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How to Split an Aloe Plant in Two
How to Split an Aloe Plant in Two. Aloe vera is a perennial succulent plant that grows well indoors with a lot of sun and can be grown outdoors in mild climates (USDA zones 10-11). Aloe requires little care other than occasional watering and a light fertilizing annually. Mature aloe plants will send out offshoots or offsets--miniature plants that...
Aloe vera is a perennial succulent plant that grows well indoors with a lot of sun and can be grown outdoors in mild climates (USDA zones 10-11). Aloe requires little care other than occasional watering and a light fertilizing annually. Mature aloe plants will send out offshoots or offsets--miniature plants that appear around the base. These can be divided and grown separately. Adult plants can also be split in half and re-potted in two separate pots.
Things You'll Need
Potting soil
Pot
Hand trowel or sharp knife
Newspaper, tarp or plastic sheet
Dividing Aloe Vera
Take the aloe out of the pot. Turn the pot upside down over a newspaper, tarp or plastic sheet. Gently work the aloe plant and entire root ball out of the pot. Keep as much soil in contact with the root ball as possible. It is best to do this a few days after watering and before the soil dries out completely.
Split the aloe plant in two. Use the knife or trowel to cut between leaf stems. Looking down at the plant, cut between the leaf stems where you want to divide the plant. Cut through into the root ball, being careful to keep the soil on the roots. Cut deeply enough to completely divide the roots between the two halves.
Using a knife instead of a trowel causes less trauma to the roots and splits the plant more cleanly. Aloe will recover more quickly if the tiny roots structures are not disturbed by having the soil shaken loose.
Re-pot the split plants. Use cactus-growing mix or regular potting soil with up to one third sand. Fill under and around the split plant and thoroughly water. Place the aloe plants in the fullest, strongest sun possible.
Tips & Warnings
Signs that the aloe has outgrown its pot include roots coming out of the drainage hole, the center of the plant dying and lower leaves turning yellow and dying.
Aloe is relatively slow growing and actually grows well if pot-bound. Don't use an oversized pot for replanting. Adding a layer or pebbles or gravel in the bottom of the pots will increase drainage. Allow the soil to dry completely (without wilting the aloe) between waterings.
Some aloe species have spines. Use protective gloves to split them in two. Always cut away from your body and limbs in case the knife slips.
