If your aloe vera leaves have been dropping, getting mushy, or getting discolored, they may be dying. Here’s how you can save it!
Though aloe vera is quite a hardy, little succulent, sometimes your care regimen may not align with the plant’s demands and care requirements. In such a case, you might find your aloe vera dropping leaves, the leaves turning yellow or brown, or even getting mushy. These could result from common reasons like overwatering, root rot, and sunburn, and you might feel like your aloe vera is dying! In this article, you will learn all about how to diagnose your plant’s problem and save your dying aloe vera.
How To Save A Dying Aloe Vera Plant
1) In Case Your Aloe Vera is Overwatered or Underwatered
Like every other succulent, Aloe vera stores water in its leaves. If you start seeing the leaves becoming swollen or turning yellow or brown, you’re probably dealing with overwatering. If you notice the leaves puckering, dropping off, or even becoming transparent, your plant probably needs water.
Solution:
- If your Aloe plant shows wilting or dark, watery leaves, check for root rot by removing the plant and inspecting the roots. Brown or black roots indicate root rot. Trim damaged roots with clean, sterilized scissors and repot in well-draining soil, preferably for cacti or succulents. Ensure the pot is appropriately sized and avoid overwatering—water every 3-4 weeks indoors and every 2 weeks outdoors. Never water immediately after repotting.
- For dry, wrinkled leaves or brown tips due to underwatering, start watering weekly or bi-weekly, but do so lightly. Water thoroughly, ensuring all excess water drains out and none remains on the soil’s surface. Check soil moisture by pressing your finger a few inches down; if dry, water the plant.
- Adjust watering according to the season—more in warmer months, less in cooler months.
2) If Your Aloe Vera Is Sunburnt
The first symptom you will notice if your aloe vera has suffered sun damage is that the leaves will turn brown or red. You might also see some dead leaves if your aloe vera receives excessive sunlight.
Solution:
- For each leaf that has suffered sun damage, get a sharp, sterilized knife and cut away the leaf from its base. This step is necessary so that the dead leaves do not continue taking nutrients away from other healthier parts of the plant. This will ensure that the rest of your plant doesn’t suffer.
- You must also relocate your plant to an area where it will only receive bright, indirect sunlight instead of direct sunlight. If you plan to relocate your plant to an outdoor location, acclimatize the plant gradually to more and more sunlight.
- Water your plant after checking the soil and determining whether your plant needs more water. It’ll likely be so if your plant has been receiving too much sunlight and would have undergone heat stress.
3) If Your Aloe Vera Suffers Cold Damage
While it’s unlikely that you will see cold damage in aloe vera plants grown indoors, it is a possibility if you’re growing the plant outdoors. Since aloes are very sensitive to cold, not bringing them inside as the frost sets in, can make it frozen and lead plant parts to get dried.
Solution:
- Naturally growing in tropical climates with warm temperatures, aloes cannot tolerate anything below 40°F or 5°C. If your aloe has frozen and is showcasing dried parts, you must first relocate it to a warm and bright spot. But avoid direct sunlight.
- Gently cut or trim away the damaged and dried parts.
- If your plant has been damaged heavily, remove it from its pot to examine the roots. If you see infected roots, cut them out before repotting the plant into a fresh potting mix designed for succulents.
4) If Your Plant is Infected With Pests or Diseases
Aloe vera plants, like other houseplants, can fall victim to pests and diseases. If your plant care has been spot on but it’s still struggling, pests like aphids and mites might be the culprits. Look for white, fuzzy, sticky growth on the undersides of leaves—likely caused by mealybugs releasing honeydew. These infestations, along with fungal infections, can severely harm your aloe, but with the right methods, you can help your plant recover.
Solution:
- Clean the leaves with a mild solution of soap and water.
- You can also clean the leaves with a cotton swab or paper towel dipped in a 70% concentration of isopropyl alcohol and water. Neem oil or a mild fungicide can also work wonders.
- Remember to monitor your plant regularly for decaying plant parts that must be removed from pots regularly to avoid creating a habitat for insect intruders.
