5 Common Aloe Vera Care Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Is your aloe vera looking sad, droopy, or changing colors? You’re not alone! These hardy succulents have a reputation for being nearly indestructible, but even the most well-intentioned plant parents make some common aloe vera care mistakes. The good news? Most aloe problems are easy to fix once you know what’s wrong. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the five biggest aloe vera care mistakes and show you exactly how to get your plant back to its happy, healthy self.

Before we dive into the mistakes, let’s quickly cover what makes aloe vera thrive. These desert natives are built for survival, but they do have some non-negotiable needs:

Now that we know what aloe vera plants need to thrive, let’s look at the most common aloe vera care mistakes that might be causing your plant problems.

If there’s one thing that kills more aloe plants than anything else, it’s overwatering. We’ve all been there – you love your plant so much you want to give it plenty of water. But for aloe vera, too much love in the form of water is actually harmful!

Aloe vera plants store water in their thick leaves – it’s their survival strategy for desert conditions. When you water too frequently, the roots sit in moisture they can’t use, leading to root rot. This happens most often when:

If you’ve caught the problem early, simply stop watering and let the soil dry out completely. For more serious cases:

Going forward, only water when the soil is completely dry – usually every 2-3 weeks in growing season and even less in winter. When you do water, soak thoroughly until water runs from the drainage holes, then don’t water again until the soil is completely dry.

Aloe vera plants need plenty of bright light to thrive. Without enough light, they’ll tell you they’re struggling:

While aloe vera needs bright light, too much intense, direct sunlight can cause problems too:

The ideal spot for your aloe vera is near a south or west-facing window where it gets bright, indirect light most of the day. If you need to move your plant outdoors for summer, do it gradually:

If your home doesn’t have ideal light conditions, consider a grow light designed for succulents to keep your aloe happy during darker months.

One of the biggest aloe vera care mistakes is planting these desert-loving succulents in regular potting soil and containers without proper drainage. This setup is practically guaranteed to lead to problems!

Standard potting soil holds too much moisture for aloe vera plants. This leads to:

The pot you choose matters almost as much as the soil:

Here’s how to set up your aloe vera for success:

If you suspect your aloe is suffering from poor soil or pot conditions, don’t hesitate to repot it. Spring and summer are ideal times, but a struggling plant can be repotted any time if necessary.

While aloe vera plants are generally resistant to many pests and diseases, they’re not completely immune. Ignoring early signs of trouble can lead to serious problems that are harder to fix later.

Keep an eye out for these unwelcome visitors:

Most aloe diseases are related to moisture problems:

If you do spot pests:

For diseases, improving growing conditions is often the best remedy. Remove affected parts with clean tools, reduce watering, and ensure better drainage and air circulation.

Many people make the aloe vera care mistake of treating these desert plants like hungry garden flowers. In reality, aloe vera has modest nutritional needs:

Signs of fertilizer problems include:

Aloe vera plants can handle heat pretty well, but cold is their enemy:

Signs of temperature stress include:

For fertilizing:

For temperature management:

Remember that aloe vera evolved to thrive with minimal care in harsh conditions. Sometimes the best care is minimal intervention!

The single most important skill for avoiding aloe vera care mistakes is mastering the right watering technique. The “soak and dry” method mimics the desert rain patterns these plants evolved with:

This method encourages deep, healthy root growth while preventing the root rot that comes from constant moisture. Remember that it’s always better to underwater than overwater your aloe vera!

Another common aloe vera care mistake is not repotting when necessary or doing it incorrectly. Healthy aloe plants will eventually outgrow their containers, usually needing repotting every 2-3 years.

Repotting is also the perfect time to separate any pups (baby plants) that have formed around the base of the mother plant. These can be potted individually to expand your aloe collection or share with friends!

Once you’ve mastered basic aloe vera care and avoided common mistakes, you might want to expand your collection through propagation. Unlike many succulents, aloe vera can’t be grown from leaf cuttings. Instead, you’ll need to use one of these methods:

The easiest and most reliable method is to separate the small baby plants (pups) that grow around the base of mature aloe:

Pups will grow into full-sized plants within a year or two with proper care. This method also helps keep your main plant from becoming overcrowded.

Avoiding common aloe vera care mistakes comes down to understanding this plant’s desert origins. By mimicking its natural conditions – bright light, infrequent but thorough watering, well-draining soil, and protection from extreme cold – you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, healthy plant that can thrive for years.

Remember that aloe vera is remarkably resilient. Even if you’ve made some of these mistakes, your plant can often bounce back with proper care. The most important thing is to observe your plant closely and respond to its needs rather than following a rigid care schedule.

With the knowledge you’ve gained about avoiding aloe vera care mistakes, you’re well-equipped to grow these beneficial plants successfully. Your reward will be not just an attractive houseplant, but also a living first-aid kit with soothing gel for minor burns, cuts, and skin irritations.