A Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting Aloe Vera (+ 5 Best Practices)

The aloe vera plant (Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis) is a beautiful house plant known for its skin-healing aloe vera gel. 

But over time, you should repot your aloe plant to help maintain its healthy leaves.

When should you repot your aloe vera plant?

Repot aloe vera when:

• The plant outgrows its current pot.
• The main plant is ready for propagation.

We’ll explore the process of repotting aloe vera in each case. We’ll also discuss four best practices when repotting.

Also Check Out Searching for the best potting soil for aloe vera? Try Rosy’s Well-draining Aloe Vera Soil! Learn How To Propagate Monstera in no time.

Repotting Aloe Vera to Upsize a Pot

Overgrown aloes may become root bound. 

The result?

• Stunted aloe vera leaf growth.
• Wilting aloe leaves.
• The plant becomes leggy or top-heavy.

Upsizing the plant to a larger pot can prevent these issues.  

Follow these steps to repot an aloe plant in a larger pot (or to transplant a new plant for the first time):

• Water your aloe vera 24 hours before repotting to minimize transplant shock. Skip this step if the parent plant shows signs of overwatering (e.g., mushy, droopy aloe leaves).
• Release the aloe from its current pot, removing any soil debris around the root ball.
• Fill a clean container 1/3 full with a well-draining potting mix (like Rosy aloe vera soil).
• Center the aloe vera plant in the new pot.
• Use a trowel to fill the container with potting mix, covering the stem.
• Water the plant and place it in indirect sunlight.

Repotting Aloe Vera to Split Aloe Pups

Good news!

You can propagate aloe vera when repotting to grow more plants. As each baby plant forms a root system, you can separate the offsets from the mother plant. 

Here’s how:

• Release the plant from its current pot.
• Gently separate each aloe pup from the parent plant — cut the offshoots apart with a sharp knife, ensuring each baby plant retains some roots and an inch of stem.
• Replant the main plant in a new pot (if necessary) with fresh soil.
• Leave the offshoots in indirect light until the cuts callus. A callus is a plant tissue that forms over a wound to prevent infections and prepare for new growth.
• Repot each new plant in a suitable pot with well-draining potting soil (like Rosy aloe vera soil).
• Place the pots in indirect sunlight.
• Gently water your new plants. Wait until the soil is mostly dry before watering again.

Pro tip: Propagate aloe vera when each aloe vera pup is around 2-3 inches tall.

4 Best Practices for Repotting Aloe Vera

Wondering how to care for your aloe?

Follow our aloe vera plant care tips to help them thrive and produce new growth:

1. Choosing the Best Soil

Aloe vera houseplants grow best in potting soil with:

• Optimal drainage: Since aloe is a succulent plant, they prefer well-draining or dry soil (like cactus mix). Excessive water retention can cause root rot.
• Good aeration: Soil with good airflow helps the root system absorb oxygen
• Plenty of nutrients: Like any indoor plant, aloes need nutrients and organic matter to flourish.

Plus, avoid soil mix containing unsustainable additives like peat moss, coco peat, and perlite. 

We recommend: An Earth Positive soil mix like Rosy. 

Rosy uses carbon-negative biochar, plant-based compost, and plant-friendly mycorrhizae to create the perfect medium for aloes.

2. Selecting the Right Container

Unsure how to choose a new pot for indoor plants like aloe?

Follow these tips:

• Aloes prefer small pots. A larger pot could cause excessive water retention and a weak root ball. As a guideline, choose a pot 5-10% wider than your aloe plant.
• This succulent plant thrives in porous pots that maximize water and airflow, like a ceramic or terracotta pot.
• Algae may form on your ceramic or terracotta pot, so clean the sides of the pot occasionally.
• Ensure the new pot has drainage holes so excess water can flow out the bottom of the pot.

3. Ensuring Proper Light Conditions

The aloe vera plant grows well in indirect sunlight. 

They can survive in full sun, but direct sunlight can dry the aloe leaf and even cause sunburn.

Want to move your indoor plant to a brighter spot?

Let the aloe adjust in partial shade before moving it under more sunlight.

4. Watering Correctly

Your Aloe barbadensis is vulnerable to overwatering and root rot. 

Bottom line?

Only water your aloe plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry. Also, your aloe vera house plant usually needs less water in colder months.

Pro tip: Use the aloe gel inside the leaf to treat skin blemishes and burns. But remember, only use aloe vera gel topically.

Give Your Aloes a New Lease of Life

Repotting aloe vera gives your plant more room to grow. 

You can also propagate aloe pups during the process to get more plants for your garden. 

And while you’re at it, use Rosy’s aloe vera soil for optimal plant care. It’s a well-draining potting soil packed with nutrients to help your aloes thrive.