When to Transplant Aloe Plants
One of the many things that make aloes such good houseplants is that they tend to like a little overcrowding. If your plant is getting big for its container, moving it isn’t urgent. It will get rootbound eventually, however, so potting it up is a good idea. Repotting an aloe is also important if it’s starting to develop pups. These are smaller offshoots of the mother plant that are still attached to the main root system but can live on their own as full plants. If your main aloe plant is starting to look leggy and droopy and is surrounded by smaller pups, it’s definitely time to transplant.
Tips for Repotting an Aloe
To repot an aloe, first carefully remove it from its current pot. If any pups are present, you should be able to pull them apart from the main root mass. If the plant is rootbound, however, you might have to hack the roots apart with a knife. Don’t worry, aloe plants are very tough and the roots can handle being cut apart. As long as each pup has some roots still attached, they should be fine. Once your aloe is divided, leave the plants out for at least one night in a warm, dry place. This will help heal any wounds to the roots. Then plant them in new pots– small plants can be doubled up in containers that are at least 4 inches (10 cm.) across.
Outdoor Aloe Transplanting
If your aloe plant is growing in the garden and you want to move or divide it, simply use a shovel to dig straight down in a circle around the roots. Use the shovel to lift the plant up out of the ground. If your aloe is very large and you want to divide pups, you might need to use the shovel to pry the roots apart. Move your plant or plants to new holes in the ground or, if you like, into containers.
