How to grow the Aloe Vera?

Hello,

I wanted to grow aloe vera at home. I have read that the aloe vera can be grown from a mature leaf. so I have slit a leaf from the plant and placed in a pot. The pot is kept in sunlight and moderately watered. Its been one month since i planted it. It is neither drying up, decaying nor is it giving off another shoot. Can someone please throw light on the gardening method required for the aloe vera.?

regards
ammvin

dear friend,
I have the plant at home.i have taken a small plant itself along with the roots and planted it.I think if u plant that leaf alone it will not grow.Now my plant is nicely grown and gives out small small shoots near the roots..mine also has some light pink color flowers also.
try planting the whole plant with roots

love
priya

Oh! so it needs to be a shoot is't? I cut out a leaf from my plant and placed in another pot. Think i'll have to wait for the plant to give out shoots to re-plant in other pots.

hai ammvin,
yes u have to plant with the shoot.try that method and all the best
love
priya

Some more info on this: Because Aloe plants consist of 95% water, they are extremely frost tender. If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, they should be planted in full sun, or light shade. The soil should be moderately fertile, and fast draining. Established plants will survive a drought quite well, but for the benefit of the plant, water should be provided.
Because of their popularity, Aloe vera plants are available at almost every garden shop or nursery. Unless you live in area with a very mild climate, it's best to leave your Aloe plant in the pot and place it near a window that gets a lot of sun. You can move the pot outdoors during the summer months.
Aloe vera is a succulent, and as such, stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering.
Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system, so when it is time to repot choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one. Use a planter with a drainage hole, or provide a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure adequate drainage. Use a good commercial potting mix with extra perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand added. You may also use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil. Fertilize yearly, in the spring with a dilute (half strength)
Aloes are propagated by removing the offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are a couple inches tall (or larger).
As to the claims of the medicinal properties of the Aloe plant, I can only speak from my personal experience. I have kept an Aloe plant around for years, primarily for burns. In case of burns, an immediate application of fresh gel has relieved much of the pain, and prevented blistering, many times. I also found it to be quite effective to relieve itching from stings, bites and various 'stinging' plants, such as poison ivy. It is also good for the same problems, when they are encountered by your pets.
When you need to use it medicinally, just remove a lower leaf from the plant, slice it open, and apply the gel on the affected area.