That's not bad looking at all, it hasn't had a chance to establish the roots yet. Put it in dry well draining soil and let it sit until you see new leaves growing, then water, make sure you have given it drainage. Give very little water because of your high humidity. You are expecting too much too soon. Aloe do not like the cold, and being wet at the same time. They do enjoy the sun, and being on the dry side. If grown too fast it will get leggy. If established in will flower in the early spring. Enjoy you plant. Norma

I think you have Aloe Vera 'Chinensis'. This will pup wildly once established. I would only give it half day sun. Norma has given good advice. Follow it and your plant should do very well.........

Thank you both for your input! I planted the aloe in dry (out of the bag) soil mixed with perlite and did not water it (boy, was it hard not to!). Since there is rain in the forcast for the next few days, I'm going to leave it inside in a SE window where it will get about 2 hours of direct light, and bright light for most of the day. It kind of at a diagonal, because of the way the root is.

Norma, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, I just didn't want it to die! Where will the new leaves grow out of? From the root or from the stem?

Thanks again for your help,
Britta

Hi Britta,

Well I'll respectfully disagree w/ Norma on this one. I don't think it looks too good. I grow Aloes indoors in NYC & they do fine (but don't bloom).

I DO see roots on there, but the plant looks kind of beat up. If it were mine, I'd cut off an inch or 2 of bottom stem & roots; I see one short beige colored root that looks better. Then pot it in a smallish narrow pot if you can find such & it MUST have a drainage hole, otherwise, I wouldnt' bother at all. C&S mix w/ 30 to 50% perlite (or pumice if you can get it) will be fine. I only grow Indoors so I can't comment abt outdoor conditions, but if you put it out, don't let it get rained on. Don't water it 'til you see new growth. Pot it as upright & vertical as you can, even if you have to prop it up w/ rocks around its base.

A different technique you could try (which I learned from an accomplished Aloe grower here), is to simply stand the plant up in an empty clay pot, no mix, no water & let it recover. It will sprout roots on its own. I know it sounds weird, but I've seen him do it w/ Aloes & Jades & it works fine, I've tried it myself. Just don't put it out in full sun like that.

Hi pirate girl,
I actually have two of these aloes and they both are in about the same condition, so I only posted a picture of one. Since this one is already replanted, I will try trimming the roots on the other and letting it sit for a while. I'll keep you posted on how my twins are doing!
Britta

Hi Pirate Girl,

In reviewing the above information, I would like to purchase 'pumice' and wonder which stores sell this product. Or is it sold under a different name and which manufacturer markets this product?

Hi Vickster,

Abt the pumice, I'm at somewhat of a loss, I've had a private source for 5 yrs. now, a friend on the West Coast gifted me w/ quite a lot some time ago.

Some time back discussion was had here abt a product called either Dry Stall or Stall Dry, used as bedding in horse stalls (if you call & ask pls. be sure to mention that it's volcanic rock product you're looking for). Recently saw it mentioned again, either here or at Houseplants(last week).

Otherwise, in my local Indoor Gardening Society, I've heard that Brooklyn Bonsai carries it, but I don't know how big the quantities are or the prices.

Hi Britta,

I just noticed yr. question abt where will the new leaves come from (sorry I missed it earlier). They'll come from within the rosette of leaves, in the very center of the cluster of existing leaves. HTH

Okay, the first aloe I repotted is sitting in very dry soil now. But I'll tie my hands behind my back so I won't water it and wait for new growth!

Thanks!
Britta

I'd pot it up in a clay pot w/cactus/succulent soil. Then give it a good drink, and place in bright spot. Because it's nearing winter, there's no need to take outside until next spring. At least that's what I'd do if it were my Aloe..Toni

Karen I certainly agree. I want to remind Britta, that this species grows in hot country, and will not like cold weather either. She should follow your lead as to where to grow the plant. Please tell her how often to water, and make sure that soil drains well, do not let the pot sit in water. As it grows then she can increase the size of the pot, that cutting looks huge. Any small rocks will aid drainage, it also make the pot heavier, and helps hold the plant in. This plant naturally comes from the east coast of Africa so it a good one to grow indoors and it likes more water than the species that grow in the deserts. Karen, does your Aloes grow mostly in the Winter, mine seem to flower when my temps. cool down here. Hugs, Norma

I have not been watering the aloe and it doesn't look any worse. Actually, it think it looks a little greener. I just brought its sister in from outside a minute ago, since the soil got pretty wet from the rain and it's only 50 degrees out there. I remembered, aloes don't like it wet and cold! :)

How long should it take before new growth appears? Are they usually dormant during the winter?

Thanks to all your good advice, both of my aloes are still alive and doing well. Due to a pot shortage at my house, one ended up in a plastic ice cream container, and that one has actually 4 pups! Yeah!!!
Britta
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I would keep the Aloe vera dry during the winter. Make sure you have drainage holes in that container (or water it even less!). Continue to give it light, but don't step up watering until the spring. Put it outside during frost free weather (first in the shade, later in morning sun), and you'll see how much it will grow next year!

It's in a SE window and getting a good amount of indirect light. I will probably cease to water altogether, since it's in the bathroom and probably getting enough moisture from showers.
Come spring, can I trim the root so it will fit into a pot better?
Britta

I'm concerned how big that pot is, seems way too large, also it's in the bathroom you say? Sounds like lots of humidity, I'd be concerned abt the combination of those 2 factors inducing rot.

It can't go in a smaller pot because the root is so long. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the end of the root sticking out to the right of the biggest pup. That's why I asked if it's safe to trim the root in the spring.

As for the humidity, it's been thriving ever since I put it in the bathroom (2 months ago). We always have the fan on while showering and open the window/door immediately after. That must cut down on the humidity.

How do I get my aloe plant to grow upright? The bottom 6 leaves are upright and then the top 5 leaves seems to change direction. The top 5 leaves are growing in a straight line but diagonal from the first 6 leaves. I'm afraid it's going to tip out of it's pot. Should I cut off the top part and replant it? Would that work? And then what would I do with the bottom part?

Follow what ever Karen says because whe lives in New York,
she has had more training than I have. Norma

Well Norma, but I'll respectfully disagree, but thanks for the vote of confidence anyway! YOU'VE had much more training, it's just I've got the more similar weather in NY, but you're sweet to say so. W/ all your years at the Huntington, you've got much more training (of which I've had none formally) & experience than I!

If the poster missed it, Pirate Girl is aka Karen

(PG) Karen