Does Aloe Bloom? Learn to Care for It This Way and It Will Bloom Normally

Aloe is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Aloe in the family Asphodelaceae, one of the few edible species in the genus, and it can also be used in beauty, health care, medicine and other fields. So, does aloe bloom? How do you care for it so it blooms?

1. Does aloe bloom?

Aloe does bloom.

1. There are many varieties of aloe; some bloom and some do not. Although the varieties that do bloom can flower, it is very rare to see them bloom. They only bloom when environmental conditions are suitable, and they generally need to be grown for two to three years before they bloom. May of each year is the peak season for aloe blooming.

2. The flower scape of aloe is 60-90 cm tall, unbranched or sometimes slightly branched, with a raceme bearing dozens of flowers; the bracts are nearly lanceolate with sharp tips, the flowers droop and are arranged sparsely. The flower colors are very rich, with light red and true red being the most common, and there are also yellow and white.

3. Because aloe blooms so rarely, once it does bloom it is considered an extremely auspicious sign, a sign of blessing, meaning that the wishes of those who see it will come true; its flower language is self-respecting yet self-doubting love, symbolizing keeping oneself pure and self-loving, free from disturbance.

2. How do you care for aloe so it blooms?

1. Pot selection: What kind of pot is best?

For planting aloe, it is best to use a clay pot; do not choose a porcelain pot or a plastic pot, because such pots have poor breathability and easily cause root rot, while clay pots have good breathability. Before use, however, it is better to soak the pot thoroughly with water.

2. Soil: What kind of soil is best?

The soil for planting aloe is best a fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 6.5—7.2. If the soil clumps and is not breathable, and holds water without draining, the plant will die.

3. Temperature: What is the optimal growing temperature?

Aloe likes warmth and fears cold. Its suitable growing temperature is 20—30°C, and 14—17°C at night. At as low as 10°C it stops growing, and when it drops below 0°C the leaf flesh freezes and all of it wilts and dies.

4. Light: How much light is needed?

Aloe requires plenty of sunlight when growing, at least 4 hours of light each day; in summer the light is too strong, so it can be shaded appropriately, and at noon it should be moved to a cool place and must not be exposed directly to the sun; in winter it should be moved indoors to a spot with light to receive sufficient sunshine.

5. Watering: How do you water it?

Aloe has a fairly strong drought tolerance and can be kept dry out of soil for several months without dying, but during the growing period it needs sufficient water and must not have waterlogged soil. When watering, follow the principle of not watering until dry, and watering thoroughly when you do. In summer, water once every 2-3 days; in spring and autumn, water once a week; in winter, water once every half month.

6. Fertilizing: How do you fertilize it?

Fertilizer is an indispensable condition for aloe to bloom. During the growing period it must have sufficient nutrients; otherwise it will not only fail to bloom but also grow poorly. You can use fermented organic fertilizers, such as cake fertilizer, chicken manure, compost, worm castings, etc., applying 3-4 times each year.

Summary: Aloe actually does bloom, but it is very difficult for it to bloom and it requires suitable environmental conditions to do so, so people rarely see it. In fact, as long as it is a variety that blooms, with careful care, it will bloom once it reaches the blooming age.