Aloe vera is a perfect plant to keep indoors or outdoors; having one available can also be convenient for its healing properties. It is a succulent plant and for this reason it can suffer when given too much water, too little or in the presence of other adverse environmental factors. One of its main problems is root rot, but it can also burn in the summer sun. If your aloe looks "down in tone", don't lose hope, you can still get it invigorated!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Repot it due to root rot
Step 1. Remove it from the current jar
One of the main causes of aloe vera death is root rot; to understand if it has hit yours, you must first take it out of the jar.
- Hold loosely the base of the aloe and the bottom of the pot, turn the latter upside down while continuing to hold the plant with the other hand; poke the bottom of the container with your hand or tap it on a tabletop (or other hard surface).
- Depending on the size of the plant, another person may need help: one holds it by the base with both hands, while the second turns the pot upside down and hits the bottom. You can also try shaking it back and forth until the plant comes loose from the edges.
- If you are still having difficulty despite using four hands, you can run a knife or spatula along the inside edge of the container to try to detach the plant, or you can push the soil out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If you don't get any results, you probably have to break the vessel, although this is a last resort.
- As you go, make sure you keep the plant as stable as possible; try to act mostly on the pot and not on the aloe. In other words, grab but don't pull the plant. By hitting the bottom of the container, the roots remain intact and it is the force of gravity that allows the aloe to escape.
Step 2. Take care of the roots
Observe them and try to understand how many are still healthy; if they are soggy, it means that they have been affected by rot and need to be removed. Anything that is not black or soft can be preserved.
- If for the most part they are healthy and the rot affects only a small area, you can still save the plant without much difficulty, but you must cut the damaged ones; you can use a sharp, sterilized knife to get rid of dead roots, but make sure you get rid of them completely.
- If almost all of the aloe has damaged roots, you will have to work harder to save it and your every effort may even be in vain. In this case, proceed by removing the largest leaves (with a knife), making sure to cut about half of the plant. This is a risky method; however, with a limited number of leaves to feed, the small yet healthy root system can provide nutrients to all of the aloe more efficiently.
Step 3. Choose a pot that is one third larger than the root system
Too much soil holds water and can lead to rot in the future, so it's better to choose a smaller one than a too large one.
- The roots of aloe vera grow horizontally and not vertically; furthermore, the plant can also become quite heavy and its weight can cause the pot to overturn if it is particularly tight. You should therefore opt for a large container rather than a deep or thin one.
- Make sure it has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom, so that too much water doesn't accumulate in the earth.
- If you live in a region with a dry climate, it is best to get a plastic one, while the clay or clay one is more suitable for cold and humid areas.
Step 4. Use a type of soil for cacti and succulents
It is a loam with a higher sand content and offers a well-draining substrate for aloe; you can find it for sale in gardening shops.
- You can also prepare a suitable type of soil for the plant yourself, mixing sand, gravel or pumice stone and earth in equal parts. Be sure to use coarse sand (such as building sand) and not fine, as it may clump and hold water rather than drain it through the pot.
- Although it is possible to use potting soil, aloe prefers a mixture of different soils; that to be invaded tends in fact to retain more humidity and can favor root rot.
Step 5. Replant aloe vera
Prepare the pot by filling it with the soil mixture and gently shake the plant to remove about a third of the soil that is stuck to the roots. Then insert it in the new pot and cover the top with more soil; make sure all root systems are covered, but don't bury the aloe deeper than it was previously.
You can also place a layer of pebbles or gravel on the soil surface to reduce water evaporation
Step 6. Do not water it immediately after repotting
The plant needs a few days to readjust to the new pot and "repair" the broken roots.
Part 2 of 3: Monitor Water Intake
Step 1. Check the terrain
You can understand if aloe needs more water by inserting your index finger a few centimeters under the earth; if this is dry, you need to water. Remember that it is a succulent plant and does not need a lot of water; if you overdo it, you can kill it.
- If you keep it outdoors, watering it every two weeks is more than enough.
- If you grow her indoors, you can give her water every three to four weeks.
Step 2. Vary the amount of water according to the season
Obviously, it needs more water in the warmer months, while it needs less in the winter. Water it less frequently in the fall and winter, especially if it's in a cool setting.
Step 3. Examine the leaves
Since it is a succulent plant, aloe keeps water in the leaves; if they tend to go limp or start to become almost transparent, you need to provide them with water.
However, these same characteristics could be signs of root rot triggered by too much moisture. Evaluate when was the last time you watered it; if you have done this recently, you should remove the aloe from the pot and check the roots for disease
Step 4. Water until the soil is just moist
Water should never settle on the surface of the earth, so proceed sparingly. Check it on a weekly or biweekly basis to check the soil moisture and see if it needs to be watered again.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the Sunburned Plant
Step 1. Check the leaves
If they are turning brown or red, it means that the plant has probably burned out in the sun.
Step 2. Transfer it
Place it in a place where it receives indirect, non-direct sunlight.
If it is in a place where it receives artificial light rather than sunlight, move it to increase the distance from the light source; you can also try to put it outdoors, to guarantee it some indirect natural light instead of that of the lamps
Step 3. Water it
Check the soil and see if you need to provide water; if the plant has been in the sun for too long, the soil is probably dry, as the water evaporated more quickly.
Step 4. Remove dead leaves
Use a sharp, sterilized knife to cut the leaves off the base; each dead leaf "consumes" the nutrients of the rest of the plant; so be sure to eliminate them, so that the healthy ones do not suffer.
