My aloe vera has become too tall for its pot.?

Question

The bottom leaves are dead, but the rest is absolutely fine.
I need to repot it but how do I get to the rootstock and how can I prevent it from leaning so far? At the moment I have to lean it against the wall or it will fall over. It also has a baby growing at its side, and I would like to repot this one too. I have cactus compost and a larger plastic pot. Can any one advise me how I can save my aloe vera, please?

Answer 1

The small plant growing at its side is called an offset or pup. Just split it off from the parent and pot it in your cactus compost. You'll need to prop it up until it has enough roots to stand by itself.

If your original plant has gotten too tall, remove the lower dead or deformed leaves, and snap off the stem just below the lowest remaining leaf. Discard the lower stem and roots. Let the cut stem dry for a few days and then plant it as you did with the offset. New roots will develop and then you can remove the props. Be patient. The roots grow very slowly.

Answer 2

Aloe plants can be broken apart and replanted. Especially when they are thick or very tall. I would break apart at the root into three and plant those. The tallest ones should be planted in a heavy pot so you can stick in something to hold it up. (anything you have laying around would work, or you can buy some at a store). Just stick in as close to plant as you can and tie the stalk to it with green tape found at craft stores. (thread will cut into the plant and damage it.) :)