Expert: Greg Simpson - 11/28/2005

Question
I have an aloe vera plant that I bought two or three months ago.  I have watered it sparingly and it is a pot that I've left sand in the bottom for drainage.  It is starting now to spread out wide and the leaves are starting to turn white from the base up.  What am I doing wrong or is this normal?  Thank you.

Michael  

Answer
Dear Michael,

Usually leaves turning white indicates sunburn. If the leaves are detacting themselves at the base, this is normal shedding of leaves. The key to Aloes is not watering in the wrong time of year. They are from the southern hemisphere, so they grow in our winter. In other words, don't water excessivley in summer. They take awhile to show damage so overwatering in the summer can cause a rotting plant in the fall.

You can tell if the plant is rotting by tugging on the center leaves (new ones). If they detatch easily and there is a foul odor at the base of the leaf, then the plant has crown rot and it is finished.

If it is otherwise growing well, then it may be normal leaf drop. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg