Hi! New member here. I was wondering if someone could give me advice on repotting an aloe vera plant. It seems to be growing lots of offshoots and reaching over the pot, but the stems or "arms" seem to dry up. I don't want to lose those shoots and thought there must be a way to replant them. Should I cut off the brownish stem, then plant the flowing top, and if so how close do I cut? Also, is there a reason this aloe keep growing out of the pot instead of straight up? Thanks!
I would cut them about an inch or two below the green leaves, than plant the new cuttings up to the first green leaf. That always works for me. Maybe it's the variety of aloe. I've had viney ones and upright ones. I like the ones like tours, better.
Just be sure to let the cut end callous over (dry out). You may see bumps on the stems that already are where new roots are ready to grow. Mine too needs repotting and dividing. Feel free to pot up separately any pups. Or just stuff them all in the same pot. I might suggest more sun and slightly more water in the future. Watch the bottom leaves for shriveling. Overwater just like under watering can have the same affects. Soil should always be dry before watering. A month after I repot I don’t water the plant at all. Mine is in need of repotting and maintenance also. After the days are a little longer I will be repotting, dividing and providing it with new soil. It will be let to rest with no water for a little while. This is the typical look of an older potted specimen of this variety. It’s been in a western window partially shaded for 3 years. I live in a temperate climate. It is in a plastic one gallon pot inside the ceramic. I never plant directly into my cover pots, just a preference for maintenance. Less disturbance of roots and easier overall.
Is it important to let the ends callous up? I thought that would kill the roots. How long to dry it before repotting?
My experience is it's OK either way. I think the cut stem is probably safer from rot if it dries out a bit, but I always forget that and plant it right away. I think good drainage is more important. Since it's a desert plant, it's happiest in well drained conditions. Usually people let them dry for a day.
@RP1976 aloe Vera, some succulents and cactus are prone to root rot like Daniel said. Most other house plants would die if treated in this manner. In nature it is customary for some succulents to break off the mother plant and then root in dry conditions. Here is a video that gives good info for your variety of aloe Vera
