Aloe vera is undoubtedly a magnificent herb with some magical properties. Its easy-to-maintain excellence makes this one a quick pick for plenty of indoor gardeners. However, sometimes, a few misconceptions in their caring regimen could drive root rot in your favorite plant.
Basically, the intricate root system of this herb is vulnerable. Probably that’s why it gets caught by the smallest improperness in caring method quickly.
Once your plant is infected by the issue of root rot, you must apply the curing methods immediately. Otherwise, your aloe vera plant could die within just a couple of weeks of unawareness.
Here we suggest some easy tricks to recognize and cure this root rot problem of your growing aloe vera plant proficiently-
Contents
Reasons for Root Rot in an Aloe Vera Plant:
Some particular causes always work behind the root rot problem in an aloe vera plant. The most common reasons for this issue, are as follows-
- Overwatering:
Over watering is the most typical cause of root rot in an aloe vera plant. You should remember that despite being succulent, aloe vera doesn’t need much watering during its growing session. So, water only they seem thirsty or the soil turns dry completely.
- Wrong Size and Drainage:
An inappropriate container or planter could cause root rot sometimes in an aloe vera plant. The root system of an aloe vera plant is complicated, thus, it should not face root bound ever. A planter with improper drainage holes is also unfitted for an aloe vera plant.
- Low Light:
Due to being a medicinal succulent, aloe vera needs several hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive well. so, if you place your plant away from bright and direct sunlight for long, it will get root rot issue shortly. Remember that the photosynthesis process is essential for such green succulents and that won’t be possible without proper light, right?
- Cold Drafts:
Aloe vera plant couldn’t stand cool weather or cold drafts for long. That’s why gardeners are advised to keep their plants safe during winter days. Keeping your plants in open cold draft near windows during winter and autumn could initiate such root rot problems in your plant unexpectedly.
- Fungal or Bacterial Infestation:
This is the most relatable cause of getting root rot in any plant. We always suggest using fresh soil, planter, potting mix, etc. whenever planting or repotting a plant. It is because, sometimes, these growing mediums with any kind of bacterial or fungal infestation surpass the infection to its new vassal accordingly. Over time, this issue could deliver root rot to your plant inevitably.
- Over Fertilization:
Sometimes feeding your aloe vera plant more than its actual requirements could lead your plant towards root rot. If you fertilize a growing plant more than its needs, the excess food will build up in its roots and gradually congest the way that passes nutrition to the plant. Remember that commercial and organic options are equally harmful to the overfertilization of a plant.
- Improper Climate:
One more valid reason for root rot in an aloe vera plant is improper or unsuitable climate. It means, that if you keep the planter in a place, where your aloe vera plant couldn’t get enough humidity and adequate temperature along with proper sunlight, it is called improper climate. This kind of climate often drags your growing plant to the consequence of root rot unavoidably.
Signs of Root Rot in Your Aloe Vera Plant:
Aloe vera plants always give vivid and apparent signs of root rot with some clear hints. Try to recognize those symptoms of root attentively at their primary stage. If you can detect them quickly and apply the remedies in time, it will be more effortless for you to revive your plant with some simple changes.
Here are some basic signs you could validate to find whether your growing aloe vera plant is having root rot issues-
- Discoloration in leaves
- Soft mushy leaves
- Tips turning brown
- Roots turn brown or black
- Dry stems
- Bad rotten odor
How to Revive/Fix Your Aloe Vera Root Rot:
Some best and most effective solutions for preventing and reviving your aloe vera plant from root rot, are-
Enough Lighting:
Once you feel that your aloe vera plant is not thriving, try to bring it out in a bright area full of direct sunlight. Keep your plant at that spot for 24 hours constantly. It will resolve the minor problem, and at the same time, help you to recognize the root rot issues proficiently.
Trim Down Infected Roots:
Once you are sure that your aloe vera plant has a root rot issue, try to drag out the plant from its current planter immediately, and cut off the infected part right away. Always do this step with a fully sterilized pruner or cutter to avoid any kind of infestation further.
Repot Your Plant Immediately:
To give your plant a second chance to grow healthily, you must clear all its previous growing mediums and create a whole new setup instantly. You should remember here that the prevention of root rot would have worked more effectively, as soon as you could have done the replantation process.
Choose Your Planter:
Picking the perfect pot for planting or replanting an aloe vera plant is a significant step to keeping your plant safe from root rot. So, try to pick a container that is only 1-1.5 inches bigger than the root size of your plant. Make sure it has some clear drainage holes and they are working properly as well.
Choose the Right Soil Mix:
Prepare a potting mix combining 3 parts of fully fertile potting soil, 2 parts of pebbles or sand, and 1 part of perlite. This could be the most preferable potting mix to grow an aloe vera plant without any kind of rooting issue. This sort of growing medium helps to keep the drainage process uninterrupted till the end.
Watering Schedule:
Aloe vera plants need moderate yet consistent watering. Try to water your plant once every 1-2 days with ½ inches deep watering or wait till the top surface of the soil turn 60% dry between watering. Always avoid watering your aloe vera plant for 1-2 weeks after repotting it properly.
Fertilize Only As Per The Schedule:
Feed your aloe vera plant only once a month with any balanced liquid fertilizer. Do not over-fertilize your plant ever, if you want to avoid any kind of root issues in the near future. Apply commercial succulent fertilizer in diluted form with a 10-40-10 ratio according to the right schedules.
Provide The Best Suitable Climate:
Place the planter of your newly potted or repotted aloe vera plant in a spot where it can get bright and direct sunlight for 8-10 hours a day. Make sure the spot has a moderate humidity level with a consistently warm temperature. Maintain the growing temperature between 55° to 80° F for the healthy roots.
Go for The Plant Rotation:
Plant rotation is another smart move to keep your aloe vera plant away from the grasp of root rot. Sometimes, keeping your plant at the same spot same year could cause some unhealthy circumstances. Try to change the spot of the planter every year considerately.
Visit Her Frequently:
Apart from these hacks, you should give your plant a regular visit frequently just to stay updated. This way you can keep an eye on any type of pest or fungi infestation and at the same time catch the signs of root rot at its firstest sign. Proper and consistent validation of your growing aloe vera plant will also reward you with a successful planting experience at the end.