Having an aloe vera (aloe barbadensis miller) plant in your home is a worthy investment.
In fact, buying one healthy aloe plant can lead to a houseful of aloe plants in a matter of months, because aloe plants are easy to propagate and don’t require specialized care.
Aloe vera has dozens of uses and many people find it to be one of the most beneficial plants they own.
However, a common issue with aloe vera plants is that their leaves may begin to curl.
So how do we fix an aloe plant’s leaves from curling?
If your aloe vera leaves are curling, there are six probable causes:
- Dehydration
- Too Cold
- Poor Sunlight
- Fungal Infection
- Bacterial Infection
- Bad Container
Making sure that your aloe plant is well watered and in the right environment will create the optimal growing environment and should solve the problem of curling leaves.
1. Underwatering Causes Aloe Vera Leaves to Curl
According to the folks over at The Old Farmer’s Almanac, you’ll only need to water your aloe plant every two to three weeks during the spring and summer, and less often in the fall and winter.
For most of us seasoned plant growers, it doesn’t feel right to let the soil completly dry out but that’s what aloe plants need.
Since the plant holds so much water, it doesn’t need to be watered as often. However, when you do water an aloe plant make sure to water it thoroughly so the soil is completely soaked through.
2. Putting Aloe Vera Plants In a Room That’s Too Cold Causes Leaves to Curl
Aloe vera is primarily a desert plant. This means an aloe vera plant needs a warm and dry environment.
Therefore, aloe plants doesn’t do well on a sunporch or other rooms that are prone to get cold during the winter.
You should keep your aloe vera plant in a room that will stay warm throughout the winter to keep the leaves from curling.
Do keep in mind that frequent temperature fluctuations are not good for any indoor plant. So try to keep the aloe vera plant away from drafty walkways or open windows.
3. Poor Sunlight Can Cause Aloe Vera Leaves to Curl
Aloe vera are desert succulents which means they are used to lots of sunlight. They don’t need to be right in your window sill, but they do prefer bright, sunny rooms where there is plenty of indirect sunlight.
If you don’t get a lot of sunlight during the winter then you may want to consider adding a grow light to your room. Although you won’t need to put the light directly over your aloe plants.
Keep in mind that southern facing windows typically receive the most sunlight so try placing the aloe plant near a south facing window.
4. Fungal Infection Can Cause Aloe Vera Leaves to Curl
Aloe vera can develop a fungal infection that leads to dry rot. This causes the leaves to curl.
Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent this except make sure that you start with healthy plants.
If your aloe vera develops dry rot, you need to destroy the plant and throw away the pot as well, because the fungus can continue to live on the container.
5. Bacterial Infection Can Cause Aloe Vera Leaves to Curl
Very rarely does aloe vera develop bacterial soft rot. However it can still develop and bacterial soft rot can cause the leaves to curl.
Bacterial soft rot can be avoided by not overwatering your aloe vera plant. So make sure to allow the soil to completely dry out before watering the plant again.
6. Creating the Right Environment for Your Aloe Plant Will Prevent Their Leaves Curling
To build the best growing environment for your aloe plant, you’ll want to start at the bottom.
Instead of filling the bottom of your pot with rocks, you’ll want to use a screen to cover the bottom of the pot. This will allow drainage, but keep the soil more compact.
Remember that because you need to water deeply, you will want the soil to be more solid. You’ll want a pot that is roughly as wide as it is deep, and it shouldn’t be much larger than the plant is itself; a bit of growing room is perfect.
If you’re going to need to repot your aloe plant to get it into the right environment, then make sure that you give it at least a week to acclimate to the new environment before you water it.
You’ll also want to be very careful as you transfer the plant from one pot to another. The aloe stem can be fragile.
Uses for Aloe Plants
The great thing about aloe is that it has a ton of uses.
Of course, we’re all familiar with using aloe for a burn. You can take a leaf directly from the plant, close to the stem, and then squeeze the aloe vera gel directly onto a burn for some soothing relief!
Most people get started with aloe plants by using them for burns, and then they find out that there are other uses for aloe, too!
- Aloe vera may help with irritable bowel syndrome, and could improve symptoms of h. pylori, which can cause ulcers.
- Aloe vera may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.
- Aloe vera is an additive to some toothpastes. It shows promise in helping to lower levels of plaque, which can contribute to gingivitis.
- Aloe may help small cuts or skin tears heal faster. This includes areas that may frequently re-tear, such as winter-dry skin or skin that is exposed to drying environments. My husband is a postal worker, and I’m experimenting with a skin cream made with calendula, chamomile, aloe, and beeswax to help his skin in the winter!
Taking Care of Your Aloe Plants
Aloe vera is a succulent, but it’s often hard to see it as a succulent because it’s so full of that dewy gel.
For that reason, we tend to think that aloe vera plants need a lot of water. The truth is, they don’t need to be watered all that often.
In fact, they rather thrive when we plunk them into an arty little pot with high-quality soil, find them a perfect home in a bright room with indirect sunlight, water them once or twice a month, and let them do their thing.
It really is just that easy.
I think that’s why aloe vera makes a great starter plant for anyone, whether it be someone who wants to master plant growing, or for someone who is just getting their first home.
They can be a perfect “touch of home” for a college student or a great housewarming gift for a new neighbor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re having problems with your aloe leaves curling, make sure that you are watering often enough, and that your soil is of good quality. Your pot should be set up so that the soil is solid, but aerated, with a screen on the bottom rather than rocks.
