The hardy and low-maintenance Aloe Vera is a total favorite for indoor gardeners. Honestly, once you have one, you’ll probably want a whole row of them on your windowsill! The great news is that Aloe is incredibly easy to propagate. You’ve got a few different options to choose from, and none of them require a green thumb or a ton of effort.
Ways to Propagate Your Aloe Vera
This easy-going succulent doesn’t put up much of a fight when it comes to making babies. You can choose the method that works best for you:
- Growing from seeds
- Using leaf or stem cuttings
- Separating “pups” (offshoots)
Sowing Aloe Vera Seeds
If you want to start from scratch, spring is the absolute best time to sow your seeds. The days are getting longer and warmer, which Aloe loves. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by filling some small starter pots with a high-quality seed-starting mix or cactus soil.
- Sprinkle your seeds onto the surface.
- Cover them with just a very thin dusting of soil—don’t bury them too deep!
- Give them a gentle misting with a spray bottle.
- Place the pots in a warm, bright spot (but out of harsh, direct sunlight).
- To create those tropical vibes they love, cover the pots with some plastic wrap to trap humidity.
- Keep the soil damp but never soggy; too much water is a one-way ticket to root rot.
- Make sure to lift the plastic wrap daily to let in fresh air and prevent mold.
Propagating from Cuttings
You can take cuttings pretty much any time of year, though spring is still the “sweet spot.” Using a sharp, clean knife, slice off a side shoot from a mature plant. Let the cutting sit out for a few days in a dry spot so the cut end can “callous” over—this prevents it from rotting once it hits the dirt. Then, tuck the cutting about an inch deep into sandy potting soil and press it down firmly. If it’s a big cutting, use a small stake to keep it from toppling over. Hold off on watering until you see signs of growth, which means roots have formed! Once you see roots peeking out of the drainage holes, it’s ready for a bigger home.
Another cool trick is leaf cuttings. Snip off a healthy leaf and cut it into 2-inch sections. Let them dry out for a few days, then stick them vertically into sandy cactus mix. Keep them in a warm, bright place and water very sparingly. In a few weeks, they should root and start growing into brand-new plants.
Propagating via “Pups” (Offshoots)
This is by far the easiest way to grow your collection. You’ll notice tiny baby Aloes, called “pups,” sprouting up around the base of the mother plant. These little guys usually already have their own root systems! Once they’re about 2 inches tall, you can gently separate them from the main plant. Let the pups dry out for a day or two, then pot them up in sandy cactus soil. Pro tip: putting them in a mini-greenhouse for a few days helps them recover from the “surgery” and establish strong new roots.
