When you think of Aloe Vera, most people imagine it as something you slather on after a sunburn. While that is certainly one excellent use for it, there are many other beneficial applications for this magical plant!
This article will discuss the healing properties of aloe vera, how to grow it, use it as a natural facial moisturizer, along with ways to use it in the garden to feed and support the health of other plants.
Even if you aren’t able to grow your own aloe at home, there are still ways to obtain and use aloe vera in your garden. We’ll talk about that too.
Be sure to check out the accompanying video at the end of this post. I show you the various aloe vera plants around our garden, harvesting some leaves, processing them, and how we use aloe vera as a soil drench for newly transplanted seedlings – as well as for other (spoiled!) established plants!
Aloe vera is an incredibly versatile plant that can beautify your garden while also providing a host of health and beauty benefits. However, in order to reap the full rewards of this amazing succulent, it’s crucial to give your aloe vera plants proper spacing in order to promote healthy growth. Read on to learn why spacing matters for your aloe vera, along with tips for optimal spacing both indoors and outdoors.
Why Proper Spacing Matters
Spacing might not seem like a big deal, but it truly makes all the difference when it comes to growing vibrant, thriving aloe vera plants. Here are some of the key reasons to space your aloes appropriately:
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Prevents overcrowding and competition. Aloe vera plants that are crowded too closely will end up competing for resources like sunlight space, water and nutrients. This leads to weaker stunted plants.
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Allows air circulation. With adequate spacing between plants airflow is improved. Good air circulation keeps aloe vera leaves dry, preventing fungal diseases.
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Makes watering and care easier. Trying to water, fertilize, prune and tend to overcrowded aloe plants can be challenging. Proper spacing creates better access to each plant.
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Maximizes growth. Aloe vera plants simply grow larger and fuller when they have sufficient elbow room. You’ll get thicker leaves and more robust root development.
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Enhances visual appeal. A nicely spaced aloe vera garden looks intentional, tidy and healthy. The plants can really shine without overcrowding.
As you can see, spacing isn’t just about function – it also contributes to the form and aesthetics of your aloe vera garden or container plants.
How Much Space Does Aloe Vera Need?
Aloe vera plants vary in size depending on the variety. Some dwarf aloes stay quite small, under 1 foot tall, while larger varieties can reach heights of 3 feet or more. To determine the right spacing for your plants, research the estimated mature size of each variety you are growing.
As a general rule of thumb, here are some recommended spacing guidelines:
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Small aloe vera plants (<1 ft): Space at least 6 inches apart
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Medium aloe vera plants (1-2 ft): Space at least 1 foot apart
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Large aloe vera plants (>2 ft): Space at least 2 feet apart
These recommendations provide enough room between plants for good air circulation and growth. You may be able to plant a bit more densely if you are diligent about pruning and thinning new growth. But erring on the side of more spacing usually results in happier, healthier aloe vera plants overall.
Spacing Aloe Vera Outdoors
When planting aloe vera in garden beds or in the ground, make sure to space each plant according to its expected mature width. Mark out the planting area by using a hose, rope or spray paint to delineate individual planting holes based on the proper spacing.
To keep your aloe vera plants looking neat, use rectangular or triangular spacing patterns. Straight rows with even spacing creates an organized, uniform look. Stagger rows so that plants are offset from one row to the next for efficient use of space.
Pay attention to the sun patterns in your yard and space plants to maximize sun exposure. Most varieties do best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. South-facing spots are ideal, as long as you gradually acclimate new plants to prevent sun scald.
Spacing Aloe Vera in Pots and Planters
Container gardening with aloe vera plants allows you to cultivate them on patios, porches and indoors. Make sure to use containers large enough to accommodate each plant’s root system and growth habit. Crowding multiple aloe vera plants into a too-small pot will restrict growth.
Choose wide, shallow planters rather than narrow, deep pots to prevent overcrowding. Plant one aloe vera per 6-8 inches of pot diameter. For rectangular planters, allow at least 6 inches between plants. Include drainage holes to prevent soggy soil, which aloes despise.
Group pots and planters together aesthetically by coordinating planter colors and materials. Elevate them on plant stands at varying heights for visual interest. Arrange them to highlight each aloe vera’s unique shape and form.
Maintaining Proper Spacing Over Time
As your aloe vera plants mature and expand, you may need to thin or transplant them to maintain proper spacing. Watch for signs of overcrowding like yellowing lower leaves, thinning growth and flopping stems.
Here are some tips for preserving adequate spacing over time:
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Prune old leaves and stems regularly to contain plant size.
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Pluck baby aloe vera pups to control spread.
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Transplant extras to new locations or pots.
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Divide congested aloe vera clumps into separate plants.
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Remove inner growth to open up the plant’s center.
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Rejuvenate overgrown plants by cutting back leaves by half.
With regular care and attentiveness, you can maintain the ideal spacing as your aloe vera plants grow. This will reward you with a gorgeous, lush aloe garden!
Troubleshooting Common Aloe Vera Spacing Issues
Sometimes aloe vera plants become overgrown or crowded despite your best spacing efforts. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Problem: Lower leaves are yellowing or dying from lack of sunlight.
Solution: Prune back outer growth to allow light penetration. Remove pups/offsets to reduce density.
Problem: Plants are growing lanky and floppy from shading each other.
Solution: Thin inner growth to open up centers. Stake tall plants for support if needed.
Problem: Soil stays soggy from lack of air movement.
Solution: Space plants further apart to improve air circulation. Remove excess growth.
Problem: New pups are crowding adult plants.
Solution: Transplant pups to new pots or garden area. Cease fertilizing to slow growth.
With some troubleshooting adjustments, you can get an overcrowded aloe vera garden back on track!
Key Tips for Proper Aloe Vera Spacing
To recap, here are some key spacing tips for gorgeous, healthy aloe vera plants:
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Research species size to determine ideal spacing.
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Allow more spacing than you think necessary.
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Space according to expected mature width.
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Use rectangular or triangular spacing patterns.
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Maximize sun exposure with smart plant placement.
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Choose wide, shallow containers.
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Monitor for signs of overcrowding over time.
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Prune, thin and transplant to maintain spacing.
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Address common crowding issues as needed.
Proper spacing may take a bit of time and attention, but the reward will be fabulous aloe vera plants you can enjoy for years to come. So be sure to give your aloe babies the personal space they need to thrive both indoors and out!
THE BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA
Aloe Vera, or Aloe barbadensis, has many well-known uses for human health. For example, it is used to soothe skin ailments like sunburns, burns, dermatitis, acne, and eczema. Aloe also helps to reduce scars, prevent or heal razor burn, and serves as a nourishing hair treatment. It can also be used to heal from within, consumed as a beverage to boost hydration, increase digestion, and cleanse. Aloe is also a key ingredient in homemade hand sanitizer!
I plan to write a more in-depth post about the natural (human) health applications of aloe vera in the future. Today’s post is more about uses in the garden, but I know many of you are curious about aloe and skin care, so I will just briefly mention a few things now…
I personally use fresh aloe on my face almost daily, along with homemade calendula oil as my moisturizer. Even though I am in my 30’s, I struggle with cystic acne scars and occasional breakouts – side effects of my Type 1 Diabetes and associated blood sugar and/or hormone swings. While aloe doesn’t eliminate all of these things, it does noticeably help! I know many other people who do the same, for scars, eczema, or just because. I also use it after shaving.
To do this, it is as easy as keeping a fresh whole leaf of aloe in the fridge, cutting off a thin slice each day as needed, squishing it around to extract the gel, and rubbing it on! For those who don’t have access to fresh homegrown aloe, check out this USDA organic, preservative-free aloe.
When you first cut into a leaf of aloe vera, it will expel a yellow goo. This is the leaf’s latex, which is bitter and has an off-putting odor. It also has a laxative effect. This is not the stuff you want to put on your skin, or ever consume!
Wash the yellow latex away and let the plant finish seeping. It won’t do that more than once, so your following cuts will be nice and fresh, and shouldn’t smell bad. Once the latex is gone, the inner gel is totally safe to consume. Many people enjoy it on its own, or adding it to water, juice, or smoothies. Before we grew our own, we took a shot of this organic aloe juice every day!
Note that I do not cut open and expose the gel from the entire leaf at one time. Aloe quickly ferments and loses some of its beneficial properties when exposed to air, unless some type of preservative is added. Hence why I only cut and use a little slice at a time, keeping the rest in tact. You’ll see in the video, around minute 9!
Something else worth mentioning is that while aloe vera does heal and help your skin retain moisture, it also tightens skin and can feel drying for some. For my relatively oily skin, I don’t find it overly drying on its own. However, this might not be the case for everyone. For some skin types, it may be best to use aloe vera as a supplement to another moisturizer, or to be used less frequently than I do.
Also, I was surprised to recently learn that some people are quite allergic to aloe! So if you aren’t accustomed to using it, I suggest doing a small test patch somewhere before slathering up.
HOW TO GROW ALOE VERA
Aloe vera is an easy-to-grow plant both outdoors or in containers inside! Apparently, it is also pretty easy to grow aloe from seed, though we never have. Instead, we’ve obtained started plants from our local nursery. Aloe barbadensis shouldn’t be hard to find. I even see it at Home Depot frequently!
An established aloe vera plant will often put off “pups” – baby plants growing from under and around it. Those can be separated to establish more new plants too! If you need to separate a pup from its mother that is growing in the ground, gently loosen and push away soil around it, then gently dig down and pull the pup away from as deep as possible. The idea is to try to keep some of its roots in tact, and not just break it off at the soil line. For potted plants, it may be easiest to take the whole family out of the pot and gently pull them apart instead.
Aloe Vera Care Guide! // Garden Answer
FAQ
How far apart should aloe vera plants be planted?
Where’s the best place to put an aloe vera plant in your house?
How to make your aloe plant thrive?
How do I make my aloe vera plant beautiful?
Where should aloe vera be planted?
Aloe Vera plants prefer a location with direct sun. If you live in an area with limited sunlight, you can place your plant in front of a south-facing window. If you don’t have a lot of light, and your plant’s leaves are limpy, get a grow light.
How do you grow aloe vera indoors?
Place the plant in the ground, making sure the crown is even with existing soil. Backfill the hole with soil so the roots are covered. Water the plant thoroughly, letting it drain completely before re-watering. Aloe vera is a low-maintenance houseplant you can grow indoors year-round.
How do you grow aloe vera in a pot?
Place the plant in the center of the pot. Backfill with soil to cover the roots. Water the plant, making sure it fully drains through and doesn’t leave any standing water. The key to growing healthy aloe vera in your garden is making sure it is in the right environment. Mimic aloe vera’s native environment with well-draining sandy or rocky soil.
How do you propagate Aloe?
Propagating Aloe Plants is super easy through a method called division. Just cut or break off one of the plants and pot it in the soil. Ideally, the rhizome that you are separating should already have some roots, but even if it doesn’t, it’s not that important, it will grow them. You can see how I’m propagating Aloe in my video below.