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Aloe vera
Aloe vera
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
QUICK ANSWER
Offset separation is the most reliable method and gives a rooted new plant in 2 to 4 weeks. Seed propagation works for unusual cultivars but takes 2 to 3 years to reach a useful size and germination is patchy.
Leaf cuttings do not root reliably for Aloe vera and are not worth attempting at home.
Leaf cuttings do not root reliably for Aloe vera and are not worth attempting at home.
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Offset division
Best when your aloe has produced pups around the base
From seed
Best for growing rare aloe cultivars from scratch
Offset division
Time
2–4 weeks
Level
Beginner
Success rate
High
You'll need
Sterile knife or sharp pruners
4-inch pot with drainage holes
Cactus or succulent mix
Bright indirect light
Rooting hormone (optional)
1
Find a pup with its own roots
Look around the base of the parent plant for a smaller offset, often called a pup. The best candidates are at least 2 inches tall and have started to push out their own roots into the soil.
A pup without roots can still work, but expect a longer rooting time and a higher chance of rot.
A pup without roots can still work, but expect a longer rooting time and a higher chance of rot.
2
Unpot the parent and separate
Slide the whole plant out of its pot and gently shake away loose soil so you can see where the pup connects to the parent. Wiggle the pup free at the connection point. If it resists, use a sterile knife to slice through the joining tissue.
3
Dry the cut for 2 to 3 days
Set the pup on a dry paper towel out of direct sun and let the cut surface form a callous. Aloe planted while still wet at the cut almost always rots in the pot.
This dry rest is the single most important step for success.
This dry rest is the single most important step for success.
4
Pot up in dry cactus mix
Choose a pot just slightly larger than the pup's root mass. Fill with cactus mix and nestle the pup so the bottom inch sits in the soil. Press the soil firmly so the plant stands on its own.
5
Wait a week before watering
Place the pot in bright indirect light and do not water for 7 days. The dry start lets the callous seal fully and triggers the pup to push new roots in search of moisture.
6
Water lightly and resume normal care
After the first week, water until the soil is just damp and let it dry completely before watering again. Once you see new leaf growth from the center, the pup is established and you can move it to a sunnier spot.
WATCH FOR
Soft, translucent leaves at the base. That is rot from watering before the cut sealed or from soil that stays wet too long. Unpot the plant, trim away any mushy tissue with a sterile blade, dry it for another 3 days, and replant in fresh dry mix.
From seed
Time
2–3 years
Level
Advanced
Success rate
Low
You'll need
Fresh aloe seed (under 1 year old)
Shallow seed tray with drainage
Sandy seed-starting mix
Clear humidity dome or plastic wrap
Heat mat set to 75–80°F
Bright indirect light
1
Source fresh seed
Aloe seed loses viability quickly. Buy from a specialty succulent seller and use within a year of harvest.
Older seed germinates poorly and will give you a tray of empty soil after 6 weeks of waiting.
Older seed germinates poorly and will give you a tray of empty soil after 6 weeks of waiting.
2
Prepare a sandy mix
Combine equal parts seed-starting mix and coarse sand or perlite. Fill a shallow tray and water until the mix is evenly moist but not wet. Tap the tray to settle the surface.
3
Sow on the surface
Scatter seeds across the soil surface and press them in lightly. Do not bury them. Aloe seeds need light to germinate.
4
Cover and warm
Place a clear dome or plastic wrap over the tray to hold humidity. Set the tray on a heat mat at 75 to 80°F. Keep the soil consistently moist by misting through the dome.
Germination is uneven and can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.
Germination is uneven and can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.
5
Vent and remove the dome
Once most seedlings show two true leaves, prop the dome open for a few days, then remove it. Move the tray to bright indirect light. Cut back on watering so the surface dries between mistings.
6
Pot up at 6 months
Wait until seedlings are at least an inch tall and have several plump leaves before transplanting. Move each into its own 2-inch pot of cactus mix.
From here, expect another 2 to 3 years before plants reach harvest size.
From here, expect another 2 to 3 years before plants reach harvest size.
WATCH FOR
Damping off, where seedlings collapse at the soil line and die in groups. The cause is too much surface moisture and not enough airflow. Vent the dome daily, mist instead of watering from above, and treat the surface with a sprinkle of cinnamon if collapse spreads.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Propagation methods verified against Aloe vera growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
85,026+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 9a–12b