Aloe plants are quite hardy, but they can be finicky and more susceptible to certain problems than others. When your Aloe vera plant begins to droop, develop mushy leaves, or turn yellow and brown, it’s time to alter your plant care routine. They are so easy to grow that many overlook the importance of properly caring for them and providing the right environment for them to thrive.
Whether you are re-growing your first Aloe or re-growing one that you have let go of over the years, there are some essentials that this plant requires to thrive. If you follow these simple steps for reviving a dying Aloe Vera, your plant will be revived.
To Revive Aloe Plant, Identify the Problem
The first and most crucial step to reviving a dying Aloe Plant is identifying the root cause.
Aloe Vera is a hardy plant that doesn’t require much care. Aloe leaves may die from time to time as part of their natural cycle. However, dying leaves can sometimes result in the death of the entire plant. The average lifespan of an Aloe Vera plant is 12-14 years. They are simple to care for and can survive neglect. However, continued negligence can result in death before the animal’s lifespan is over. You must investigate the causes and attempt to resurrect them.
1. Overwatering
A succulent that has been overwatered is a common sight. Aloe plants, in particular, are notorious for being overwatered. Like other succulents and cacti, Aloe plants store water in their leaves. This water is slowly released into the soil, allowing it to withstand prolonged droughts.
Aloe Vera thrives in dry conditions. They can even go for days without water because they store it in their leaves. As a result, they do not require frequent watering.
If you keep watering them without letting the soil dry, the plant will absorb too much moisture and become overwatered. Furthermore, overwatering Aloes for an extended period will cause root rot and browning of the leaves. And your plant may die if the situation worsens.
2. Increase The Amount Of Time Your Aloe Is Exposed To Sunlight.
Planting Aloe Vera indoors may add beauty to your home, but it may inhibit plant growth if certain conditions are not met. Aloe is a plant that thrives and becomes very healthy when exposed to sunlight. If your aloe has been sitting in a damp spot for a long time, consider exposing it to the sun.
Place the aloe plant in direct sunlight for 4-6 hours daily. Without enough sunlight, your succulent plant will stretch and lose its appeal. However, as much as it requires light, it may not enjoy prolonged direct sunlight. It may topple over as the stems deteriorate over time.
3. Sunburnt Aloe Plant
If the leaves of your Aloe vera plant turn brown or red, it may be sunburned. Cut the leaf away from the plant at the base with a sharp, sterilized knife. Dead leaves take nutrients from other parts of the plant, so remove them, so the rest of your plant doesn’t suffer. Next, change your plant’s location to receive indirect rather than direct sunlight. If you want to move your plant outside, gradually increase the sunlight it receives.
If your plant is used to receiving artificial light rather than sunlight, reposition it, so there is more space between it and the light source. You can also try moving it outside to get indirect natural light instead of artificial light.
Examine the soil to see if your plant requires watering. If your plant is exposed to too much sunlight, the soil will likely dry because the water evaporates more quickly, and the plant may suffer heat stress.
4. Replace the Soil If It Has Drainage Issues and Is Deficient In Nutrients.
Aloes, in general, do not require highly nutritious soil. They can thrive even in poor soil. However, a lack of certain nutrients can cause your plant to die. The plant will turn pale as a result of this deficiency. The leaves will wither, and the plant will die over time. Soil drainage is also critical. Because they naturally grow in sandy soil that does not retain moisture, you must replicate the same growing medium.
If the soil does not drain properly, the roots will remain wet, resulting in root rot. This, in turn, will kill the plant. To save the plant from such conditions, replace the soil. If the only issue is drainage, improve it by adding perlite, coarse sand, and gravel. If the issue is nutrition, you may need to alter the soil.
5. Remove Dead Leaves
Dead leaves tend to draw nutrients from the plant’s other healthy parts. They also have an impact by infecting other parts of the plant, which can eventually die. To avoid harming the rest of the plant, use a sharp knife to cut the leaf away at the base.
Cutting back dead leaves encourages the growth of more aloe leaves and aids the plant’s recovery. Don’t cut broken leaves too quickly; let them sit for a few days after they’ve broken. These will allow the leaves to form calli, which will aid in the hardening of the leaves on the outside.
6. How To Revive a Frozen Aloe Plant
During the cold winter months, aloe plants are susceptible to freezing. Although Aloe plants can withstand temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit, they will begin to die if the temperature falls below that level. Frost damage to an aloe plant can appear in a variety of ways.
The leaves may turn brown or yellow, and their texture may change from firm and leathery to squishy and mushy. If your Aloe plant has frost damage, you must take action to save it.
Here are some suggestions for reviving a frozen Aloe plant:
- Place the plant somewhere warmer. If you can’t move it indoors, try moving it to a more sunny location.
- Any brown or yellow leaves should be removed.
- Water your plant only when it shows signs of life, such as new growth. Freezing water will do more harm than good to your plant.
- When temperatures rise above freezing, move the plant to a sunny window or outside if possible. The warmth will hasten its recovery, and new growth should emerge within a few weeks.
- Do not fertilize a frozen Aloe plant. Fertilizing a frozen or stressed plant can be detrimental.
7. Discard Remaining Healthy Leaves For Propagation
Despite the numerous treatments available, the health condition can deteriorate. The leaves become discolored and show signs of withering over time. At this point, efforts to save the plant may be futile. In this case, the issue could be hidden beneath the soil.
Cutting off any healthy remaining plant leaves for propagation is the most effective option. Aloe Vera can be propagated quickly through leaf cuttings, which may be the only way to save it. Cutting some healthy leaves may also aid in producing different plants at no additional cost.
Some plants overstay in the shade for too long, causing the leaves to become too weakened to stand back up again. No amount of sunlight can save them at this point. The only effective way to keep such plants alive is through propagation.
8. Check For Pests And Diseases
Infestations can be caused by prolonged damp and dry conditions combined with a hot or cold climate. Aphids, mealybugs, aloe mites, and spider mites thrive in extremely dry or wet environments. They suck the plant’s sap, causing it to become discolored, pale, weak, lifeless, and prone to disease.
Aloe mites cause cancerous growth in the plant and eventually kill it. The infestation will not kill the plant until the damage level reaches 50%.
You can always bring the plant back with the right and immediate steps.
To save a dying plant from pest infestation, do the following:
- To kill them, apply neem oil to the infected area.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the infected area to weaken and kill the hard-shelled pests.
- Stop watering and expose pests to bright filtered sunlight to treat pests that prefer wet conditions. It will leave your plant once the soil dries.
- Give the plant a thorough shower to get rid of pests that thrive in dry environments.
- If the infestation is severe, use insecticidal soaps and pesticides to treat it.
- You can also release ladybugs and mantis to feed on the soft-bodied insects.
To eliminate diseases:
- Isolate the plant to keep it from spreading.
- Remove any damaged plant parts and dispose of them in the trash. Never use them as compost or throw them near your garden.
- Use fungicides to eliminate the spores and prevent the fungi from recurring.
- If the disease is still in its early stages, neem oil can help eliminate it.
- You’ll also need to repot the plant with new soil and a new container because the old ones became contaminated.
- You can also make your fungicides, such as copper-based fungicides or those made with baking soda.
Aloe Vera will only be appealing if properly cared for; otherwise, you may not want to keep it in your home. When the color fades, and the leaves shrink, the aloe plant loses its attractiveness. Learning how to revive a dying Aloe plant can be simple if you know what to look for and how to solve these common problems.
Aloe plants are relatively easy to care for and are ideal for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind indoor plant. You can bring your Aloe plant back to life with a little effort! But don’t worry if your Aloe plant is beyond saving; you can always propagate it to create a new plant.