Is your aloe plant feeling under the weather? Aloe vera, though usually hardy, can suffer from blackening and wilting. To revive your aloe, consider tweaking its soil, light exposure, watering schedule, or ambient temperature. Learn from garden expert Logan Hailey as she delves into the common causes behind a blackened and fading aloe plant.
Aloe vera, a perennial succulent originating from Africa’s warm and arid climates, charms with its lush leaves and versatile gel. However, even these low-maintenance plants can face challenges. Darkened leaves and ailing foliage signal distress. Let’s explore six potential causes of a black, dying aloe and solutions to nurse it back to health.
Why is My Aloe Turning Black and Dying?
To aid a struggling aloe, carefully uproot it for root inspection. Trim away any decayed roots with sanitized pruners. Consider replanting in a soil blend rich in vermiculite, pea gravel, and perlite. For convenience, opt for a cactus or succulent potting mix. Post-repotting, place your aloe in a spot offering bright but indirect sunlight. Pause watering until the soil is thoroughly dry.
6 Reasons for a Sad Aloe Vera Plant
Lush aloe vera plants are not immune to environmental changes or neglect. Blackened leaves and wilting foliage are telltale signs of distress. Pay close attention to these visual cues as they provide insights into potential issues.
When troubleshooting, address one issue at a time, bearing in mind that multiple factors can be at play. Recovery might take time, but with dedicated care, most aloe plants can bounce back.
Overwatering
Overzealous watering is a top blunder with aloe and succulents. Aloe plants despise waterlogged roots, which can culminate in root rot. Despite their hardiness, aloe vera appreciates a controlled watering schedule, mimicking their natural arid habitat.
Aloe’s succulent leaves store water, conferring them the ability to endure long dry spells. Excessive soil moisture promotes root rot, impeding water uptake and triggering leaf discoloration. Combat this by ensuring well-draining soil and avoiding overwatering to maintain your aloe’s vitality.
Here’s How to Address the Issue:
To ensure your aloe vera thrives, adjust your watering routine to permit the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Refrain from watering if the soil feels damp – only proceed if the soil feels dry several inches deep and the leaves are plump and upright.
When it’s time to water, ensure you water thoroughly until moisture drains from the bottom of the pot. In case your container lacks drainage, promptly transfer the aloe to a suitable container with proper drainage to prevent root rot.
If your aloe plant shows signs of distress after overwatering, act promptly. Trim off any damaged leaves to encourage healthy growth but refrain from over-pruning to maintain the plant’s health.
Unveiling Root Rot Woes:
Root rot typically stems from overwatering and poorly draining soil, prevalent among succulents like aloe vera. This condition occurs due to fungi infecting the roots, leading to decay and the roots’ inability to absorb nutrients and water.
Rotten roots are often easily identifiable by their dark, mushy appearance. In severe cases, a foul odor emanates from the soil. To salvage a plant from root rot, it’s crucial to act swiftly and trim away affected areas, allowing the plant to recover adequately.
Resolving Root Rot:
With a keen eye, inspect the roots and slice away any decaying sections. Allow the roots to dry before replanting in fresh, well-draining soil to prevent reinfection. For plants in the ground, assess the soil quality and drainage to promote a healthy environment for recovery.
Rejoice as new leaves emerge and existing ones regain their vitality, signaling successful recovery. Stay attentive and remove any heavily damaged leaves to foster new growth effectively.
Combatting Poor Soil Drainage:
Having aloe plants develop issues due to overwatering, root rot, or poor soil drainage can lead to a domino effect of problems. It’s crucial to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage to the plant. When you spot symptoms like blackened, dying leaves, consider repotting or transplanting them into soil with better drainage.
Aloe plants thrive in porous, well-drained soil that allows water to move through quickly. They do not fare well in heavy clay soil or overly moist compost. Opt for soil that is sandy, gravelly, and promotes good drainage. Utilizing succulent or cacti potting mixes with perlite and vermiculite can help improve drainage for your aloe plants.
How to Fix It
If you need to repot an aloe plant, carefully lift it out of its current container or garden bed by gently loosening the soil around its roots. Assess the root health and look for signs of root rot before preparing the new soil mix. Consider using a pre-blended cactus or succulent mix for optimal drainage, or create your own blend with sand, gravel, crushed rock, and perlite or vermiculite.
Before replanting the aloe, test the soil’s drainage by saturating it with water. If the water drains slowly or pools on the surface, the soil likely requires better aeration. Ensure the aloe is replanted at the same level as before to promote healthy growth.
Cold Exposure
Aloe plants are sensitive to cold temperatures, with anything below 40-55°F potentially causing them harm. Young or damaged plants are particularly vulnerable to cold exposure and may exhibit symptoms like yellowing or browning of the leaves. It’s crucial to protect aloe plants from extreme cold conditions to ensure their health.
In colder regions, consider growing cold-hardy aloe varieties such as spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) or coral aloe (Aloe striata) that can withstand cooler temperatures. If your aloe plant has been exposed to cold, move it to a warmer location immediately and monitor its recovery.
How to Fix It
If your aloe plant shows signs of cold damage, remove any excessively damaged leaves and place it in a warmer spot with indirect sunlight. With proper care and warmth, the plant may recover from the cold stress. Keep a close eye on the plant’s progress to ensure it regains its health.
Sun Scald
Sun scald is a common issue for aloe plants exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. The plant’s leaves can develop damage in the form of discoloration and unusual hues. To prevent sun scald, ensure your aloe plant is gradually introduced to bright light conditions to acclimate it effectively.
Aloe Vera, a resilient desert plant, thrives in intense sunlight but household environments often offer less harsh lighting conditions. When abruptly transitioning aloe from a relatively shaded area to direct sun exposure, its leaves can suffer from scorching, turning yellow, orange, brown, black, or even red. While recovery is possible, it requires time and patience.
To remedy this, promptly relocate your aloe to a shadier location, leaving the sun-damaged leaves attached to monitor for potential revitalization. Additionally, providing a bit more water and waiting patiently for regrowth are essential steps. Avoid overwatering and shield the recovering leaves from direct sunlight while ensuring they receive indirect light via a window or a partially shaded outdoor area.
It is crucial not to subject aloe plants to drastic lighting changes without gradual acclimation. If moving a houseplant outside, introduce it slowly to increased light levels over a few weeks. Begin by placing it near a sunlit window for a few days before gradually exposing it to more direct sunlight in a partially shielded outdoor area.
Remember, plants lack the ability to relocate naturally, hence always handle transplanting or relocation with care and gradual adjustment to prevent shock.
Underwatering
In rare cases, aloe plants can turn black or brown due to underwatering, usually in neglected container plants over a prolonged period. Signs of underwatering include dry, shriveled, and brittle appearances with dusty, moisture-deprived soil.
To combat underwatering, regularly check the soil moisture, especially for potted aloe plants, every 1-2 weeks. Water deeply yet infrequently to mimic desert-like watering conditions, allowing water to flow out of the drainage holes before pausing. Monitor the plant’s response to avoid overwatering until it absorbs the added moisture.
Final Thoughts
The primary cause of a black or dying aloe plant often stems from root rot due to overwatering or poorly draining soil. Proper watering practices are essential, allowing the soil to completely dry out between watering sessions. Additionally, drastic changes in environmental conditions, such as extreme cold or sudden shifts in sunlight exposure, can lead to similar symptoms.
If symptoms persist, check the roots for signs of rot, replant in well-draining soil, and provide a warm, protected environment for recovery while waiting for new leaves to grow.
