My Aloe Plant Is Turning Brown – Why?

Aloe vera plants and other Aloe varieties serve as beautiful succulents for any plant owner. With good light, proper drainage, and moderate temperature, the plants are low-maintenance and need minimal care.

Yet, problems can cause aloe plants to turn brown. Brown spots on the leaves or at the tips can develop for various reasons. If the situation isn’t resolved, the rest of the plant can continue to turn brown. Soon you are faced with your aloe dying!

Aloe plant turning brownPin

Fortunately, only a handful of things can cause an aloe vera plant to turn brown. Some simple solutions can nurse it back to full health.

What Happens When An Aloe Plant Turns Brown?

Several factors can contribute to the leaves of aloe plants turning brown. The most common is too little or too much moisture.

If an aloe plant starts to turn brown at the tips of the leaves, underwatering is the culprit. If soft brown spots begin to appear on the leaves, overwatering is the issue.

Other issues can also contribute to the browning of aloe plants:

  • Too much fertilizer creates excess salt in the soil and contributes to brown leaves.
  • Chemical toxicity can cause leaves to brown. The most common cause of chemical toxicity in plants is exposure to cleaning products, particularly indoors.
  • Various fungi, sun scorch, or lack of nutrients can all play a role in browning leaves.
  • Improper temperature can cause leaf browning. Aloe plants thrive between 55° – 80° degrees Fahrenheit.

While aloe plants can thrive in warm temperatures and people use aloe leaves to treat sunburn, the leaves themselves can suffer from sun damage. Too much exposure to direct sunlight can cause brown leaf tips or leaves to turn brown or red since the excess sunlight inhibits photosynthesis.

What Damage Does Turning Brown Cause To An Aloe Plant?

If the aloe is being overwatered, intervene quickly. Otherwise, the soft brown spots can spread and eventually cause the leaf to fall off.

Root rot can start if plants are always sitting in excess water.

Underwatering for a long time is also a problem. It can cause brown leaf tips, leading to stiff, rotten leaves.

When the temperature causes aloe plants to turn brown, the coloring moves from the leaves to the plant’s base.

The same is true for chemical toxicity if an affected plant is not moved to new soil.

How To Treat And Prevent Browning In Aloe Plants?

If too little water or too much water is causing your aloe plant to turn brown, there are simple solutions.

Tips When Repotting Plants

  • When repotting, check the root ball for dead roots and remove them.
  • Removing any infected leaves to ensure the health of the plant.
  • Remove the old soil
  • Repot the plant with well-draining soil. Add equal parts of sand or pumice.
  • Move your aloe to fresh soil to rescue it from any chemical toxicity that causes browning.

Watering

  • Water aloes only when the soil is dry to the touch.
  • Stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle
  • If the soil is dry, it’s an appropriate time to water the plant.
  • During the winter, reduce the amount of water given to the plant by half.

Check out these Aloe Care Tips:
When and How To Water Aloe Plants
How To Revive A Dying Aloe Plant

Location

It’s essential to find the proper spot for aloe plants to help regulate their surrounding temperature.

  • An indoor area with bright indirect light will do the trick.
  • Outdoors aloes do well in temperatures between 55° – 80° degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If overexposure to the sun is an issue, find a shadier spot with less intense sunlight.
  • This will help the plant stay healthy while still getting the proper amount of sunlight.

Conclusion

Prevent brown spots from cropping up on aloe leaves by:

  • Providing the proper amount of water
  • Planting it in the right soil
  • Keeping it in the proper temperature range
  • Giving your Aloe the right lighting

If brown spots start to occur on your aloe plant, don’t panic. Simple solutions can nip the problem in the bud before it becomes a real issue for the plant.

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