The aloe vera plant, with its succulent leaves and many wonderful uses, has become one of the most popular houseplants. Besides propagating by cuttings, seeds of aloe vera is also an interesting and rewarding experience, giving you the opportunity to own rare and unique plant varieties. In this article, Garden Creatives will guide you in detail how to seeds of aloe vera, from collecting seeds to caring for seedlings, helping you create a lush and beautiful aloe vera garden.
A brief introduction about seeds of aloe vera
Seeds of aloe vera are small, gray-brown to black, flat seeds found in the dried fruits of the aloe vera plant after they bloom. For a reliable seed harvest, aloe vera plants need to be four or more years old, depending on the species.
Some plants can take up to a decade to mature and produce seeds. seeds of aloe vera should be dark in color and not pale or white, as these seeds are not ready to harvest and will not germinate. Growing aloe vera from seeds is an exciting propagation method, allowing you to discover and own rare and unique aloe vera plants.
How to grow seeds of aloe vera
The aloe vera plant is one of the most popular houseplants, with attractive succulents widely available and coming in a variety of sizes. Propagating aloe vera plants is usually done by cuttings, which produces healthy plants faster than growing from seeds.
However, growing aloe vera from seeds is also very rewarding, quite easy and can give you the opportunity to have exotic and rare plants in your collection. Below are detailed instructions on how to grow aloe vera from seeds and increase the number of these useful plants.
How to Collect seeds of aloe vera
Aloe vera plants must be four years or older to reliably produce seeds. The exact timing depends on the species and some trees do not mature for up to a decade. When the plant flowers, it can produce seeds. You can harvest seeds from spent flowers or order them from reputable sellers.
For the direct harvesting method, you need to know how to collect and store aloe vera seeds. Gardeners with mature plants may see seeds in the flowers after they turn brown and drop their petals. Aloe vera seeds are small, gray-brown to black and flat. Seeds that are pale or white are not ready to harvest and will not germinate. Seeds are found in the dried fruits on the plant and need to be extracted by splitting the fruit.
The fruit will be green-brown when ready. Place a pot under the fruit to collect the seeds and discard the empty fruit. You can start propagating aloe vera seeds right away or wait until next spring if sowing outdoors. Store seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dark place. Seeds should be used the same year they were harvested for best results.
How to Grow Aloe Vera Plants from Seeds
Aloe vera seeds usually germinate quite easily. You need the right environment and conditions to be more successful. A mixture of half peat and horticultural sand makes a well-drained medium. You can also use a combination of sand, sterile compost, and perlite. The goal is to provide material that is loose, not soggy, and not susceptible to pathogens or weeds.
Any container will do, but flat containers use less soil and create a controlled environment for the seedlings. Lightly moisten the medium and spread the seeds about an inch (2.5 cm) apart. Cover with a thin layer of sand on top.
If you are in a warm climate, you can plant the seeds outdoors. Those in cold climates will need to start growing indoors with the addition of bottom heat. Keep the environment moderately humid with bright light and an ideal temperature of 75 degrees F (23 degrees C).
Care During Propagation of seeds of aloe vera
Many growers cover the tray with a plastic lid or place the container in a plastic bag to keep the humidity high for germination. However, if you use an organic medium that is not sterile, this can lead to fungal problems that can kill the seedlings. Mist the soil surface to keep it moist until you see sprouts.
This process can take two to four weeks depending on the species. Seedlings should be kept above the heat source for two weeks as they develop roots. Water from under the seedlings in the open tray to prevent wilting and to provide adequate moisture to the roots once they are removed from the heating pad. The most important thing when the seedlings are still in the two-leaf stage is to prevent drying out without overwatering them.
When you see four or more leaves, plant each plant in a 2-inch (5-cm) pot with a sterilized mixture of 3 parts organic material, 3 parts pumice, and 1 ½ parts coarse sand. Plant as you would with mature plants.
Conclude
How seeds of aloe vera is not only an easy and enjoyable process, but it also brings a lot of joy and satisfaction as you see the plant grow day by day. By applying the techniques and advice in this article, you will be able to successfully propagate healthy aloe vera plants to add to your ornamental plant collection. Start planting today and enjoy the joy of caring for and watching aloe vera plants grow and bloom.
