Potting Aloe Vera and Other Succulents
If you want to add some houseplants to your collection, consider aloe vera - it's low maintenance and a wonderful air-purifying specimen.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. Known for its lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges, aloe vera is an evergreen perennial that originates from the Arabian Peninsula, but also grows wild in tropical, semi-tropical, and arid climates around the world. I have many different varieties of aloe vera. This week, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, potted up a selection of small succulents for my greenhouse including Aloe 'Marmalade.'
Enjoy these photos.
-
- This is Aloe ‘Marmalade’, also known as Aloe ‘Orange Marmalade.’ Before placing it into its new container, Ryan loosens the root ball with his hands just a bit to stimulate new root growth.
-
- Aloe ‘Marmalade’ is a striking aloe with star-shaped blue-green rosettes. The leaves are covered in orange bumps and lined with small jagged teeth that tend to be flat with a slight downward arch.
-
- Succulents are best planted in clay or terra cotta pots with proper drainage holes because the vessels dry quickly, and prevent water from building up. I favor clay pots and have a large collection, especially from master potters, Guy Wolff and his son Ben Wolff. Ryan pulled a group of different pots to see which ones work best. Select a planter that is at least two-inches wider than the plant’s diameter and tall enough to accommodate the roots.
-
- Every few years, I add to my stock of planting pots. These are new vessels from Ben Wolff. He and his father make every one of them by hand. On the side of each one, he stamps my name. On another side is Ben’s name and the wet-weight of the clay used.
-
- Each pot has a drainage hole. A clay shard is placed over the hole to help prevent any soil from falling out and to aid with drainage.
-
- We always save any broken shards so they can be repurposed in the pots.
-
- Ryan fills the pots with the appropriate medium. Because succulents such as aloe don’t like wet roots, it is important to use a soil mixture that will drain well.
-
- We use a mix of sand, perlite and vermiculite for best drainage. The right soil mix will help to promote faster root growth, and gives quick anchorage to young roots. Ryan also mixes in some all-purpose plant food.
-
- Once it is completely mixed together, Ryan fills about half the pot with the soil mix.
-
- And then places the plant in and adds any additional soil needed. Don’t worry about giving aloe a lot of space – this plant thrives in snug conditions.
-
- Next, Ryan tamps the soil down to prevent any air holes.
-
- This is a well-potted plant. Aloe vera can grow indoors and outdoors. Outside, this plant thrives best in USDA plant hardiness zones 9, 10, or 11.
-
- When kept indoors, select a spot where it will get plenty of sunlight. South- or west-facing windows are ideal.
-
- The aloe plants are among this group of specimens I am adding to the greenhouse. Succulents grow in so many different and interesting formations. I often bring succulents into my home when I entertain – guests love seeing and learning about the different varieties.
-
- Echeveria is a large genus of flowering plants in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae, native to semi-desert areas of Central America, Mexico and northwestern South America. They are among the most popular succulents because of their delightful rosettes and interesting water-storing leaves.
-
- Most Echeverias are non-hardy succulents and can’t survive cold temperatures. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can decline when it drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
- Crassula is a diverse genus of succulent plants, with about 300 small and large species, including the well-known jade plant. These plants do best in bright, southern-facing windows, providing at least six hours of direct sunlight.
-
- In general, succulents require little water to survive – these potted plants will be watered about once a week. They need time to store the water in their leaves and for the soil to dry out between waterings.
-
- Succulents look great potted by themselves, or in groups. Shades of green are a given, but one can also find succulents that are blue, purple, pink, orange, and even red.
-
- These succulents will do excellently in my greenhouse where they can drink in lots of natural sunshine even when the sun isn’t directly over their pots. Happy gardening.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
