Expert: Maureen - 1/2/2010

Question
Hi, I've had an aloe plant for a couple of months and it's beginning to turn yellow on its tips. It's currently winter and I thought that I wasn't supposed to use fertilizer until the spring. Is it turning yellow because it has too much sun (it's in a pretty sunny spot in my house)? Or because I'm watering it too much (It's currently dry)?

Answer
It's most likely due to overwatering AND fertilizing.  Aloe Vera tend to go dormant in the winter  and require very little water and no fertilizer. Benign neglect is better for these plants as they store so much water. Sunny is good.  The yellowed leaves will most likely stay that way. See if the inner leaves are still green - that's a good sign.  Also make sure it's in a well drained potting medium. Succulents like to be crowded.  If the medium is dense I would repot it now but if it looks like it drains well I'd leave it till Spring. Succulents don't need fertilizer if in good potting medium and some don't like it at all. I don't know where you live but if you put it outside do so gradually so as not to burn it.

Good luck!