Aloe vera plants are popular houseplants, appreciated for their striking appearance and ease of care. However, it can be concerning when an aloe begins to turn brown and soft. This change indicates stress, and understanding the causes is key to restoring health. This article explores the reasons and provides guidance on how to address this issue.
Understanding Why Your Aloe is Brown and Soft
One of the most frequent reasons an aloe plant develops brown, soft, or mushy leaves is overwatering, which often leads to root rot. Aloe plants are succulents, adapted to arid conditions, and their leaves store a significant amount of water. When the soil remains excessively wet, roots are deprived of oxygen and decay. This decay can cause the leaves to become discolored, often turning yellow or brown, and develop a mushy, water-soaked texture. A foul odor from the soil can also signal root rot.
Aloe plants are also susceptible to damage from extreme cold. Exposure to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause plant cells to freeze and rupture, leading to soft, mushy, and discolored leaves that may turn brown or black. This cellular damage can make the leaves appear translucent or glass-like before they become soft. If prolonged, the damage can be extensive.
Fungal or bacterial infections can also result in browning and softening of aloe leaves. These infections frequently arise as secondary problems, often following overwatering or physical damage. Signs of infection may include soft, discolored spots that gradually spread across the plant tissue. Fungi, in particular, thrive in consistently moist conditions, exacerbating issues caused by excessive watering.
How to Revive Your Aloe
Addressing Root Rot
If overwatering and root rot are suspected, immediate action is necessary. Carefully remove the aloe plant from its pot and gently brush away as much soil as possible from the roots. Inspect the root system; healthy roots are white and firm, while rotten roots appear brown and feel mushy or slimy. Using clean, sterilized scissors or a sharp knife, trim away all affected roots, cutting back to healthy tissue. Remove any severely damaged, yellow, or brown leaves, as these will not recover and drain the plant’s energy.
After trimming, allow the plant to air dry for a day or two to let cut surfaces form a callus, which helps prevent further infection. Repot the aloe in fresh, dry, well-draining succulent or cactus soil in a clean pot with drainage holes. Avoid watering for at least a week to allow the plant to adjust and begin developing new roots.
Addressing Cold Damage
For aloe plants suffering from cold damage, severely affected parts (mushy or black) cannot be salvaged and should be carefully removed. Move the plant to a warmer, stable environment, ideally between 55°F (13°C) and 80°F (27°C), away from cold drafts. While damaged leaves will not recover, the plant may produce new growth if the central core remains healthy. Recovery can be slow, requiring patience.
Addressing Fungal or Bacterial Infections
When fungal or bacterial issues are evident, carefully remove all visibly affected parts of the plant using sterilized tools. This helps contain the infection’s spread. Increasing air circulation and reducing humidity can create an environment less conducive to pathogen growth. For some fungal problems, natural remedies like diluted neem oil or a cinnamon sprinkle on the soil may be beneficial, but severe infections might render the plant irrecoverable.
Preventing Future Browning and Softening
Proper watering is foundational for preventing future browning and softening. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. Check soil moisture by inserting a finger about two inches deep; water only when it feels dry. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the roots.
Adequate light exposure is also important for aloe health. These plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, receiving about 6 to 8 hours daily. Placing them near a south or west-facing window is ideal. Too little light can make the plant weak and more susceptible to issues like overwatering, as the soil dries more slowly.
Using a well-draining soil mix specifically formulated for cacti and succulents is essential, as standard potting soil can retain too much moisture. Such mixes often contain perlite, sand, or lava rock to enhance drainage. Selecting a pot with drainage holes made from porous materials like terracotta can also help prevent waterlogging.
Maintaining stable temperatures is another preventative measure. Aloe plants prefer temperatures between 55°F (13°C) and 80°F (27°C). Protect them from cold drafts, sudden temperature drops, or exposure below 50°F (10°C), which can cause significant damage. Good air circulation around the plant also helps deter fungal issues by reducing humidity near the foliage and soil surface.