Question
I have an Aloe Vera plant that has been alive for sometime now but I just realized it doesn't have any roots on it going into the soil.  So, I thought I should repot it and water it a bunch and then let it dry up b/f I water it again.  But can I use regular potting soil? Is this normal for the roots to do this? How often should I water it. Thanks for any help!
Celeste

Answer
Hi Celeste, your question is actually not all that uncommon when it comes to Aloe Vera plants.

These plants are very sensitive to wet conditions. It sounds that your plant has been overwatered and the roots rotted, giving way to a top plant with no root structure.

Aloes are filled with plant juices and can live without roots for extended times, so they do very well under dry conditions. If given too much water, the tissue gives way and bacteria can enter the roots and kill them.

Lucikly, you can re-root the plant. I would recommend that you either pickup a bag of "seed starting mixture" at a garden center (such as Schults seed-starter) or a bag of peatmoss sphagnum mixed 50/50% with perlite (available at garden centers, or in the "greenhouse" section of home depot, etc). Do not use "potting soil" because it is too heavy. Seed starting mixtures are best.

The growing media should be moderately moist and then allowed to drain. I like to put some in a plastic baggie and then put a bit of water in the bag at a time. Work it into the growing media with your hands from the outside. When the growing media holds together in a ball, but no water drips when squeezed hard, it is damp enough.

Dip the bottom of your aloe plant in a disinfection solution (1 part chlorax bleach to 10 parts water .. only use it diluted as above.. not full strength bleach). Just a quick dip, and then rinse thoroughly in clean water.

Put some of the pre-moistened growing media in a pot. With your fingers make a small hole in the middle of the growing media just large enough to hold the aloe plant. Stick the aloe plant 1-2" into the growing media and firm around the base. Then cover plant, pot, etc loosely with clear plastic wrap, and placed in a well-lit area with no direct sunlight. One way to cover the plant is to use a disposable ("drycleaners") wirer-hanger and bend it so it create two overlapping arches over the aloe plant. Do not let the plastic toutch the plant.

If moisture beads appear, remove covering for a few hours and replace. The plant will root if kept on the dry side.

Once rooted and growing, watch watering, adding water only when the top of the soil dries (usually visible by fact that the media turn a lighter color than when it is wet). I recommend that you pick up a bag of cactus mix at your local garden center, or the supermarket (by the cut flowers).

Good luck.