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Why Is My Aloe Plant Turning Yellow? 7 Causes!

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The aloe plant is the favorite of many houseplant growers. It’s unpretentious, easy to breed, bright green all year round, and has real eco-pharmacy, making it unique. 

With the help of aloe juice, you can treat a runny nose, sore throat, and skin diseases and eliminate gastrointestinal problems. It saves in case of burns and injuries. The immune and stimulating properties of the aloe plant have also been proven.

The aloe leaves help to prepare masks, lotions, and extracts because they are healthy, juicy, and rich in color. When the plant suddenly begins to turn yellow, growers need to know what the cause is urgent. So, why is my aloe turning yellow?

Why is my aloe plant turning yellow
“My aloe has leaves drooping and turning yellow” via Reddit

Why is My Aloe Plant Turning Yellow?

1. Sunlight

Aloe plants are naturally adapted to thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, making them well-suited for indoor environments.

The balance of light exposure plays a crucial role in maintaining their health. While they crave sunlight, overexposure to intense rays can lead to issues such as yellowing leaves and even sunburn.

Placing your aloe plant near a window that receives bright, indirect light is usually ideal.

However, caution is warranted when it comes to exposing aloe plants to too much direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.

The intense rays of direct sunlight can penetrate the leaves and cause damage to the plant’s tissues. This damage is akin to sunburn in humans and is often characterized by yellowing leaves and, in severe cases, brown spots or patches on the leaves.

To prevent the negative effects of excessive sunlight, consider providing your aloe plant with partial shade during the peak sunlight hours. You can achieve this by placing a sheer curtain or using other light-filtering materials.

2. Temperature violation

The optimum air temperature for an aloe plant, regardless of the season, is 23 to 25 ​​°C, while the plant can feel great at lower rates. However, there is a condition – the air temperature must drop gradually.

Sharp cold temperatures with a drop to 10 °C will make the aloe plant turn yellow. However, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight in hot weather (above 29 °C) will also manifest similarly.

Often, aloe growers suffer from sudden temperature changes, which are exposed on a glazed loggia or balcony in the spring-summer period. Therefore, it is very important to follow the weather forecasts and, depending on the situation, shade or take the plant indoors.

3. Wrong substrate

Like most succulents, the aloe plant prefers light and loose soil, preferably with weak acidity, although the plant will like neutral indicators. With the wrong substrate, the aloe plant will turn yellow.

Substrate for aloe is supposed to be two parts of leafy soil, one part of baking powder (perlite, vermiculite, river sand), and 1 part of humus. 

The soil should be laid in layers, with a 2-3-centimeter drainage layer. Then followed by a substrate, and on top of the near-trunk circle of aloe, mulched with sand, fine gravel, perlite, or vermiculite.

4. Failure to follow the watering schedule

The health of succulent plants, like aloe vera, depends on a careful balance of water. This balance often shows in the color of their leaves. The interplay between watering frequency and well-drained soil is paramount in maintaining their health and mitigating the onset of issues like yellowing leaves.

Knowing whether your aloe plant needs more or less water involves careful observation. You can check soil moisture by gently probing it with a wooden stick. If it’s dry, it’s time to water aloe. But avoid overwatering– Letting the soil dry out between watering sessions.

A well-draining soil is important for a healthy plant. Use well-draining potting soil and a container with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom so the plant’s roots stay healthy.

If unsure about soil moisture, look at the leaves. Thinner, slightly yellow leaves may mean the plant needs more water. Conversely, a subtle brownish tint could indicate excessive watering. Interestingly, even overwatered aloe leaves might still feel somewhat firm.

Understanding these signs causing yellow leaves in aloe vera plants helps adjust watering frequency for a healthy growth.

Why is my aloe plant turning yellow 2
“my aloe are turning yellow at the tips” via Reddit

5. Stress

Stress is a significant factor to consider when it comes to aloe plants. While growing aloe vera is generally low-maintenance, sudden changes in its environment can induce stress, leading to the aloe leaves turn yellow.

To effectively address this issue and rejuvenate yellow aloe leaves, a gradual approach is essential.

If you’re planning to relocate the aloe vera plant to a different window with varied light exposure or temporarily move it to a balcony, avoid doing so abruptly. Aloe vera plant benefits from acclimatization to new conditions.

Start by exposing the plant to the new environment for short intervals, then gradually increase the duration over time. This allows the aloe vera plant to adapt at its own pace, reducing the shock of change and the subsequent risk of stress-related symptoms like yellowing aloe leaves.

By providing a smooth transition, you can safeguard the health and vitality of your aloe plant.

6. Incorrect feeding

Yellow leaves of the aloe plant indicates a violation of fertilization. This plant requires fertile potting soil that is well-drained and moist. Rich in both minerals and organics is paramount.

Yellowing leaves can signal that top dressing is applied too often, not benefiting the root system. Also, it can mean the soil was fertilized in winter when the succulent is resting or immediately after purchase in a store. 

7. Root rot

Transplanting aloe plants without adhering to proper requirements can lead to issues like poorly drained soil or using heavy soil, resulting in stagnant moisture that triggers the onset of root rot. This condition, in turn, prompts the yellow leaves on aloe vera.

The symptoms of root rot become apparent as the leaves lose their plumpness causing mushy leaves, taking on a thinner, more waterlogged appearance, and eventually withering to the point where older leaves may drop off. This gradual transformation from vibrant green to yellow leaves signals the plant’s struggle.

These visual indicators serve as red flags for the presence of root rot. The rotten roots are unable to adequately supply the aloe plant with essential nutrients, which directly contributes to the display of these telltale signs.

To prevent root rot caused by improper transplanting practices, it’s essential to adhere to proper guidelines.

Start by selecting well-draining soil and a suitable pot with drainage holes. When transplanting, ensure the aloe plant’s roots are not excessively disturbed, and the soil conditions are alright. Remember, the new soil is gently packed around the roots.

Allow the plant to acclimate gradually to its new environment by placing it in its new location for increasing periods over a few days. Adequate watering, allowing the soil to dry between waterings, and monitoring the plant for any signs of stress, like leaves turned yellow, are crucial.

By following these steps, you can safeguard against root rot and ensure the successful transplantation and continued health of your aloe plant.

>> Related Post:

How to Care for Aloe Plant to Prevent It from Turning Yellow

Choosing a place for the plant

Aloe plant loves bright sunlight and heat. The best option would be to place the plant pot on the southern windowsill. It is essential to monitor the absence of drafts in the room. If your home does not have well-lit windows, you can purchase a unique plant lamp.

Pot selection

When growing aloe plants, plastic and earthen pot with holes for draining the water are suitable. To determine the correct container size, you need to measure the diameter of the aloe crown. The diameter of the pot should be about half the size.

Soil selection

Aloe plants can grow in soil with any composition other than peat. On request, in specialized stores, you can purchase land intended for succulents. Another option is to mix the ground yourself. To do this, you need to take sand, humus, and leafy earth in equal proportions.

Watering

Like other succulents, the aloe plant is watered only after the soil is almost completely dry; otherwise, it may rot. In winter, the interval between waterings is increased.

Top dressing

Aloe plant needs regular feeding during the warm season – spring and summer. Any fertilizer explicitly designed for succulents is suitable for this.

Fertilizer is used only in the evening, immediately after abundant watering. In this way, you can avoid scalding the roots. Aloe plants should not be fed after transplant, during hibernation, or illness.


Conclusion

In conclusion, the yellow leaves on this desert plant, aloe vera serves as a visible indicator of various underlying issues that need proper care. Understanding the specific cause through careful observation and tailored care is key to addressing the yellow leaves and promoting the aloe plant’s recovery.

By providing the right balance of water, enough light exposure, nutrient-rich soil, and regular pest checks, you can not only prevent yellowing but also foster a healthy and vibrant aloe plant.

Remember that nurturing a thriving aloe plant requires an ongoing commitment to its needs and a keen eye for any signs of distress.