

Step 6: Use the gel fresh or store in the refrigerator for later use.Īloe gel doesn't last long, so be sure to use stored gel within a few days. Step 4: With the knife or your hands, gently (and safely!) separate the outside of the leaf from the inner gel. Step 3: Wash and dry the leaves, then trim the prickly edges with a knife. Take care not to damage the stem or roots of the plant. Step 2: Grab a sterilized pair of scissors or shears and remove no more than three or four leaves by cutting them close to the stem. Step 1: Choose leaves that are thick, healthy, and in the outer section of the plant. Here are the steps to cut and harvest your aloe vera successfully: The leaves that you cut won’t regenerate, but your aloe will work to grow new leaves to replace the old ones, so harvesting your aloe doesn’t mean that it’s the end for your plant. But cutting them? Also easy! As long as you’re harvesting from a mature plant, you shouldn’t have many issues when you follow the process properly.
#Aloe plant stem how to#
NUM LPPHOTO/Shutterstock How to cut aloe vera plants without killing themĬaring for aloe vera plants is easy. Harvesting from aloe too early or too often can weaken or kill it. Step 6: Begin harvesting from your aloe once it is a couple yeas old and has reached its mature size, and wait a few weeks between harvests. Step 5: Plant your aloe in well-draining soil. Step 3: Place your aloe in bright, indirect sunlight, and out of direct sunlight.Īlthough they can handle droughts, aloe plants prefer regular watering. How to water succulents: An easy guide to happy, healthy plants Is there mold in your plant soil? What you need to know

How to grow indoor ivy plants without having them take over your house Pests primarily target weaker plants, so proper care can cut down on the risk considerably. Step 2: Watch for signs of mealybugs, mites, and scale and remove these pests when found. This may mean growing your aloe entirely indoors or only leaving them outdoors for part of the year. Step 1: Keep your aloe in an area that is between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Van/Pexels How to care for your aloe plantĪloe vera plants are a beautiful member of the succulent family that aren’t too difficult to care for, which makes their benefits easy to obtain. If you’re perfectly healthy and have no underlying conditions, though, aloe is a great plant to grow at home and harvest.

There can be side effects to ingesting aloe.

#Aloe plant stem skin#
If you’ve never used aloe vera gel or leaves in any form, test it on a small part of your skin before applying to the afflicted area to see if there are any adverse effects. For some people, it causes irritation and discomfort. If you’re planning on using aloe vera for anything other than a topical salve, you should talk with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.Īn important note: Not everyone can use the gel of the aloe vera plant. You can use aloe vera at home, as it has a variety of benefits, including:įor some things, you can simply use the fresh gel that you get from the aloe leaves however, some ( like aloe juice) will require a recipe. But why not have the fresh stuff right at home? They have been used medicinally for thousands of years, and you may have even seen aloe vera in modern-day skin care products. Show 1 more item noomsitiracht/Shutterstock Why you should grow an aloe vera plantĪside from being gorgeous succulents, aloe vera plants have a variety of health benefits and uses that make them ideal plants to have around the house.
