.

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