Why Is My Aloe Vera Plant Turning Brown?

It is never a good sign when the fat green leaves of a potted Aloe vera plant, commonly called medicinal aloe, turn as brown as a brown thumb, but no need to weep or gnash teeth. Medicinal aloe is a survivor plant, and you probably can remedy the damage by adjusting the plant's sunshine, irrigation and/or soil.

Potted medicinal aloe is a tough little plant that usually grows on a windowsill without requiring constant care. It absolutely must have, however, well-drained soil. If your medicinal aloe's leaves are softening, wilting or turning brown or mushy, check the bottom of the plant's pot for ample drain holes. The interior portion of the pot's drain area should be covered by 2 inches of stones that are topped by gravelly or sandy soil. If those elements are not present, then repot the plant correctly, put it in a bright corner and wait patiently for it to recover. If the damage is so extensive that the plant's roots are also brown, then trim off the root rot before repotting the remainder of the plant.

Water is suspect No. 2 when medicinal aloe's leaves darken or wilt. Even if its soil drains well, a potted medicinal aloe doesn't do well in excess water. The plant is native to the hot, dry climes of Africa, and its irrigation requirements are minimal. Never water the plant until its soil dries thoroughly from the last drink. The exact timing between watering days depends on many factors, including the size of the plant pot and the heat level in your house. If you think you overdid the water, your solution is simple: Put the plant in a bright corner, and don't water it for two weeks. If it regains its vigor, adapt a less frequent irrigation schedule for it.

Like many succulents, medicinal aloe is a low-water plant, not a no-water plant. Just because the plant is drought-resistant does not mean you can spend a month in Tahiti and return to a healthy plant. Outdoor medicinal aloe often gets by on rainfall alone, but an indoor plant relies entirely on you to provide the water it needs. If you don't water a medicinal aloe, it uses all the moisture stored in its leaves, and the the leaves wither and turn yellow or brown. If that happens, give your plant a generous drink and set it aside to recover.

A medicinal aloe plant needs a bright location, but not too much light. If the plant's window location gets all-day sunlight or regular afternoon sunlight in a sunny climate, yellow-brown leaves can indicate a sunburn. Test this possibility by moving the plant to a location where it gets lots of light but no direct sunlight. If the plant's vigor returns, you've found the problem and solution.

Medicinal aloe thrives outdoors all year only in warm climates, U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. If you are in the habit of putting your potted medicinal aloe outside during summer or on warm winter afternoons, then it must be taken back inside before the temperature dips. Otherwise, its leaves may turn brown as a reaction to cold. Patience is required to wait and see whether or not the cold-affected plant can recover. Sterilize pruners or a knife with rubbing alcohol, and use the tool to remove all the plant's leaves that appear glassy at their point of origin. Then place the plant in a bright, cool location.