Though transplanting can make your plant thrive, if you have no time to do it. So, here’s how to grow aloe vera bigger without repotting.
As we know most succulents are slow growers, the same is not always true for Aloe barbadensis Mill. In fact, it can grow quite quickly under the right conditions. Check out how to grow aloe vera bigger without repotting.
How to Grow Aloe Vera Bigger Without Repotting
Though most aloe vera plants sometimes need a bigger pot to grow fuller, you can try these techniques listed below to get even better results. Check them out below.
1. More Sunlight (and some shade)
This is the first and foremost thing to ensure when growing an aloe vera. When you don’t want to repot, you would want to leave your plant out in the sun. Now, what does that mean? Putting your aloe vera near a south-facing window covered by a sheer curtain can work wonders to make your plant fuller. A west-facing window can also do the trick.
However, if you do not have windows facing these directions, no worries! Invest in grow lights and put your plant under them for at least 16 hours daily.
Also, don’t forget to rotate the pot every few weeks! This ensures that all sides of your aloe vera get an equal share of sunlight, and the plant grows fuller and straighter instead of leaning awkwardly to one side.
2. A Sandy Soil Mix
The soil is of utmost importance when it comes to growing succulents. However, when you want to grow your aloe vera bigger, you must be particular about having a sandy soil mix. This type of soil will allow for proper drainage, ensuring that the roots don’t stay wet.
One soil mix that you could try using includes 1/3 parts coarse sand, 1/3 parts perlite, and 1/3 parts quality potting soil. If you want to make things easier for yourself, you could also mix in half and half parts of very coarse sand and a quality potting mix.
3. Remove Weeds
Oftentimes, weeds growing around your main aloe vera plant can hinder its growth, as they would be taking in nutrients from the same soil that is supposed to sustain your plant.
This is why it is important to monitor your aloe vera plant closely and make it a routine to pull away all unwanted weeds every once in a while, so that your aloe keeps getting fuller.
4. Prune Away a Few Outer Leaves
Pruning a succulent may sound surprising. However, it is one of the best ways to ensure that your plant is pouring enough energy into putting out new growth. With sharp, clean, and sterilized gardening scissors, cut each outer leaf at a 45-degree angle, especially the ones that may be showing slightly yellow or browning tips.
If you are an aloe vera connoisseur, you would know what a difference pruning makes to the plant! Though you can prune at any time, doing it every month or every 6 weeks during the active growing season is best.
5. When Feeding, Less is More
Aloe vera is not a heavy feeder, and overfertilizations, especially when you’re trying to make the plant grow bigger, can result in severe root burn. This is because aloe vera is often adapted to growing in sandy soils that are poor in nutrients.
If you do want to fertilize, use organic ingredients like eggshells or banana peels, which can be great sources of calcium and potassium, respectively, among others. When using peels, dry them out first and then pulverize them before mixing them into the soil. Using wet ingredients will cause unwanted bacteria, mold, or fungi growth and ultimately, rot.
6. Keep the Pups
If your plant has been doing well, you would know it when you see a lot of pups growing. Now, we generally tend to separate them from the main plant and grow them separately. However, the best way to give an illusion of a bigger, fuller aloe vera plant is to let the pups grow right beside the mother plant.
Note: You can separate the pups if you feel that the pot is too overcrowded or there has been a lack of growth for a few weeks.
7. Monitor for Mealy Bugs
Aloe vera is not often bothered by pests, which is already advantageous to bigger growth. But pests can damage plants quite quickly if there’s ever an infestation. Thus, you should be on the lookout for mealybugs and use neem oil or coffee grounds to deter these pests.
You can simply sprinkle a teaspoon or a tablespoon of coffee grounds lightly over the topsoil of your pot.
8. Benign Neglect is the Key
Being a succulent, you already know that aloe vera will thrive under neglect. So, when trying out all of the above tips, you should be careful not to give the plant too much love! Instead, be patient and let your specimen do its thing, and you will see fuller growth in no time!
And here’s another important thing—water wisely! Make sure you allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Giving your aloe too much water too often can suffocate the roots and stunt their growth badly, even if everything else is perfect.
Executing all of the aforementioned tips without proper knowledge and research is crucial to achieving your goal. If you do try them, let us know how big your aloe vera got in the comments below!
