Skip to Content

Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up – With 5 Reasons!

Sharing is caring!

Your Aloe plant looks like it’s just sitting there with its head on the ground, and you can’t help but wonder why it isn’t standing up straight as most other plants do.

What’s going on with the Aloe plant that might be keeping it from standing tall? Why does my Aloe plant not stand up? Do you have these questions in your mind? The answer is simple.

It may seem strange to you, but this is common with many succulents and cacti, including Aloe plants. Aloe plants are succulents meaning they store water in their leaves, stems and roots.

When planted into the ground, the Aloe plant can absorb enough water to stand upright, but the plant sometimes might not stand up as you want it to.

Aloe plants are unique and beautiful additions to any home, but they’re not really known for their standing ability. In fact, they tend to lie flat on the ground, with many of most of their parts underground.

Before you start wondering if your Aloe plant has been damaged or if something has gone wrong with it, take a look at the reasons to why does my Aloe plant not stand up in the first place and what you can do about it.

Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up
Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up? via Reddit

Reasons That Answer Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up

1)    Watering Issues

Like all succulents, aloes like to have their soil moist but not soggy. An overwatered Aloe plant is prone to fungal infections and rotting roots. As a general rule, your Aloe should be watered thoroughly when its soil feels dry at a depth of 1 inch. The soil shouldn’t be saturated, nor should it be waterlogged.

Because they’re native to deserts, you should only water them every week or two, letting their soil dry out in between watering sessions. This also keeps bugs away from your plant because there will be less moisture for them to hide in. 

On the other hand, if the Aloe plant is underwatered and don’t get enough water, it won’t grow big enough to stand up on their own. This usually happens in areas with hot summers.

2)    Less Sunlight

Availability of less sunlight is another reason as to why does my Aloe plant not stand up. This is one most common reasons why your aloe plant won’t stand up.

Like other plants, it requires sunlight to perform photosynthesis and synthesize necessary nutrients for growth. If your plant isn’t getting enough light, it cannot grow to its potential.  

Also, many people think that all Aloe plants grow in full sun. But that is not necessarily true. Most varieties need at least four hours of direct sunlight a day, but some require as much as 12 hours. If your plant isn’t standing up, it may be too dark for it to grow and thrive. `

As Aloe plants prefer bright, natural light to thrive, consider repositioning your plant so that it daily gets direct sunlight for at least four hours. Also, supplementing your plant with a grow lamp can be helpful.

Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up 2
Why Does My Aloe Plant Not Stand Up? via Reddit

3)    Shallow Container

If your Aloe plant is in a shallow container, there may not be enough room for it to gain the required stability to stand up.

While Aloe plants are typically small plants, they have a relatively high centre of gravity. This means that if your plant doesn’t have much space to grow, it won’t be able to balance itself to stand tall.

If planted in a shallow container, there might not be enough soil to support the base that makes your Aloe plant bend over.

So, consider repotting your Aloe plant into a deeper container. Ensure that you give your Aloe plant sufficient room to grow by repotting it into a larger container.

4)    Improper Potting Soil

Improper potting soil is another important reason to consider while looking out for why does my Aloe plant not stand up.

So, if your Aloe plant refuses to stand up, you’re probably using improper potting soil. As a South African native plant, the Aloe plant requires well-draining soils with plenty of sand and composted organic material.

Even if you’re fertilizing your potting soil regularly, it may still be holding too much moisture. When water or fertilizer gets trapped, oxygen can’t reach where roots grow. This causes your Aloe plant to lose its posture and wilt.

5)    Diseases and Pests

The most common diseases infecting the Aloe plant are Stem Rot, Root Rot and Crown Rot. These diseases tend to attack Aloe plants that do not get enough water or sun.

They also infect those with soggy soil or poor drainage. Other diseases affecting the Aloe plant are Black spots and Powdery Mildew.

While rarer than diseases, pests can also contribute to your Aloe plant not standing up. The two most common are Aphids, Mealybugs and Spider mites.

Mealybugs will attack new growths and succulent leaves, while spider mites prefer to feed on foliage in dry conditions.

If these pests infest your Aloe plant, fine webbing or clusters of white specks along with small holes in the leaves can be seen. Also, Snail Attacks or Slugs can be seen damaging your plant’s stems near the soil level.

You can easily protect your plant from these pests by wiping them off or dabbing them with soapy water. You can also use neem oil or any other organic insecticide available.

>> Related Posts:


Conclusion

Aloe plant is a succulent which make great displays and add beauty to any room, but they can be picky about their environments. If your aloe plant is not standing up, it could mean that something has gone wrong. However, in most cases, there is nothing to worry about.

There are a variety of reasons that could answer your query of why does my Aloe plant not stand up. It is due to either overwatering or underwatering.

Improper potting soil, shallow container, and less sunlight can also make your Aloe plant not stand up. There are also some pests and diseases that contribute to it.

But try not to be too worried if your plant doesn’t seem to respond well. Most likely, it will come around again shortly if you take proper care of your plant.

Also, comment down if you have any concerns about caring for your Aloe plant. Happy gardening!