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Repotting aloe vera becomes necessary for a few reasons, especially when your plant starts to outgrow its pot. It can also be done when you have a baby aloe plant growing alongside the original. Referred to as a pup, this wee little aloe can be separated and repotted in its own container. Aloe plants require repotting anywhere from every three to five years or so. I often will save two or three houseplants to repot at the same time while I have my soil out and the table covered. In this article, I’ll explain how to repot an aloe plant—and a pup if you have one.
Aloe was among my first houseplants when I got my first apartment. Having watched aloe vera gel applied to friends’ cuts and burns as a kid, I think it probably seemed like grownup pick that everyone should have in their home. Back then I didn’t have as much knowledge about what houseplants did and didn’t need to survive. I’ve become better at becoming attuned to a houseplant’s needs—though that doesn’t mean there isn’t the odd casualty. Spring is a good time of year to repot an aloe (and remove an aloe vera pup), when the plant is actively growing.
Why repot an aloe plant?
There are a few reasons to repot any houseplant:
- Your plant has outgrown its current pot and needs a bigger one.
- The aloe has become too top-heavy for its current pot.
- The plant is in a pot without a drainage hole and you want to revive it.
- The soil the plant came with is compacted and like dust, so you want to repot it in fresh potting soil.
- You want your plant to be displayed in a more attractive pot than the plastic one it came in.
- Your plant has a baby plant attached, so you’d like to separate the two.
- Garden gloves (though I find I have more dexterity repotting indoors with my bare hands)
The container you choose to repot in is important. I see so many gorgeous pots without holes. These can be used as a cache pot if you are hiding the plastic pot inside. But if you are transferring an aloe out of its plastic pot, drainage is important.
Not repotting a pot-bound aloe can cause the leaves to become leggy. They may start to wilt and look poorly. Sad aloe leaves can also be caused by overwatering the plant. Sometimes a little soil refresh is what your houseplant needs to thrive.
What you need for repotting aloe vera
Repotting an aloe plant is pretty easy. When I set up my repotting station, I like to try and repot other houseplants at the same time. You just need the following materials:
- Well-draining potting soil. I recommend a potting soil formulated for succulents or cacti
- Small trowel (when I’m doing this indoors, I head to my kitchen for a small measuring cup and/or a big spoon
- A sturdy pot with a drainage hole
- Newspaper to cover your repotting surface
- Gardening gloves (if you want to protect your hands)
- Compost bag for old potting soil and dead leaves
When choosing a pot, make sure it has one or more drainage holes (and a saucer to go underneath to catch excess water). Terracotta is a good pot material because it’s porous. It dries out well between watering. You can also use ceramic pots, just make sure there is a hole. Make sure your pot accommodates the root ball of your aloe plant, with room for it to grow.
For the soil, you can buy something that’s been pre-mixed, like succulent soil, as mentioned above. You could also gather your own ingredients, like course sand and perlite (which provides aeration), to mix together your own from a recipe.
Repotting aloe vera plants
To repot your aloe, remove the plant from its pot. Gently remove the old soil from the roots.
Fill the bottom of the pot with your succulent potting mix. You may want to partially cover the hole at the bottom so that the soil doesn’t come out. You could use a little piece of mesh or coconut coir, or even a piece of paper towel. I usually just place the pot on its saucer and avoid picking it up until the new plant has become established.
Place your plant inside the pot, with the stem in the center, and start adding fresh soil around the outer edges of the root system. Cover the roots, but make sure the bottom leaves remain above the soil.
Removing and replanting aloe pups
Aloes are very easy to propagate because they develop little plant babies or offshoots called pups. These can be separated from the mother plant and potted up as a whole new houseplant. When you remove the main plant from the pot, there are a couple of ways to remove a pup. You can either gently tear it away, making sure it keeps its own roots. Or, you can use a sharp knife to cut it away from the parent plant. If you cut the offshoot away, leave it out in indirect light until it forms a callus, before replanting.
Small pots are good for pups. Plant it up as you would the parent plant.
Post-repotting aloe vera plant care
Place your repotted aloe vera houseplant in a spot that gets bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can damage aloe leaves, giving them a sunburn. Give your aloe plant a few days to adjust to its new pot before watering. This can help to minimize transplant shock. Do not leave your plant sitting in soggy soil. Overwatering (and lack of drainage holes) can lead to root rot.
Carol Maljak says
how do you recognize a “pup”? is that a straight stalk growing out of the middle of the plant?
Tara Nolan says
Hi Carol, No, the straight stalk is new growth on the existing plant. Pups grow beside the main plant and look like miniature versions of the existing plant.