Controlling Aloe Vera Rot
Aloe vera (Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis) is grown as a houseplant in colder climates but also makes a beautiful landscape ornamental in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12, where it sends up yellow flower spikes in the spring. This succulent plant frequently suffers from a variety of root and crown rots due to improper care, the wrong type of soil, the wrong environment or a combination of these factors. Prevent aloe vera rot with practices that create a fairly dry growing environment. If your aloe vera is already suffering from rot, the only option is to remove the rot and replant the aloe vera into a more suitable environment. No matter the cause, prevention or replanting are the only real controls for aloe vera rot.
Immediately remove an aloe vera suffering from rot from its pot and assess the extent of the damage. Rot often appears as brown, water-soaked spots, soft, oozy tissue or leaves that are brown or black and drying up. If you can see rot in the leaves of the plant, significant damage has already occurred -- be prepared to lose a large portion of the plant. Brush off as much dirt as possible from the roots and remove any roots that are black or dark brown, because they are already infected or dead. If the center of the plant is still healthy, remove any side sections that are black or brown on the bottom. If the crown is severely damaged, it is too late to save the whole plant, but you can start new plants from any sections that are still plump and green.
Repot aloe vera into a container made of a porous material to keep the growing medium as dry as possible. A clay pot creates an environment that drains quickly and does not stay moist -- this is perfect for succulent plants because chronically wet roots are likely to develop rots. Clay has a way of wicking water from the soil and releasing it through evaporation, keeping the medium constantly on the dry side. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the plant because extra medium will hold on to excess water.
When planting aloe vera in the garden, it might be better to plant it in a raised beds so you can better control drainage. Otherwise, cool, wet winters will be the end of your aloe vera. If you absolutely must plant an aloe vera in the ground, work enough sand into the top 24 inches that the bed drains almost immediately when watered with a garden hose.
The best mediums for aloe vera are made from a mixture of sand and soil. Sand encourages fast drainage -- without contributing nutrients, like compost would -- while the soil holds on to just enough moisture that your aloe vera can absorb some water before the container drains. Commercial cactus mixes are a good choice for aloe vera, or you can mix your own using 1 part sterile sand to 1 part sterile soil. Do not use any kind of potting soil that contains fertilizer. Succulents of all kinds respond poorly to too much fertilizer, which can happen quickly because their nutritional needs are low.
An aloe vera with a green, healthy crown can be repotted right away, provided you move it to an appropriately draining pot and medium after trimming away the damaged parts of the plant. Bury it at the same depth as it was in the previous pot, or you will continue to have problems with rots and moisture. Apply liquid fungicide to the new medium to fight any sections of rot you may have missed.
If the crown is damaged, brown or black, your best bet is to take cuttings to start new plants. Cut the green ends from healthy tissues at least 1/2 inch from the last section of rot and allow them to scab overnight before replanting. Plant the cuttings at least 1 inch below the surface of the soil to hold them in place while they root.
Once you've got your aloe vera trimmed and planted in a proper pot with a well-draining medium, be careful how you water the plant. Check the moisture level at 1 to 2 inches below the top of the soil before watering. Only when it is dry should you water the plant -- and water it deeply when you do. Succulents are designed to take in a lot of water all at one time.
Kristi Waterworth started her writing career in 1995 as a journalist for a local newspaper. From there, her meandering career path led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the real estate industry. Since 2010, she's written on a wide range of personal finance topics. Waterworth received a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Columbia College.