Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy, dubbed the aloe vera Aloe perfoliata var. vera. Over a decade later, botanist Philip Miller named it Aloe barbadensis. Both names, although the latter is not commonly used, refer to a succulent plant in the agave family that occurs in tropical regions around the world. Aloe can be grown outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness zones above 9, otherwise it is commonly grown indoors, as a houseplant. The aloe plant produces offsets, known as pups, which can be separated from the mother plant and potted up. You can also propagate the aloe houseplant by taking stem cuttings.
Pour the cactus mix into the planting pot and pour water over it until it drips out of the bottom drainage hole. Allow the soil to drain completely.
Use a sharp knife to cut a 4-inch piece of stem from the aloe vera plant.
Leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for three days. This will allow the cutting to form a callus over the cut portion.
Insert the cutting, callused-end down, into the soil. Bury the bottom one-third of the cutting. Place the pot in a bright area, out of direct sun, and keep the soil moist, but not soggy. The aloe cutting should have roots within three weeks.
