3 Signs To Repot An Aloe Vera Plant [Repotting Guide]

Aloe Vera plants do not give up on their owner easily as long as you repot them timely, considering the fact that succulents are not hard to keep alive.

The growing trend of the Aloe Vera collection is not going down anytime soon and for all good reasons. After all, who would not want a natural moisturizer and all-time favorite burn reliever?

So, follow along to find the correct time and ways to repot Aloe Vera plants.

How Big Does Aloe Vera Grow?

Unlike other succulents, Aloe grows very fast. New leaves appear every month, meaning the plant can get considerably huge.

In ordinary situations, indoor Aloe Veras can grow as much as 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) in height. 

The best part about adorning your living space and balcony with Aloe Vera is that it is hard to kill them and requires low maintenance.

You can get an Aloe Vera huge enough to surprise visitors with the perfect care and healthy growing conditions.

When to Repot Aloe Vera Plant?

It is recommended to repot your Aloe Vera once a year or less, depending upon the size of your plant. But this is not an absolute rule for all these plants.

For instance, your Aloe Vera by the balcony might need repotting once every six months. However, for your tabletop ones, repot Aloe Vera plants indoors once every two to five years.

Like many other succulents, agitation to the root zone of Aloe Vera during winter could cost its life.

This is because Aloe plants go dormant in the winter to escape the harsh winter from damaging the plant. 

Even if the plant survives the harsh conditions, the risk of Aloe appearing sickly and frail all year long persists.

Signs Your Aloe Vera Plants Need Repotting

Repotting an Aloe does not mean doing so whenever you feel like it. 

These succulents give some tell-tell signs that you are suffocating them into tiny containers. Watch out!

1. Overcrowded Aloe Vera

A mature Aloe starts producing baby Veras at the base.

And, if not divided and repotted, these tiny Aloe start developing in the same pot. This further leads to excessive root binding.

Also, repotting and separating Aloe Vera plants that outgrow a pot carries the risk of root damage during the process.

2. Roots Growing Through Drainage Holes

Aloe Veras love being rootbound; they grow to a certain extent in a tiny container.

Following the same, the leaves droop, appear yellow and seems stunted and deformed. 

Your Aloes will stop growing horizontally and instead have a twisted appearance. New leaves take longer to develop and are considerably tiny.

Further, the roots start shooting off from the topsoil, and numerous Aloe buds appear alongside the mother plant.

3. Droopy and Leggy Aloe Vera

Your Vera appears droopy and leggy for many reasons, such as root rot, excessive light, or lack of water.

Sometimes overwatering and excessive nutrients could show the same results. 

However, if you have ruled out other causes, the wilted plant is probably due to root binding.

It might be an excellent way to save and refresh your unhealthy Aloes if repotting is long pending.

Best Pots for Aloe Vera Plants

There are over 300 varieties of Aloe Vera, all in different sizes, lengths, and spreads, demanding pots accordingly. 

The pot should be large enough for roots to have space with the material that allows proper drainage and aeration.

Gardeners prefer using terracotta, but the market has a wide selection of plastic and ceramic planters.

Here is a list of Amazon’s top-rated Aloe Vera planters as of January 2023. 

Tips to Repot Aloe Vera Plants

Let’s say you have decided on repotting your rootbound plant and chose the accurate pot. Now the only thing you lack is the proper way for potting Aloe Vera Plants.

Before you begin, put on your garden gloves. Aloe veras are prickly!

• Uproot the plant: Twist or pinch the side to remove the Aloe Vera from the pot without damaging the roots. If the root is heavily bound, make the process less stressful by soaking the pot in water overnight.

• Prune the plant: Prune all unhealthy, mature leaves and dead and decaying roots before repotting to make readjustment easier.
• Choosing the right pot: A terracotta pot or ceramic pot, one to two inches larger than the previous one, fits best to ensure a healthy root system.
• Select the appropriate growing medium: Use a succulent and cacti mix to provide ample aeration and dryness to the root zone. Or, prepare potting mix for Aloe Vera plants by mixing some sand, coco peat, and plenty of perlites.
• Planting the Aloe Vera: Position your Aloe Vera plant into the 2/3 filled pot and cover it with more potting soil, ensuring the leaves remain above the substrate.

Water the plant soon after repotting and stop once you see the water running through the drainage holes.

The pups can take three to four months to grow roots while cutting can easily root in about four to six weeks under proper care.

Do not worry if you see the Aloes appear sickly a few days after a good repot. The larger your plant, the more time it will take to adjust to the new growing medium.

Care tips for Repotted Aloe Vera

After repotting, place the plant in a bright location for 6-8 hours of filtered light.

Moreover, carefully tend to your plant’s needs to acclimate to the new home.

• Keep the soil slightly moist for at least a week. However, please do not leave it soggy and dripping.
• Make sure to empty the drainage tray to prevent the reabsorption of excess water.
• Maintain a temperature of 55-80°F as the plant thrives in warmer conditions.
• Do not add fertilizers or plant food for the first month after repotting. Feed the plant once a year with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing period.
• Add a gravel layer at the pot’s bottom to enhance drainage. 
• After fifteen days of repotting, you can re-position your Aloe Vera wherever you wish.