Aloe plants are very tough, but one of the most common reasons home gardeners kill them is by unknowingly overwatering them.
Aloes are succulents that have thrived in the driest places on earth for thousands of years. They have adapted to living on very limited water because they are able to store it in their bodies and leaves for when the drought comes. Thus, watering them weekly is usually too much.
You can save an overwatered aloe by transferring it to a new container with new soil. The new pot must have drainage holes at the bottom, and the soil mix needs to include sand and perlite to make it more porous.
Aloe plants are very easy to grow, and as long as you provide them with their basic needs, they will be happy and content.
How To Tell If An Aloe is Overwatered
An aloe plant is evergreen, with stiff leaves that grow upright. When it is not healthy, you can usually soon see the effects on its leaves. Here are some signs to watch out for if you suspect an overwatered aloe:
The plant has root rot
When an aloe plant is overwatered, the first parts of its body to be affected are its roots. Succulent roots need well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes at the bottom. This is because succulents do not like their roots in perpetually damp soil. The roots need airy soil that allows them to dry and breathe. Roots that are always soaked in wet soil will drown and die. This is called root rot, and it will soon affect the rest of the plant if not addressed immediately. Root rot also makes the plant more susceptible to fungal and bacterial problems.
Aloe roots with root rot will look brown or even black upon inspection, and will smell like rotten vegetables.
The plant’s stem is mushy
As the root rot makes its way up the plant, the stem will become mushy and soft. The excess water that the plant has absorbed will cause the stem and leaves to look plump but weak. It is often difficult to remedy an overwatered plant if the effects have reached the stem, but it is not impossible.
The plant’s leaves are turning yellow or brown
The most obvious sign of an overwatered plant can be observed in its leaves. If the plant’s leaves are discolored and wilting, chances are it is overwatered.
Remember that these plants’ natural habitat is desert, and they are completely fine with being watered inconsistently. If the soil in the pot is always saturated with water, the plant’s leaves will turn yellow due to lack of nutrients. Over time, the yellow leaves will turn brown and wilt.
How To Save An Overwatered Aloe Plant
Remove the plant from its old container
Remove the aloe gently from the pot to make sure that you cause as little as possible trauma or damage to the roots and the plant. If you need to use a trowel, run it around the edges of the pot to help dislodge the plant. If the roots are holding on too tightly to the pot, you may need to break the pot to free the roots.
When you finally get the plant out of the pot, shake off any soil on the roots to properly expose them, so you can examine them properly.
Check the roots
Examine the roots and identify any dead or dying roots. They are either brown or black in color and emit a smell similar to rotten vegetation.
Using a clean knife or scissors, cut off the rotten parts of the roots. Make sure you clean off the knife or scissors in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution after each cut. This is so you do not inadvertently infect the healthy roots.
If there are leaves or part of the stem that look rotten as well, you are better off cutting those too. This will allow the remaining roots to concentrate on supporting a healthy plant.
Use fungicide on the roots
A three percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used to disinfect the roots for any possible fungi. You can use the same solution on the container when you clean it before replanting the aloe.
Rinse the roots in this solution before planting the aloe in new soil so the fungal problem is not retained.
Choose the right container
Make sure the container you choose for replanting the aloe is going to be able to accommodate its roots. Aloes like a container or pot that is wide and more bowl-like than one that looks like a vase and is narrow. This is because aloe roots grow laterally. If it is planted in a tall and narrow container, it might tip over due to its weight.
Also make sure that the new container has drainage holes in the bottom so any excess water drains away easily.
Clay pots are recommended for colder places, because the soil stays wetter for longer in the absence of warm sun, and clay pots are more porous. Plastic pots are better for hotter climates because they trap water and allow the plant more time to effectively absorb water for storage.
Make sure you use the right soil
Succulents like their soil to be well-draining and airy. You can buy commercial succulent soil mix or you can make it at home by mixing one part potting soil, one part sand, and one part perlite. The sand and perlite will add grain and grit to the texture while the soil will provide the nutrients to the plant.
Conclusion
Aloe plants may be tough and hardy plants, but they can be easily overwatered, especially if you are using the wrong soil or the wrong container.
If you suspect that your aloe is overwatered, check its roots and remove any parts that are rotten. Treat the roots with a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution and replant it in a container large enough to accommodate its roots, using well-draining soil.
If you follow all of these steps, your aloe plant will have no problem bouncing back.
Image: istockphoto.com / BCFC