Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It’s a popular succulent to grow because of it’s interesting shape and medicinal qualities. Some varieties are short, others are quite tall, and they all tend to have thick, fleshy, spiked leaves. The leaves are lanceolate, with a serrated margin and a sharp tip. Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its healing and health benefits. It is known to be a natural remedy for skin conditions like burns, eczema, psoriasis and sunburns. Part of caring for it is knowing when to prune aloe vera. For the most part, this plant doesn’t need trimming, but there are some circumstances in which you’d want to prune it.
When To Prune Aloe Vera
The best time to prune aloe plants is after its growing and flowering season has ended. This usually occurs in late summer or early autumn when the plant is dormant. Trimming aloe during this time helps to promote healthy new growth when the weather begins to warm up again. Avoid pruning aloe in the middle of winter when it is not actively growing, as this can be damaging to the plant. Removing any dead, damaged, or overcrowded leaves will help to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth. Pruning aloe plants during their dormant season is a great way to help keep them looking their best.
How To Prune Aloe Vera
When it comes to pruning aloe vera, less is more. Many aloe growers don’t actually prune their plants at all, save to remove the occasional dead leaf. If you are going to trim your aloe, don’t trim it back too severely. If you feel strongly compelled to prune your aloe vera plant, follow these steps:
- Locate the baby aloe vera pups growing around the base of the main plant, these are often called offsets.
- Cut off the offsets from the main plant with a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. These pups can be propagated into new aloe plants!
- Remove any dead, yellowing, or browning leaves from the plant.
- Cut the leaves off at the base of the plant where they meet the stem.
- Trim away any large leaves that are blocking the light from reaching the inner parts of the plant.
- Prune off any leaves that are growing in an unnatural direction.
- Dispose of the pruned leaves and pups away from the main plant to avoid the spread of any diseases.
Aftercare
There are some steps you should take to care for your aloe plant after you’ve trimmed it. Pruning aloe vera, or any plant for that matter, takes a toll on it. Place the pruned Aloe Vera plant in a well-lit location. Make sure the location receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Water the Aloe Vera plant immediately after pruning and once every two to three weeks. Monitor the soil moisture level of the Aloe Vera plant. Allow the soil to dry between watering and adjust the watering frequency accordingly.
Fertilize the Aloe Vera plant every two to three months with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the correct amount of fertilizer to apply. Inspect the Aloe Vera plant for pests and diseases regularly. Remove any pests or diseased foliage as soon as it is spotted.