Harvesting Aloe Vera

Hi, I've been searching around trying to find out more about harvesting Aloe vera 'leaves' (blades?). All the information I have come across recommends that I cut outer blades at the base of them and remove the whole blade at once. I have one large Aloe plant and it has given a few pups which I will soon be transplanting to have more.

Well, from all that I have read here and elsewhere, it seems that the gel needs to be harvested and utilized quickly as it loses potency/oxidizes. Some claim you can store it for up to a week in the refrigerator. My question here is, can I just cut a section of the blade and use it as necessary? Has anyone tried this? Or must I cut the whole blade?

If the recommended dosage is 1-2tbsp per gallon for foliar and root drench, seems like I'd be wasting a whole blade unless I come up with other uses. I could juice some and use topically I guess.



Also, the recommendation if you are to juice, is using a blade that is convex and plump. The concave blades have more bitter qualities to them, so not recommended. Would then the same idea apply to what you harvest for plant application?

I just cut off an inch or 2 depending on the thickness of the blade and run it through the magic bullet juicer per gallon of water. I work my way down the blade until its gone. The plant doen't seem to mind.

I have never heard about your second question. I did taste the aloe slime once becauae I thought we might add it to the daily smoothies but it was VERY bitter.

CaptainCAVEMAN said:

I just cut off an inch or 2 depending on the thickness of the blade and run it through the magic bullet juicer per gallon of water. I work my way down the blade until its gone. The plant doen't seem to mind.

I have never heard about your second question. I did taste the aloe slime once becauae I thought we might add it to the daily smoothies but it was VERY bitter.View attachment 3801631

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Hey thanks! I was hoping to hear they wouldn't mind. They do heal over where you cut pretty quick it seems, within minutes really. I was getting ready to harvest some but my plant is looking yellow from all the rain we've been getting where I am. I may have to even remove from the pot and add some more sand to make it better draining...


I never heard about that part either with the convex/concave before. But when I was searching before deciding to ask here I came across this video:

I do know that when you cut the blades, it secretes a yellowish, mucilaginous substance from the veins that is extremely bitter. You are supposed to scrape that off until it 'bleeds' all of it out. Then just rinse off and fillet it and use the gel in a smoothie. Its really good stuff to take internally though.

ColaKoala13 said:

Hey thanks! I was hoping to hear they wouldn't mind. They do heal over where you cut pretty quick it seems, within minutes really. I was getting ready to harvest some but my plant is looking yellow from all the rain we've been getting where I am. I may have to even remove from the pot and add some more sand to make it better draining...


I never heard about that part either with the convex/concave before. But when I was searching before deciding to ask here I came across this video:

I do know that when you cut the blades, it secretes a yellowish, mucilaginous substance from the veins that is extremely bitter. You are supposed to scrape that off until it 'bleeds' all of it out. Then just rinse off and fillet it and use the gel in a smoothie. Its really good stuff to take internally though.

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Thanks man. Now you've made me want an aloe even more
Do you know what we have to watch out for when getting one? I'm a bit confused by the many varieties in the garden centers - dotted, ones, striped ones... but those are all aloe something, not aloe vera. Those wouldn't work for our purposes, would they?

calliandra said:

Thanks man. Now you've made me want an aloe even more
Do you know what we have to watch out for when getting one? I'm a bit confused by the many varieties in the garden centers - dotted, ones, striped ones... but those are all aloe something, not aloe vera. Those wouldn't work for our purposes, would they?

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gardenguides.com/118803-aloe-vera-plant-types.html

I know there are a few varieties used medicinally but the most common is Aloe barbadensis I believe. Its also the species I myself have growing. By all looks of it, it's the same species @CaptainCAVEMAN has growing too. As you probably know, it's a succulent and an arid climate plant. Just have to make sure it has well draining soil, do not water very often and be aware of your climate context whether it is hardy where you live or you'll need to bring it indoors in winter or during heavy rains.

It makes much more sense to cultivate it than buy aloe products imo. It's fresh and when used immediately the active compounds and benefits are all there and not lost. You save money and don't create waste and it's a fairly low maintenance plant. Also, when mine was in a smaller pot it got too big for it and that stimulated it to give off 'pups,' new shoots around its base. I transplanted the mother then cut out a few pups. Ended up giving them away to neighbors but I still have like another 10 I could cut out and transplant... Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

ColaKoala13 said:

It makes much more sense to cultivate it than buy aloe products imo. It's fresh and when used immediately the active compounds and benefits are all there and not lost. You save money and don't create waste and it's a fairly low maintenance plant. Also, when mine was in a smaller pot it got too big for it and that stimulated it to give off 'pups,' new shoots around its base. I transplanted the mother then cut out a few pups. Ended up giving them away to neighbors but I still have like another 10 I could cut out and transplant... Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

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Oh yes, definitely, given the choice I go the independent way anytime
Ha and thanks for the link, instant enlightenment!

CaptainCAVEMAN said:

I just cut off an inch or 2 depending on the thickness of the blade and run it through the magic bullet juicer per gallon of water. I work my way down the blade until its gone. The plant doen't seem to mind.

I have never heard about your second question. I did taste the aloe slime once becauae I thought we might add it to the daily smoothies but it was VERY bitter.View attachment 3801631

Click to expand...

Getting a little off topic, but thought I would throw this out there. I use aloe in my smoothies now, just got to get rid of the bitter part.

Theophagy said:

Getting a little off topic, but thought I would throw this out there. I use aloe in my smoothies now, just got to get rid of the bitter part.

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Thanks for that!