Question
I have a aloe cactus as an indoor plant, for about 1.5 years now.  She is getting brown and dry at the base of her (leaves??) and it doesn't seem like she is growing.  I put her into a larger container last night and when I pulled her up her roots are very short.  My first question is do they usually have long roots like most plants, and secondly will they regrow and attach themselves in the new dirt I have placed them in.  Also I noticed that plants seem to be able to be divided.  Is this so.  Can you also tell me how big they generally get.  I really don't want to loose this plant but I don't think I am taking proper care of her and am afraid it will eventually die.  I appreciate your time in answering these questions.  Thank you


Answer
Hi Jennifer,

It sounds like there might be a couple things happening. She is being watered either too much or not enough. However, based on your description it sounds like she is not being watered enough. Now that you have replanted her, water her the next few times with a product called 揝uperthrive?added to the water. Dilute it about 50% from what the directions say though.

It is normal for the leaves to do what your saying, so don't worry. What you need to worry about is if the leaves at the 揷rown?of the plant start to droop or fall out. That means rot has set in and the plant is almost certainly doomed. I am assuming that this is an Aloe Vera plant. Aloe Vera does not get very large, and they will actually creep along the ground. Some Aloes will get as big as a tree, but that takes a very long time.

Aloe Vera will sprout new plants around its base, which can be broken off and replanted. This is not the case with 搕ree?Aloes though. I am not sure where you live, but if it is really humid, only water your Aloe about once a month (and soak the soil when you do). If it were very dry then ever 2 weeks would be sufficient. In either case, let the soil dry out between waterings. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Greg