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Popular as a houseplant, aloe vera is good for what ails you. For example, many people use aloe vera gel made from aloe leaves to treat sunburn, mild burns, and skin irritations.
Aloe plants, scientifically known as aloe barbadensis, are found in arid deserts and lush tropical jungles alike. They range in height from only a few inches tall to more than 5 feet in length and width.
Aloe vera, or medicinal aloe, as it is commonly called, has been used medicinally for thousands of years by ancient civilizations around the world, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese. Many people of different cultures still use aloe vera to treat various skin irritations.
Here’s how to grow and take care of an aloe plant so you can reap all its benefits year-round.
Aloe plants are becoming increasingly popular for home gardens thanks to their ease of care, versatility, and variety of benefits. However, many aloe plant owners make the mistake of planting their aloes too close together. Proper spacing is absolutely key to ensuring your aloe plants grow to their full potential and remain healthy and beautiful. In this article, I’ll explain why aloe plant spacing matters so much, provide tips on ideal aloe plant spacing, and share suggestions for maintaining proper spacing in your aloe garden.
Why Proper Aloe Plant Spacing Matters
Spacing your aloe plants too closely together can lead to a number of issues that will inhibit growth and plant health
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Stunted growth: Aloe plants placed too near each other will be forced to compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. This leads to stunted growth as the plants are unable to properly develop.
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Increased disease/pests Densely planted aloes tend to experience more problems with diseases and pests. The moist crowded environment is ideal for the spread of fungal diseases. Pests also thrive when plants are crowded.
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Difficult maintenance: Trying to prune, weed, or care for overcrowded aloe plants can be challenging. Leaves and offshoots become tangled, and you won’t have room to access each plant properly.
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Weakened plants With limited access to resources, crowded aloe plants will be weaker and less resilient. They become more vulnerable to environmental stresses.
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Smaller yields: Don’t expect your aloes to produce a good crop of leaves for gel/juice harvesting if they are planted too densely.
As you can see, improper aloe plant spacing really works against you if your goal is a thriving aloe garden!
How Much Space Between Aloe Plants?
The exact aloe plant spacing you need will vary slightly depending on the specific variety you are growing. However, there are some general aloe plant spacing guidelines you can follow:
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Large aloe varieties (like Aloe vera): At least 2-3 feet between plants.
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Medium aloe varieties (like Aloe arborescens): At least 1-2 feet between plants.
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Small aloe varieties (like Aloe brevifolia): At least 6-12 inches between plants.
These distances are recommended for outdoor aloe gardens. If planting aloes in containers, make sure the container is large enough to accommodate each plant’s mature size. For example, a 3-gallon pot could hold one medium aloe plant.
When in doubt, give your aloe more space than you think it needs! A slight bit of overspacing is better than planting too densely.
Tips for Proper Aloe Plant Spacing
Follow these tips to ensure proper spacing when first planting and as your aloe garden matures:
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Clearly mark out planting sites using stakes and string prior to digging holes or planting. Measure and space accordingly.
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For in-ground gardens, dig wide, shallow holes spaced properly apart before placing plants.
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Group varieties with similar growth habits together to make spacing easier.
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For potted aloes, choose containers that allow ample room for growth or limit to 1-2 plants per large container.
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As plants grow, divide and transplant any that are encroaching on their neighbors.
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Remove lower leaves and side rosettes as needed to keep growth contained.
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Thin flowering stalks to limit spread.
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Propagate and transplant pups to prevent overcrowding around the parent plant.
Maintaining Optimal Aloe Plant Spacing
Proper aloe plant spacing doesn’t stop after the initial planting. You’ll need to monitor your aloe garden and make adjustments as needed:
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Inspect frequently and look for signs of overcrowding such as stunted growth.
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Divide rootbound plants and re-plant divisions with proper spacing.
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Transplant pups and offsets to prevent crowding around parent plants.
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Prune leaves and side rosettes to contain growth.
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Remove lower leaves as the plant matures to prevent lateral spread.
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Clear weeds/debris from the garden regularly to eliminate competition.
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Avoid over-fertilization, which can cause fast, leggy growth.
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Monitor for pests and disease and treat promptly when found.
With a little vigilance, you can maintain the ideal spacing in your aloe garden. Your plants will thank you!
Common Aloe Plant Spacing Questions
Can I plant different aloe varieties closely together?
It’s best to plant aloe varieties with similar growth habits together and maintain the recommended spacing between them. Don’t mix fast-growing and slow-growing varieties in close quarters.
How close can aloe plants be to other plants besides aloes?
Leave at least 12-18 inches between aloe plants and other garden plants. Less competitive, low-growing plants make the best aloe companions.
Should I space pups and parent plants differently?
Plant pups/offsets at the proper spacing for adult plants right away. Don’t assume they can be planted closer together because they are younger/smaller.
What about planting aloes in containers?
Choose containers that allow for adequate spacing between plants based on their mature sizes. Or limit to 1-2 plants per pot with larger containers.
One of the most common aloe plant care mistakes is improper spacing. Following the guidelines in this article will help ensure your aloe plants have the space they need to grow strong and remain healthy. Pay close attention to spacing at planting time, but don’t neglect maintenance pruning and thinning as your aloe garden matures. With diligent spacing practices, you’ll be rewarded with vigorous, pest-free aloe plants for years to come.
Common Issues with Aloe Vera Plants
Although aloe vera plants are easy to maintain, they are susceptible to disease, pests, and other problems.
Aloe vera plants originated in desert-like environments where the weather was hot and the soil was sandy. Consequently, these plants thrive in hot, dry climates and have low over-watering tolerance.
Excess water causes an aloe plant’s leaves to turn brown or yellow. They often feel a little mushy and may develop a slightly rotten smell. When you lift the plant out of its container, you may see the roots starting to blacken.
If your plant has been overwatered and is failing to thrive, you may be able to nurse it back to health. First, let the soil dry out. Then, take a look at the roots. Cut away any that appear to have rotted. Next, prune any yellow or brown growth, leaving only healthy-looking green leaves. Finally, repot your plant in well-draining soil.
Aloe vera plants can grow in low light conditions but prefer bright, indirect sunlight. If denied an adequate light source, the plant will start to sage, and the leaves will crease. Its lovely natural rosette will start to appear wobbly.
If your aloe vera plant is not getting enough light, it will start to stretch out and become leggy. This is called etiolation, and it causes the leaves to lose their vibrant green color and become pale. The plant will also start to produce fewer offsets.
Is your aloe vera plant looking droopy? A sunnier location may be the solution. Do not place your aloe vera plant in direct sun, as it can also cause the plant to burn.
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12 provide the best natural environment for aloe vera plant care. Gardeners in these locations should stop watering the plant during winter and resume when the growing seasons start again.
Bring aloe vera plants inside before the first frost if you live in a colder climate. Aloe vera can die if temperatures stay below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mealybugs, spider mites, and snout beetles all love a taste of the aloe plant. If you notice pest damage, you can wash your plant’s leaves and dust them with a powdered fungicide. Diseases such as aloe rust, sooty mold, and basal stem rot can also damage an aloe plant. Talk to a plant health expert or pest control professional about keeping your home free of damaging insects.
Aloe plants are easy to care for and make a great addition to any home. Here are our recommendations on how to take care of your aloe plant:
- Allow the soil in the pot to dry out before watering it again.
- Water only when the leaves show signs of wilting or if the soil is dry at least 1 inch below the surface.
- Check that your plant has adequate light—too much or too little will cause problems with growth, health, and coloration—and adjust as needed for best results.
How to Plant or Repot an Aloe Plant
To plant or repot an aloe plant, take the following steps:
- Start by finding a pot that is wide and shallow with drainage holes.
- Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix, and make a small hole in the center.
- Gently remove the plant from its current pot, and place it in the new one.
- Water the plant deeply, and allow it to drain before putting it in a sunny spot.
Aloe Vera Care Guide! // Garden Answer
FAQ
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