Aloe vera plants are one of the commonly used plants, mainly due to the medicinal properties that they have. Other than this, these plants are perfect for indoor and outdoor decorations. Keeping this plant is easy due to which people love to plant it in their gardens. Aloe vera is a succulent plant and has the genus Aloe, with fleshy green leaves due to its succulent nature.
This plant is considered the fastest growing among the list of succulent plants, but the group of succulent plants grows slowly compared to the other plants.
Therefore, proper care and the plant’s growth helps in the optimum growth and development of the plant.
The Growth Rate of the Aloe Vera Plant
The growth of the aloe Vera is highly dependent on external conditions and the growth and health of the plant. Its new leaves develop within a month or so, and you can see visible indicators of the plant’s growth.
On the other hand, the increase in the size of the leaves can be seen in between four months or even more than that. One of the exciting facts of the plant is that the indoor aloe vera plant takes four years or more than that to develop into a plant fully.
The ideal size of the leaves within this time of the growth rate is between 20 to 25 cm or 8 to 10 inches.
So, if you also have an aloe vera plant in your garden, do not get worried about its growth rate. Several years will be required for its proper growth, and you have to wait for this time.
What Factors Influence the Growth of the Aloe Vera Plant
Like other plants, the growth of the aloe vera plant also depends on multiple factors that cannot be denied. The following are the list of some significant factors that decide the growth of the aloe vera plant:
Growing Conditions:
The growing conditions highly decide the growth rate and the health of the aloe vera plant. Optimum growth conditions will help in the better development and the health of the plant.
Aloe vera care is highly essential to ensure that the plant has the right amount of energy to grow properly.
As a gardener or the caretaker of the plant, you must consider the following growth conditions:
- Growing container
Aloe vera plant requires a lot of space to grow its roots deep in the soil. Therefore clay pot with drainage holes will function best. In addition, it will allow the easy spread of the roots.
- Light
It grows best in direct sunlight, while the artificial grow lights can also work.
- Watering
As a caretaker, you need to make sure that the plant is being watered thoroughly. Also, the excess water must be allowed to drain, and then the soil must be dried out, especially before watering the plant again.
- Temperature
The optimum temperature of the plant’s growth is 55 – 80 F.
- Potting soil
The potting mixture must be well-draining containing the coarse sand in it.
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The Growth rate of Aloe Vera Indoors and Outdoors:
The location of the plant’s growth also plays a significant role in deciding the growth rate of the plant.
Aloe vera plants show a slower growth rate indoors as compared to outdoor. It can be due to the light and eh temperature differences.
Growth Stage:
Different growth stages require different time limit for the development of the plant. The active growth stage of the plant is shown in the winters and the spring season, and hence it shows faster growth here.
In contrast, it stays in the resting mode during winters. Therefore, in this season, the plant shows little or no growth.
The Health of the Plant:
The damaged aloe vera plant does not grow well and requires a lot of time for growth. Some of the commonly occurring issues that can impact the plant’s health include diseases, pests, and harsh growth conditions. Aloe vera plant care is highly essential to keep the plant safe from these pests.
Measures for the Rapid Growth of a New Aloe Vera Plant
Preparing a new aloe plant requires certain environmental situations that must be kept in mind. The situations dictated below will help the plant grow fast:
Potting Soil:
A well-draining potting soil is the requirement of the aloe vera plant and highly contributes to optimized and proper growth. Make sure that you do not overwater the plant. Otherwise, the roots might have to suffer, causing stunt growth.
Cactus potting mixture will help here, and adding the coarse sand will also decrease the risk to overwater the plant. However, overwatering can cause root rot and damage to the entire plant as well.
Utilizing Banana Peels:
It is one of the widely accepted techniques that work best for the fast growth of the plant. Believe me. It will give your aloe vera an extra boost. You have to bury the banana peel where you are about to grow the aloe vera plant.
Banana peels are an additional potassium source and help the plant develop resistance against pests with perfect nutrition.
Growth Container of Aloe Vera:
A suitable container highly contributes to the growth of the aloe vera plant quickly. Two pots that will serve as the best container are the clay pot or the terracotta pot.
The plant’s size must be three times the size of the aloe vera’s root ball, and the pot must have drainage holes. Consideration of these factors contributes to the perfect growth container.
Root Growth Hacks:
This is the life-saving hack of your aloe vera plant and will help give your plant a boost. Using the rooting hormone powder will help in the motivation of the root’s growth. Also, the plant must be watered in 2 to 3 weeks, as this will help develop an extensive root’s network.
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Factors to be Considered for the Proper Care of the Plant
The development of the mature aloe vera plant takes 2 to 3 hours to develop correctly, but the growing conditions and the plant’s care can fluctuate the time limit. The answers to how to take care of an aloe vera plant are being provided in this guide.
Here is the list of the factors that you must not ignore while the plant’s care and they will contribute to better growth:
Repotting:
You must ensure that the container of the aloe vera plant is big enough to provide the roots with easy to grow space. So, you are intended to choose a pot that is three times the size of the root’s ball.
Light:
Six hours of direct light per day is perfect for helping the plant grow fast. However, make sure that the light is not harsh enough to damage the plant.
Temperature
You must make sure that the temperature is neither hot nor cold than 55 – 80 F.
Watering:
- Proper watering is directly proportional to the plant’s growth. So, make sure that you water the plant as per its requirements.
- You must also make sure that your plant is not overcrowded (growth of the baby plants from the mother plants). The increase in the aloe vera plants enhances the risk of pests attack.
- Fertilizers can help in sustaining the healthy growth and the optimum development of the aloe vera plant. Low nitrogen fertilizers will highly help, but make sure that fertilizer must not be applied in winters. April – September are the best months for active growth.
Final Thoughts:
On a concluding note, the growth of the aloe vera plant depends on multiple factors that cannot be ignored. Proper care and growing conditions will help the plant to grow fast. Balanced growth conditions will lead to perfect growth without any issues.
So, if you love your garden’s aloe vera, keep an eye on these factors and give your plant a boost to grow optimally. This guide will be beneficial for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions about How Fast Does Aloe Vera Grow
How long does Aloe Vera Gel Last?
The aloe vera gel is not long-lasting and stays fresh within ten days. Therefore, it would be best to store the freshly extracted gel in your refrigerator and stay fresh for ten days. It will work best to moisturize your skin or to treat sunburn.
How to Grow Aloe Vera from Leaf?
a. Cut a leaf from a mature aloe vera plant.
b. It must be 8cm long and place that leaf in a warm place to let the film form over it.
c. Place the cactus in the soil and keep caring for it properly.
d. Your aloe vera plant will start showing growth in four months.
How to take care of an Aloe Plant?
a. Water the plant profoundly but not regularly.
b. Cut the brown tips of the plant.
c. Periodic sunlight must be provided to the plant for protecting it from direct sunlight.
d. Use fertilizers for proper growth.
How much time does the aloe vera plant require to reach maturity?
The plant’s total time to reach maturity is between 3 to 4 years indoors. The size of the leaves will be 8 to 10 inches.
What tips will boost up the plant’s growth?
a. Try to keep the plant outdoor whenever possible.
b. Keep monitoring and analyzing to prevent pests.
c. Prevention of overcrowding
d. More significant space for growth must be provided by repotting
e. Choose natural fertilizers
f. Use rooting hormones for the stimulation of growth.
