When it comes to magical plants, aloe vera comes first. It is a delightful plant that is used in many beauty products and DIY hacks.
The benefits of aloe vera are endless and it is a must-have plant for your garden. When you see a problem in your aloe vera plant, it is really pitiful especially when its leaves turn soft, limp, and brown.
We know it is really distressing because aloe vera has wide use in different things. Who is the culprit behind it and how to save the aloe vera plant? The one and most common problem is overwatering your aloe vera plant.
It is the main cause of turning its leaves brown and soft. It can be dangerous to use this kind of aloe vera on your skin or hair. Nutrient deficiency in the soil, over-fertilization, fungus, and excessive sunlight are some common causes.
Aloe vera is really easy to grow and you can propagate it at your home with just a little effort. If you are growing aloe vera plants for beauty purposes, then you should take care of your plant very cautiously.
To be honest, the aloe vera plant does not require too much attention, but if it gets dry or brown then you must pay attention to it.
Green aloe vera leaves are the biggest sign of healthy and useful leaves and you can use them in various skin and hair care products.
You can also drink aloe vera juice because of its multiple benefits. Today, we are here to help you that how you can save your aloe vera plant from turning brown and soft.
Main Causes of Browning and Softening Aloe Vera:
When you notice that your aloe vera leaves are turning spineless and brown, you should take it as a warning because your aloe vera plant is in some serious trouble. You need to find out the real cause of this problem and you can do this by reading this guide.
i). Overwatering:
Providing excess water to the aloe vera plants can cause browning and mushy leaves. There is a maximum chance that your aloe plant will die if you are very careless in waterlogging.
Excessive water supply is not good for the aloe vera plants because it is a native plant of Africa and this region is arid or semi-arid.
So, we can say that overwatering is the main culprit behind its dying. As a result, aloe vera turns soft and brown which is useful at all. Another way to find the poor condition of aloe vera is it is drooping.
Solution:
1. In order to save your aloe vera plant from turning brown and soft, dig it up immediately.
2. Trim the soft, brown, and droopy leaves without delay.
3. Keep aside the aloe vera plant for 2 to 3 days for drying out.
4. Prepare a new pot and replant it.
5. Keep this pot in a sheltered area.
6. Reviving process will be started within 20 days. It takes little effort and you will get a healthy aloe vera plant within a couple of weeks.
ii). Under-watering:
If you think aloe vera doesn’t require water then you are wrong. It needs water to grow but in little amount. It is true that they flourish or propagate well in less moisture soil or condition, but they need water.
If you notice brown leaf tips then it means you are not providing enough water to your aloe vera plant.
You will experience hard and thick aloe vera leaves if they are not getting adequate water. It makes the damage even worse and the brown area will make a spot on the entire leave. Shrinking, shriveling, and wrinkling are some common signs of under-watering.
Solution:
1. Water your aloe vera plant on an urgent basis. When the water comes out from the drainage hole it means you have provided enough moisture to the soil. This amount of water will keep your aloe vera happy for more than 20 days.
2. If you are providing enough water but not seeing encouraging results then check the drainage hole.
3. Check the quality of soil after every 20 to 25 days especially on warmer days.
iii). Chemical Deposits:
It is a common rule that you can’t use tap water on plants especially aloe vera. Tap water contains different chemicals like chlorine, fluoride, and other rusty particles. They are the big reason for turning aloe vera brown.
Solution:
1. Do not use tap or softened water if you really want to protect your garden or plants. Distilled or filtered water is best for this purpose. They are good for nourishing your plants.
2. If the toxicity level is a bit low, then you can’t take risks.
3. If you are seeing browning and softening problems in your plant, then repot it with fresh potting mix.
iv). Deposit of Diseases:
Diseases like bacterial or fungal can lead to many problems in aloe vera and they can be the most major reason for browning and mushy leaves.
If you see any leaf spots then it is a clear sign of fungal disease. At the start, they appear as dark green spots and turn brown and then black with time. Sooty mold is another fungal disease and the biggest sign of this disease is pests like scales, aphids, or whiteflies.
Solution:
1. For every disease, you have to use a different solution. For fungal diseases, anti-fungal are the best solutions.
2. A good pesticide is suitable for getting rid of sooty mold. If you want to use less toxic pesticides then you can go for horticulture oil or neem oil.
3. Try to cut down or trim diseased roots or fronds.
4. In order to get rid of any disease, you can utilize organic methods like tea tree oil and baking soda.
v). Rust Spots:
When an aloe vera plant experiences any fungal infection, its leaves get crowded with rust spots, especially during summer. It mostly happens due to low sunlight. These spots are generally red or brown and you can easily identify them.
Solution:
1. According to professional gardeners, these rust spots on aloe vera are not dangerous if they are in fewer amounts. If they are in large quantity then it’s a warning that your plant is getting sick.
2. You can use dishwasher spray in order to wash off these rusty spots.
3. Try to keep your aloe vera leaves dry so water the soil, not the plant.
4. There are so many simple ways to get rid of fungal as well as bacterial diseases.
vi). Sunburn:
Many gardeners and horticulture experts are firm believers that your aloe vera plant flourishes in indirect but bright light. If you keep it in the direct sunlight, then there is a risk of sunburn.
It damages the leaves especially the tips of aloe. Try to keep your aloe vera in shadow especially during hot weather. Direct sun exposure can cause wilt and mushy leaves.
Solution:
1. If your aloe vera plant is in direct contact with the sun, then remove its location instantly. You can move it indoors or shaded area. Check the moisture of soil occasionally and if it is dried out then watering is the best solution.
2. In summer, an adequate amount of moisture is good for the healthy growth of aloe plants.
3. You should trim sunburned parts in order to avoid further damage.
vii). Low Light:
Too low light and much light will damage your plants particularly aloe vera. Your aloe vera plant will feel happy and healthy in a sunny and bright spot without any exposure to direct sunlight.
In this environment, its photosynthesis process becomes fast and helps to stunt the growth of your plant. If you keep your aloe plant in just a dark area then it may cause brown and droopy aloe vera leaves.
Solution:
1. It is crucial to find the best spot or location for keeping your aloe vera plant that is airy, bright, and indirect to the sun. According to experts, south and west-facing windows are just suitable.
2. A calibrated light meter can help to achieve the best results.
3. Resolve nutrient deficiencies, edema, and over-watering, and under-watering issues.
ix). Temperature Effect:
The origin of aloe vera is an arid and dry region so it can survive high temperatures. It grows quickly in 15 to 25 degrees centigrade.
In a colder climate, there is a chance that aloe vera leaves turn pale and droopy. Sudden and severe high temperatures can also lead to many issues.
Solution:
1. You can save your aloe vera plant from the effect of temperature by keeping it in the house. The indoor climate is perfect for aloe vera during winter.
2. Avoid direct sun exposure, window seals, and other similar effects in order to save your aloe vera from damages.
x). Frost Damage:
For aloe vera, frosty weather is unbearable and they can’t grow in this kind of environment. If you keep your aloe vera plant in this condition, then you will notice that your aloe vera leaves becoming yellow and plump. They can’t tolerate cold shock and will eventually die.
Solution:
1. Find a frost-free spot for keeping aloe vera. Indoor is the ideal place for aloe vera and some other plants during frost.
2. Try to keep your aloe vera plant at bay from the air-conditioner, cold drafts, leaky windows, and other sources.
3. You can provide insulation to aloe vera leaves in frosty conditions.
xi). Humidity:
Humidity is one of the major reasons for the negative impact on aloe vera.
From chemical toxicity to over-fertilization, sunburn, and overwatering, humidity has a strong impact and it is unavoidable. Aloe vera can’t survive in low humidity and even high humidity.
Solution:
1. In order to solve the humidity problem, improve the circulation of air so that the humidity level stays normal.
2. You can take the help of mist if you are living in low humidity weather.
3. Place your aloe vera plant at the side of other plants in order to resolve the humidity issue.
Summary:
If you are growing aloe vera on a large scale then these solutions will help to save your plants from problems.
Growing aloe vera is not difficult if you know the necessary precautions and solutions. With this guide, you can easily protect, revive, or grow your aloe vera in an effortless way.