Aloe vera plants are easy to grow and have a variety of benefits. They can treat skin conditions, heal wounds, and improve digestion. Aloe vera plants are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Aloe vera plants can be grown indoors or outdoors and tolerate different growing conditions. However, many people seek to cultivate the benefits of this plant as fast as possible. In this article, we will see if this plant can grow quickly, and we will give you some tips on making your aloe vera grow quicker than usual.
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Do Aloe Vera Plants Grow Fast?
Aloe Vera plants grow relatively slowly, typically producing new leaves within a month and reaching maturity within a year. But this is only true when the plant is grown outdoors and given the proper growth conditions. However, if aloe vera is grown indoors, it will take up to 4 years to mature.
The reason why aloe vera and other succulents grow slowly is that they are native to desert climates. In fact, the harsh desert climate made aloe vera grow slowly because, in such conditions, the plant will never have enough water to grow. As a result, this plant has no choice but to store water in its thick, fleshy leaves, typically found on the top of the plant.
When a plant relies only on the water that can store in its leaves, it will automatically have a low growth rate because the quantity of water it can use is very minimal.
Being a desert plant also gave aloe vera its vertical shape. In fact, The harsh desert climate gave aloe vera its upright shape because the high temperatures and intense sun radiation caused the plants to grow near the ground to reach water and avoid being burned by the heat.
Another reason succulents such as aloe vera grow slowly is that they have a shallow root system. This allows them to absorb more water and nutrients from the soil.
If you are interested in a natural fertilizer that helps aloe vera grow faster, watch the following video:
Click here to check our article about why aloe vera leaves curl.
Do the Aloe Vera Plants Grow Fast at Home or Outdoor?
Aloe Vera plants can grow indoors or outdoors, but they will grow faster if cultivated outdoors. The reason is that the sun’s natural light will help the plant grow faster. It is also advisable to place the plant in an area that receives a good amount of direct sunlight. This will help the plant grow more quickly and keep it healthy.
The best place for growing an aloe vera plant would be in a well-lit area that receives at least 5 hours of natural light daily.
Indoor environments, on the other hand, are not as conducive to aloe vera growth and can often be too dry or too warm. But if you want to grow aloe vera plants indoors, you can still expose the plant to maximum light by using grow light. This will help the plant grow more quickly and keep it healthy. But, generally, growing a succulent indoors will require patience and extra care.
Wondering if aloe vera leaves grow back after cutting? Here is the answer.
What Are the Factors that Slow the Growth of The Aloe Vera Plant?
Three main factors will slow down the growth of your aloe vera plant: overwatering, lack of light exposure, and use of a pot that is not suitable for the plant.
Over-watering will make the aloe vera plant grow slowly because the excess water will fill up the plant’s cells and make it difficult for it to transport nutrients and carbon dioxide. This will cause the plant to produce fewer and smaller leaves.
Overwatering can also produce root rot and yellow leaves, which will significantly slow your aloe vera plant’s growth rate.
The lack of light will make aloe vera grow slowly because it is a plant native to the desert, where sunlight is abundant. Also, without sunlight, the aloe vera plant will not be able to photosynthesize and produce the energy it needs to grow. And without photosynthesis, the plant cannot make food and will eventually die.
Using an inadequate pot will also slow down the growth rate of aloe vera plants. For example, large pots will make this plant grow slowly because the amount of water a big container can retain will keep the soil wet for a long time. As a result, the plant will be overwatered and unable to dry out.
On the other hand, when you use a small pot, the plant’s roots will not have enough room to spread out. This will cause the plant to become root-bound and stunted.
Can aloe vera withstand cold weather? Check out this article to get the answer.
How to Grow Aloe Vera Plant at Home Fast?
Generally, the aloe vera plant grows at a low pace at home. But you can speed up this process by trying to mimic the desert climate at home as much as possible. The main things you can do to provide such conditions are using grow light to substitute artificial sunlight and utilizing well-drained soil to keep the plant’s roots dry most of the time.
The more you pay attention to details when growing aloe vera at home, the quicker you will help it to grow. Here are the most essential tips that you should consider to grow aloe vera plants at home fast:
- Use a Pot that Fits the Size of The Plant: When growing aloe vera, it is essential to use a pot that is the right size. A pot that is too small will restrict the plant’s growth, while a pot that is too large will cause root rot.
- Repot the plant only When the Roots Become Too Large than The Pot: Aloe vera is a succulent plant that does not require frequent repotting. In fact, over-repotting can actually slow the growth of the plant. Aloe vera plants should only be repotted when they become root-bound or when their pot becomes too small for the plant.
- Do Not Trim the Leaves Often: Aloe vera is a succulent plant that stores water in its leaves. If the leaves are trimmed too often, the plant will not have enough water to survive, making it grow slowly.
- Use a Fast-Draining Soil Mix: A fast-draining soil mix is essential for growing aloe vera because it helps to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged and allows the soil to remain aerated. This is important because it helps to prevent the roots from suffocating and promotes fast and healthy growth.
- Use an Unglazed Clay Pot: this kind of pot is made of unglazed clay. This means that the pot has not been covered in a layer of glaze, a ceramic material usually used to make pots and other objects more durable and resistant to damage. Clay pots are porous and allow the soil to breathe, which is essential for succulents like aloe vera. The unglazed surface also helps to regulate the soil’s moisture levels, keeping the succulents’ roots from becoming too wet or too dry. Clay pots can also heat up quickly in the sun, which can help to create a warm and hospitable environment for aloe vera.
- Use a Moister Meter Before Watering Your Aloe Vera: This device will help you avoid overwatering, which can save your plant from root rot. In fact, moisture meters are essential for gardening because they allow you to precisely determine how much water your plants need. Using such a device can avoid over-watering or under-watering your plants. To use this tool, insert the metal prongs into the soil next to the plant. Push down on the prongs to get a good reading. Then, the meter will give you a percentage or moisture level lesson. If the meter says that the soil is 100%, then the plant does not need water. If the meter says that the soil is 50%, then the plant needs half its total water volume.
- Water Your Aloe Vera Thoroughly when The Moisture Meter Indicates that The Soil Is Dry: Watering thoroughly provides this plant with the water it needs to grow healthy and strong. It also helps to distribute fertilizer evenly and encourages profound root growth. Also, when aloe vera is well-watered, it can resist pests and diseases more efficiently.
- Feed Them with Low Quantity but High Quality as They Are Not Heavy Feeders: Aloe Vera needs few nutrients because it is a succulent. This means that the Plant stores water in its leaves and stem, allowing it to go for long periods without water. Aloe Vera also has a shallow root system, which means it doesn’t need a lot of nutrients to survive. This root system helps the plant take up more soil nutrients. As a result, frequent fertilizing will only result in slow aloe vera growth.
- Use Coffee Grounds to Fight Mealybugs: This kind of bug can make the aloe vera plant grow at a slow rate. But coffee grounds can be used to fight this kind of bug organically. To use coffee grounds as a mealybug deterrent, sprinkle them around the base of the plant. Do not apply coffee grounds directly to the leaves. If you do, the caffeine in the grounds may cause the plant to flower prematurely. Instead, use a cloth or paper towel to pick up the grounds and then place them around the base of the plant. Also, do not apply more than 1 cup of grounds per plant.
- If You Are a Fun of Fertilizers, Then Use a Liquid One and Apply It Every Few Months: Liquid fertilizers are preferred over solid fertilizers for aloe vera because they are more easily absorbed by this plant. Liquid fertilizers also provide a more even distribution of nutrients than solid fertilizers, which can result in uneven growth. Liquid fertilizers also won’t damage plants like solid fertilizers can when they are over-applied.
- Expose Your Aloe Vera to several Light Hours a Day: To do so, place your plant near the south o west window or use grow light. Aloe Vera needs long hours of light exposure to produce healthy leaves. The long hours of light help create the enzymes necessary for the plant to thrive. Aloe Vera will take the shortest route possible to survive in the absence of light.
- Pull the Pups Off the Mother Plant to Encourage Faster Growth: There are many reasons why pulling the pups from the mother plant is essential. One reason is that if the pup is not removed, the mother plant will eventually use its resources to support the pup. Another reason is that the pup can take away nutrients and water from the mother plant, stunting its growth or killing it. Finally, if the pup is not removed, it can take over the mother plant’s space and crowd it out.
Hesitating about keeping aloe vera in the bedroom? Click here to get the answer.
