9 Aloe Vera Growing Mistakes That Are Killing Your Plant

Aloe vera plant is prominent for its medicinal properties that can grow in harsh environments, making it a perfect addition to your indoor or outdoor plants.

Though aloe vera is forgiving towards common gardening mistakes, ignoring these blunders can ruin a plant’s health and eventually kill it.

To help your aloe plant thrive it’s essential to be aware of the common pitfalls in growing this succulent.

Overwatering, inadequate sunlight, wrong potting soil and lack of sufficient nutrients are common aloe vera growing mistakes that you must avoid.

Before we jump into the specifics, it’s essential to understand that aloe vera is a desert plant at heart. This means it has evolved to handle drought, poor soil, and intense sunlight.

While this makes it challenging, it also means that your typical houseplant care routine might not work for aloe.

Aloe vera’s needs are quite different from those of other common houseplants, and treating it like one can lead to some of the issues we’ll discuss below.

9 Aloe Vera Growing Mistakes That Can Kill Your Plant

Experts say repeated overwatering is the common cause of stunted aloe vera growth.

Being a succulent plant, aloe stores water in its leaves. Watering once a week is sufficient to provide the required amount of moisture. But things get worse when you overwater aloe plants in containers.

1. Overwatering

One of the most common mistakes made by aloe vera growers is overwatering. Aloe vera, like many succulents, stores water in its leaves. This allows it to survive long periods without water, making it more tolerant of drought than excess moisture.

However, too much water can cause the roots to rot, leading to the plant’s decline.

Overwatering is often a result of treating aloe vera like a regular houseplant. Unlike tropical plants, aloe doesn’t need frequent watering.

• In fact, during the cooler months, it may only need watering once every three weeks.
• In the summer, you can water it a bit more frequently, but it’s crucial to let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Yellow leaves, root rot, mushy or soft spots on the leaves, and stunted plant growth are common signs of overwatered aloe vera plants.

If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to adjust your watering habits.

Make sure your pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape, and consider using a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for succulents.

Also Read: How to Cut Aloe Vera Plant Without Killing It?

2. Underwatering

While it’s true that aloe is drought-tolerant, it still needs water to thrive.

Neglecting to water your plant for extended periods can cause it to dry out and shrivel, eventually leading to its death.

Aloe vera’s leaves are a good indicator of its hydration levels. Healthy leaves are plump and firm, with a vibrant green colour.

If the leaves start to become thin, wrinkled, or develop brown tips, your plant is likely not getting enough water.

How to avoid underwatering?

The key to avoiding underwatering is to strike a balance. Water your aloe vera thoroughly, ensuring that the water reaches the roots, and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.

During the growing season, you may need to water your aloe once every two weeks, but always check the soil moisture before adding more water.

3. Aloe Plant with Low-Sunlight

Aloe vera is a sun-loving plant, and without adequate sunlight, it can struggle to grow and remain healthy.

If you’re growing aloe indoors, placing it in a low-light area can lead to weak, leggy growth and pale leaves.

Aloe vera requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.

If your plant isn’t getting enough light, it may start to stretch toward the nearest light source, a phenomenon known as etiolation.

This results in a lean plant with long, thin leaves that are a pale green rather than the deep, vibrant colour of a healthy aloe.

How to prevent it?

To prevent this, make sure your aloe vera is placed in a bright, sunny spot. A south- or west-facing window is ideal for indoor plants.

If you don’t have a sunny window, consider using a grow light to supplement the natural light.

Outdoors, ensure your aloe is in a location that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

Check this out: 23 Houseplants that Can Survive with Almost Zero Sunlight

4. Excess Sun Exposure

While aloe vera loves the sun, it’s possible to give it too much of a good thing. Intense, direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, can cause sunburn on the leaves. Sunburned leaves may turn brown or reddish and become dry and crispy at the edges.

This is more likely to happen if you suddenly move your aloe from a shady spot to full sun without giving it time to adjust.

If your aloe is sunburned, move it to a location where it will receive bright, indirect light or morning sun, which is less intense.

How to avoid it?

To avoid sunburn, introduce your aloe vera to direct sunlight gradually, especially if it’s been in a low-light environment.

Start by placing it in indirect light and slowly increase its exposure to direct sun over several weeks.

5. Extreme Temperatures

Aloe vera is quite sensitive to temperature extremes. As a plant native to warm, arid regions, it thrives in temperatures between 55°F and 80°F.

However, when exposed to temperatures outside of this range, particularly cold drafts or freezing conditions, aloe vera can suffer significant damage.

Cold temperatures can cause the leaves to freeze, turn brown, and become mushy.

If left in freezing conditions for too long, the plant may not recover.

Conversely, extremely high temperatures, especially when combined with intense sunlight, can lead to sunburn and dehydration.

Tip:

To keep your aloe vera healthy, maintain a stable temperature that mimics its natural environment.

Avoid placing it near drafty windows, air conditioning vents, or heaters, where temperature fluctuations are typical.

If you live in a region with cold winters, consider bringing your aloe indoors or moving it to a warmer location during the colder months.

Check this: Can You Grow Aloe Vera Plant in Water – An Ultimate Guide

6. Lack of Enough Nutrients

Aloe vera doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer, and over-fertilizing can do more harm than good.

Many gardeners make the mistake of treating aloe vera like other houseplants, applying fertilizer regularly in an attempt to promote faster growth.

However, aloe vera is a slow-growing plant, and excessive fertilizer can lead to nutrient buildup in the soil, causing root burn and other issues.

If you choose to fertilize your aloe vera, do so sparingly. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength is sufficient.

Apply it once during the growing season (spring or summer) and avoid fertilizing during the winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Signs of over-fertilization include yellowing leaves, a white crust on the soil surface, and stunted growth.

If you notice these symptoms, flush the soil with water to remove excess fertilizer salts and reduce the frequency of feeding.

7. Choosing the Wrong Container

A common mistake is planting aloe vera in a container without drainage holes.

Aloe vera is highly susceptible to root rot, and without proper drainage, water can accumulate at the bottom of the pot, leading to soggy soil and root damage.

The ideal container for aloe vera is one made of a breathable material like terracotta, which allows excess moisture to evaporate.

It should also have drainage holes to let water escape. Avoid using pots that are too large, as they can hold more soil and water than the plant needs, increasing the risk of overwatering.

When repotting your aloe vera, choose a container that’s slightly larger than the current one, providing enough room for growth without overwhelming the plant with too much soil.

8. Choosing the Wrong Potting Soil Mix

Aloe vera thrives in well-draining soil that mimics its natural habitat.

Unfortunately, many gardeners make the mistake of using regular potting soil, which retains too much moisture for this desert plant.

Using the wrong potting mix can lead to soggy roots, fungal issues, and, ultimately, the decline of your aloe vera.

Best Potting Soil

The best potting mix for aloe vera is one specifically designed for cacti and succulents.

These mixes typically contain a blend of sand, perlite, and organic matter that promotes excellent drainage while still providing the nutrients the plant needs.

You can also create your mix by combining regular potting soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage.

When repotting, make sure to fill the bottom of the container with a layer of gravel or small stones to further enhance drainage.

Also Read: Why Aloe Vera Plant Leaves are Bending?

9. Pests & Diseases

Aloe vera is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it’s not immune. Common pests that can affect aloe vera include aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.

These insects can sap the plant’s vitality, leading to weakened growth and discoloured leaves.

Diseases like root rot and leaf spot can also affect aloe vera, particularly if the plant is overwatered or exposed to high humidity.

Root rot, caused by fungi, is especially dangerous because it can go unnoticed until it’s too late.

To protect your aloe vera from pests and diseases, maintain good cultural practices.

Ensure your plant has proper drainage, avoid overwatering, and keep it in a well-ventilated area.

Regularly inspect your plant for signs of pests, such as sticky residue, webbing, or discoloured leaves, and treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

If you notice any signs of disease, such as blackened roots or brown spots on the leaves, remove the affected parts of the plant and adjust your care routine to prevent further issues.

Conclusion

Aloe vera is among those succulents that don’t demand regular attention, but, not caring to provide minimum growing essentials can kill the plant.

Proper watering, enough sun exposure, well-drained potting soil and ideal temperature need to be considered to avoid common growing mistakes of aloe vera.