Buzz
Aloe Vera is an excellent plant to grow both outdoors and indoors. This herb is highly valued for its healing properties. As a succulent, Aloe Vera can suffer from diseases caused by overwatering, underwatering, or other environmental factors. Root rot is one of the most common issues Aloe Vera plants face, but they can also suffer from leaf scorch. If your Aloe Vera plant appears unhealthy, don’t lose hope! There are ways to save it!
Steps
Repotting a Plant with Root Rot
Remove the Aloe Vera plant from its current pot. One of the most common reasons Aloe Vera plants die is root rot. To diagnose this issue, the first step is to carefully take the plant out of its pot.
- Gently hold the base of the plant and the bottom of the pot. Tilt the pot upside down while supporting the plant with your other hand. Tap the bottom of the pot or knock it against a hard surface like a table edge.
- Depending on the size of the plant, you may need assistance. One person can hold the base of the plant with both hands while the other tilts and taps the pot. You can also shake the pot repeatedly until the plant loosens.
- If removing the plant proves difficult, use a trowel or knife to loosen the soil around the inner edges of the pot. Alternatively, push some soil out through the drainage hole at the bottom. If all else fails, you may need to break the pot, but this should be a last resort.
- When extracting the Aloe Vera plant, avoid applying force to the plant itself. Focus all actions on the pot to minimize disturbance to the plant. In other words, hold the plant gently without pulling. Tapping the pot will help keep the root system intact, and gravity will help the plant slide out.
Care for the roots. Inspect the root system and determine how much of it is still healthy. Mushy roots are a sign of root rot and must be removed. Roots that are not blackened or mushy are still healthy and can be retained.
- If the majority of the roots are intact and only a small portion is dead or mushy, the plant can be saved relatively easily, but the damaged roots must be trimmed. Use a sterilized, sharp knife to cleanly remove the dead roots.
- If most of the root system is damaged, the effort required will be greater, and the plant may not survive. In this case, you can cut off the largest leaves (using a knife), removing about half of the plant. This is a risky approach, but if only a few leaves remain, the limited healthy roots can still transport enough nutrients to sustain the plant.
Choose a pot that is one and a half times the size of the root system. Excess soil can retain water and lead to future root rot, so a smaller pot is better than a larger one.
- Aloe Vera roots grow more horizontally than vertically. The plant can also become quite heavy and tip over a small pot. Therefore, opt for a wide pot rather than a narrow or deep one.
- Select a pot with multiple drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from pooling in the soil.
- Plastic pots are ideal for dry climates, while ceramic or clay pots are better suited for cooler, more humid regions.
Use soil suitable for cacti or succulents. This type of soil has a higher sand content and provides excellent drainage. You can find it at gardening centers.
- You can also create your own Aloe Vera soil mix by combining equal parts sand, gravel, or pumice with soil. Ensure you use coarse sand (construction sand) rather than fine sand, as fine sand can compact and retain water instead of allowing it to drain.
- While regular potting soil can be used for Aloe Vera, the plant will thrive better with a custom mix. Standard potting soil often retains too much moisture, leading to root rot.
Repot the Aloe Vera plant. Fill the pot with the soil mixture and gently shake the plant to remove about one-third of the soil clinging to the roots. Place the plant in the newly prepared pot and add more soil mix, but do not bury the plant deeper than it was in the previous pot.
- You can also spread a layer of gravel or small stones on top of the soil to help reduce water evaporation.
Do not water immediately after repotting. The Aloe Vera plant needs a few days to adjust to its new pot and repair any broken roots.
Monitor Watering Levels
Check the soil. You can determine when to water the plant by inserting your finger a few centimeters into the soil. Dry soil indicates that the plant needs watering. Aloe Vera is a succulent and does not require frequent watering. Overwatering can kill the plant!
- If the plant is outdoors, watering once every two weeks is sufficient.
- For indoor plants, watering every three to four weeks is adequate.
Adjust watering based on the season. Aloe Vera requires more water during hot months and less during colder seasons. Reduce watering in autumn and winter, especially if the plant is in a cooler environment.
Inspect the leaves. As a succulent, Aloe Vera stores water in its leaves. If you notice the leaves drooping and becoming translucent, the plant may need water.
- However, root rot can exhibit similar symptoms but is caused by overwatering. Recall when you last watered the plant. If it was recently, you may need to remove the plant from its pot and check the roots.
Water until the soil is just moist. Avoid letting water pool on the surface, so water sparingly. Continue checking the plant weekly or bi-weekly by testing the soil's moisture level to determine if watering is needed.
Caring for a Sunburned Plant
Inspect the leaves. If the Aloe Vera leaves turn brown or red, it may indicate that the plant has suffered from sunburn.
Relocate the plant. Move the plant to an area with indirect sunlight instead of direct sun exposure.
- If the plant is usually under artificial light, move it further away from the light source. You can also take the plant outdoors to allow it to receive some natural, indirect sunlight instead of artificial light.
Water the plant. Check the soil to determine if the plant needs watering. Typically, the soil will dry out faster under excessive sunlight due to increased evaporation.
Remove withered leaves. Use a sterilized, sharp knife to cut off the leaves at the base. Withered leaves drain nutrients from other parts of the plant, so removing them ensures the rest of the plant remains healthy.
Tips
- Instead of plucking leaves whenever you need Aloe Vera, use a sharp knife to cut the leaves close to the base. The plant will heal faster if the cut is clean and precise.
