Succulent plants, particularly cacti and aloe vera, are well-known for their slow growth; however, aloe vera is not as slow as some other succulents.
There are several reasons why aloe vera plants (and succulents in general) are well regarded.
Not only do they look good on your kitchen counter, but they also have many properties for medicinal purposes.
You’ve heard it all before regarding aloe vera and how wonderful it is for sunburn and other skin issues, and thus maintaining an aloe vera plant in your kitchen or patio is never a bad idea.
With regard to growth rates, aloe vera will take about three to four years to fully mature, and when they are fully mature, their leaves will reach approximately eight to ten inches long.
Another good reason to maintain an aloe vera plant in your home is that it is a low-maintenance plant.
In Fact: you only need to water it sometimes to keep it healthy, but you don’t need to water it every day because that isn’t good for the plant and you could damage it.
What Is an Aloe Vera?
Part of the succulent family, the aloe vera plant has about 500 species.
Known as the wonder plant, it can be found growing naturally in tropical, subtropical, and dry climates around the world.
It offers many health benefits and has short leaves containing a gel-like substance that offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and skin benefits.
It not only heals a variety of skin conditions, including cuts and burns but also speeds the healing process well beyond the normal rate.
If you have ever asked yourself, how fast does aloe vera grow? The simple answer is three to four years in which you will be able to enjoy the plant fully!
However, that does not mean there will not be any growth at all in those three to four years. After several months of planting, you should be able to see growth in the form of new leaves!
Be patient! While aloe vera plants do not take as long as cacti and some other succulents, it is still advised that you give them that time in order to experience them to their fullest, grown state.
What Can You Do to Speed up the Growth of an Aloe Vera?
As you may gather, the first rule of thumb for growing your aloe vera is to make sure it has what it needs, and you put it in a location that will allow it to grow properly.
Simply because aloe vera is slow-growing doesn’t mean you can simply put it down on your countertop and forget about it.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to make sure your aloe vera grows properly.
Choose a Potting Medium That Is Fast-draining
The roots of the aloe vera need to always be well-draining, so over-watering is a big no-no.
Well draining soil will ensure that does not happen, so you don’t want to purchase a potting medium that holds water.
In fact, this is true for all succulents, not just aloe vera.
Always Use the Right Type of Pot
When choosing a pot for your aloe vera, choose clay or terracotta, but never plastic.
Why?
You’ll want something porous, so excess moisture is absorbed, and it prevents the roots from rotting.
And naturally, you will also want a pot with draining holes at the bottom, so that any excess water is released when you water the plant.
Keep the Plant at the Right Temperature
The best temperature range for your aloe vera plant is between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If it dips below 55 degrees, it is too cold for the plant to survive; remember that this is a tropical plant.
If it does go above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you will likely dry to the plant out too much because the plant will absorb too much water.
Never Overwater the Plant
This is important because an aloe vera plant does not need a lot of water.
You should water the plant thoroughly every one to two weeks, let it drain, then pour out the excess water from your saucer.
In winter months, you can cut back to every three to four weeks but always try to wait until the soil is dry before you water it again, regardless of how much time has passed after the last watering.
Never Give It Too Much or Too Little Direct Sunlight
The ideal light for your aloe vera plant will be about six to seven hours of partial direct sunlight, or even less.
If you see brown spots or apparently scorched leaves, you’ll want to cut down those hours because they are getting too much light.
Also, make sure you rotate the pot every once in a while so that all sides of the plant will get an equal amount of light.
Bonus Tip
If you take care of your aloe vera plant, and it is set up properly, it will grow faster.
However, don’t expect an aloe vera plant to grow as fast as non-succulent plants, as that is never going to happen.
You may be able to speed it up just a touch, if you cared for your plant properly from day one.
Should You Use a Fertilizer for Speedy Growth?
Generally, you don’t need to fertilize succulents, but you can apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer to your aloe vera if it appears to be growing slowly.
Then only fertilize it during it’s growing season, at half strength only every six to eight weeks.
And fertilize it before watering, and draining the plant so no chemical burns will form on the aloe.
Final Thoughts
In the end, if you want healthy aloe vera plants, there are other things that you can do.
Keep watch for bugs and pests, repot the plant once it begins to become crowded, and sometimes you can use a natural fertilizer, such as mixing chopped-up banana peel into the dirt.
Some of the things used to care for aloe vera plants are things that would be used to care for any plant, so it is much simpler than you think.