The leaf *must* include a significant piece of the stem, otherwise it will never root.

What is significant? The smallest piece I've root was 2 leaves with a 1/4 piece of stem, large or small they root quickly.

Nancy,

And I personally thank you for searching! (Personally because it's a cause mildly dear to me which has caused some general Interwebal consternation and unhappiness when I advocated for it, but that's another story).

To answer your question, unlike most of its relatives the Gasteria and some (all?) Haworthias, an Aloe leaf will not root and become a plant.

Josiah's correct about having to have a major portion of the stem - for the most part, general rooting techniques for an unrooted plant (found in this Forum's FAQ) can be followed. Aloes will also root if you have no stem but have a solid (rather than rotted) area where the stem used to be.

In fact, one of our members here grew this from just a stem cutting...really:

{{gwi:697403}}

I have had good experiences in rooting Aloe suprafoliata pups with just the smidgen of the stem left, but it was a great deal of fussing with it, so I don't recommend it to anyone unless that's the only way to save the plant/pup.

You've also the opportunity to join the Aloe aficionadas/ aficionados who pronounce Aloe plicatilis a la Donald Duck, i.e. the correct way, if somewhat a little damp. There are at least 5 of us across North America of whom I know.

So if you were lucky enough to get a cutting (seeing where you are, I trust it will be as easy as bumbleberry pie), root it in pure pumice, if you can, full sun, and if you have it, put it on sun-exposed cement or a heating mat. I'd also do the usual in preparing a cutting (slice and cleanse with alcohol, if needed, and dust with Rootone or another rooting gel). After a week or so, be very careful with watering - do so only on a sunny morning when it's warm. Otherwise, mist the plant only. It should root fairly easily. You should be potting it up in the Spring, when it has a little time before it goes to sleep during the hot months to grow a bit in its new home.

This is a fabulous Aloe - I'm sorry I didn't grow more of it. In flower and out, a great plant, and you can keep it small.

plicate - arranged in or having folds

{{gwi:626737}}

And a wee bit o' Aloe heaven can be seen at the link.

Note - there were no pictures in this post not pilfered.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:697394}}

My computer's Websensed, so most of the time I can't see what you can see. At any rate, the link above was questionable, so here's a version of 'Aloe, I love you, won't you flower today'

{{gwi:697406}}

Thank you everybody for your instructions and wonderful posts (and humor)! :) I will go back and ask for a bit of stem with my cutting this time.

Thanks!
Nancy

As long as you're asking for a bit of stem, it wouldn't hurt to ask for a bit more - so much easier to pot, root and grow!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:697400}}

Ask for a 6" piece of stem. Set it on a bench in the shade, not deep shade. Let it sit until it tells you when it needs to be in soil. It grows in the sun but is a winter growing plant, I forgot the flowering date. Sorry, I may have, if I can find it, a piece already rooted to send to you, it came from the Vincent Price estate. My plants are potted and very old. I also have one from Michael Vassar 1968 it has narrower leaves. Because I have two clones, I may be able to get seeds if they flower at the same time . Norma

Wow, an Aloe plicatilis with provenance! Wait, two such Aloes!

Nancy, Norma reminded me that this Aloe will be fine as she describes - 'it tells you' is precisely right. Those little yellow bumps are emerging roots.

Hi Norma,

The A. plicatilis' owner wasn't keen on giving up any bits of stem (and the plant is pretty nicely formed as it is so I can't blame him too much).

Would you want to look thru my gallery and see if I have anything with pups or that I can take cuttings from to trade you for a piece of your A. plicatilis? My gallery (succulent section):

Nancy :)

Here is a link that might be useful: my succulents

Those photos remind how much Aloe ramosissima is underrated as a speciman plant. The only one of size i have seen here in the bay area was a 3 footer with a trunk over a foot wide.It was planted in a sidewalk opening. They are like living garden gnomes with personality.

When I told you the plant will let you know when to plant it, mine told me by putting out pink roots that looked like a barber's brush. When I asked how to do this, I was told to lay it down on the bench and you will know. That all that I was told. Sure enough when I saw all those roots I knew exactly what to do. I was told it also goes by the name of 'Candleabra'(spelling) tree. My two plants do look different than the one shown in the picture with the single stem, the leaves on mine don't seem to be as long as the picture shown. They are growing in filtered Western sun light in large containers. I have seen a 15 ft tree of these and no way do I want mine to grow that large. No way will I cut mine either. Norma

When I told you the plant will let you know when to plant it, mine told me by putting out pink roots that looked like a barber's brush. When I asked how to do this, I was told to lay it down on the bench and you will know. That all that I was told. Sure enough when I saw all those roots I knew exactly what to do. I was told it also goes by the name of 'Candleabra'(spelling) tree. My two plants do look different than the one shown in the picture with the single stem, the leaves on mine don't seem to be as long as the picture shown. They are growing in filtered Western sun light in large containers. I have seen a 15 ft tree of these and no way do I want mine to grow that large. No way will I cut mine either. Norma

Oh gosh, I'm sorry Norma, I misunderstood. I thought you said you may have a piece to send - my fault. I apologize for the misunderstanding! :)

Nancy,

If you can't get a limb locally, email me here and I'll try to get you a limb/plant from the San Diego area - it might not be free, though, but I would expect it to be less than a nursery would charge.