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You’ve likely heard about the incredible resilience of aloe vera plants. So, what does it mean when your aloe vera’s leaves start to droop? Don’t worry! Drooping leaves are actually quite common and can result from various reasons. Check out the list we’ve compiled below to find a suitable solution. With a little care and attention, your aloe vera can perk up and thrive once again.
Steps
The plant is overwatered.
Excess water retention can cause root rot, leading to drooping leaves. Use your fingernail to check if the soil is soggy or waterlogged; if so, the plant is overwatered. Stop watering to allow the plant to dry out.
- Most aloe vera plants only need watering every few days or even once a week.
The plant is underwatered.
Feel the soil to check its moisture level and water when it’s dry. Aloe vera thrives in dry conditions, but insufficient water can cause its leaves to curl and wilt. Water the plant thoroughly until the soil is soaked, and stop once water drains from the bottom of the pot.
- Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again.
The environment is too cold.
Your aloe vera may droop if the temperature drops below 10°C. Aloe vera prefers hot, dry climates, so cold weather can cause it to wilt. If possible, move the plant indoors or to a warmer room. Typically, the plant will recover within a few days after being placed in a warmer environment.
- If moving the plant indoors isn’t an option during extreme cold, wrap wool or foam around the base to protect the roots from freezing.
The plant is overheated.
If the weather is hot and dry for several days, your aloe vera may start curling or shriveling. Although aloe vera loves heat, temperatures exceeding 35°C can harm the plant! If possible, move it to a shaded or cooler area. If relocation isn’t an option, increase watering to hydrate the leaves and prevent them from shriveling.
- If your area experiences unusually hot or dry weather, consider adjusting your watering schedule and checking on the plant more frequently.
The plant isn’t getting enough light.
Place your aloe vera where it can receive 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth. You might notice the leaves drooping in low-light conditions. If possible, move the plant to a brighter spot indoors or outdoors.
- If your aloe vera is on a windowsill, rotate the pot weekly to ensure all sides of the plant receive equal sunlight. The plant may lean toward one side if it’s consistently exposed to sunlight from that direction.
The plant needs support.
Provide support for your aloe vera as it grows to help the leaves stand upright. If all the leaves are drooping, insert 3 or 4 bamboo sticks into the soil around the base. Have someone gather the leaves and hold them upright while you tie a string around the sticks to connect them. Wrap additional strings around the sticks to create a supportive cage around the plant.
- The leaves will be supported by the bamboo sticks and surrounding strings.
- Leave the sticks in place until the roots stabilize and the leaves begin to stand upright on their own.
- If you prefer not to make your own support, you can use a small pre-made plant support. Insert the support legs into the soil around the aloe vera.
The pot is too shallow.
Transfer the aloe vera to a deeper, well-draining pot. Drooping leaves might simply indicate that the plant has grown too large, with a heavy top and roots unable to grow deep enough to stabilize it. Find a pot at least as deep as the root system and replant it. Remember to use loose, well-draining soil.
- Terracotta pots are ideal for aloe vera. Their porous material allows the soil to dry out between waterings, preventing root rot.
Train the plant if you want upright leaves.
Most aloe vera plants tend to grow slightly outward. If you prefer upright leaves, start training the plant while it’s young by wrapping thin, plastic-coated wire around the outer leaves. Use wire available at gardening stores. Gently pull the wire ends closer together to gather the leaves and encourage them to grow upward. Leave the wire in place until the plant begins to grow in the desired direction.
- Keep the wire in place for at least a few days – you’re training the plant to grow as you want, so removing the wire too soon may cause it to spread outward again.
Separate offshoots from the main plant.
Some aloe vera plants produce offshoots that grow outside the pot. This isn’t a problem, but you may need to separate the pups growing at the base. Use a small garden trowel to carefully remove the offshoots and their roots from the mother plant. Let the pups dry in a warm room for 2 days to allow the roots to harden. Then, plant them in a slightly larger pot.
- Sometimes, you can simply loosen the soil and lift the pups without using a trowel.
- Some aloe varieties don’t grow tall and upright like others. Your plant might be a clustering variety that grows close to the ground.
The plant is infested with pests.
Inspect the leaves for pests like scale insects or mealybugs. These insects suck moisture from the leaves, causing them to curl or wilt. Sometimes, spraying the plant with water is enough to dislodge the pests. If not, apply a non-toxic insecticide like neem oil to the leaves to eliminate the infestation as soon as possible.
The plant has a fungal infection.
Check the roots near the outer leaves to see if they break easily. Rotten roots will appear black and mushy. If the aloe vera can be easily lifted, you’ll notice most of the roots are soft and remain in the pot. The roots may also emit a foul odor. Unfortunately, root rot is difficult to treat, so you’ll need to replace the plant and reduce watering.
- If you want to save the plant, remove it from the pot, trim away all diseased roots, and replant it in fresh, well-draining soil.
