The Aloe vera plant is a resilient succulent known for its soothing inner gel, but its fleshy leaves shrivel when the plant is under stress. Since the leaves store the plant’s water, shriveling signals a disruption in the plant’s moisture balance. This change, which ranges from thin, wrinkled leaves to mushy, collapsed tissue, indicates the plant is struggling to maintain its internal hydration reserves. Identifying the specific type of shriveling is the first step toward correcting the issue and restoring the aloe’s plump, firm texture.
Immediate Causes of Shriveling
Shriveled aloe leaves usually point to two opposing causes related to watering: severe dehydration or root decay. When the plant is underwatered, the leaves become noticeably thin, concave, and wrinkled, often curling inward. The plant consumes its stored moisture to survive, causing the leaf tips, which are farthest from the water source, to turn dry and brown first.
Shriveling can also be a symptom of overwatering, which leads to root rot. In this case, the leaves are often soft, mushy, and may appear yellow or translucent, collapsing from the base upward. The shriveling occurs because the roots, damaged by prolonged exposure to soggy soil, decay and can no longer transport water to the leaves. This means the plant is dehydrated even when the soil is saturated, a condition sometimes indicated by a foul odor.
Correcting Watering Practices and Soil
Resolving shriveling caused by moisture issues requires using the succulent’s preferred “soak and dry” watering method. Water deeply until the water drains freely from the pot’s bottom, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. For a potted aloe, the top two inches of soil should feel completely dry to the touch. This usually means watering every two to three weeks during the warmer growing season and less often in winter.
The potting medium and container are as important as watering frequency. Aloe requires a highly porous, fast-draining soil mix, ideally formulated for cacti and succulents. This mix often contains materials like perlite or coarse sand, ensuring excess water rapidly exits the pot. Using a pot with a drainage hole is necessary, as standing water is the most common cause of root damage.
Light, Temperature, and Pest Stress
Environmental factors separate from watering mistakes can also induce shriveling or a dehydrated appearance. Aloe thrives in bright conditions but prefers indirect sunlight. Exposure to intense, direct sun can cause the leaves to develop a reddish-brown color or appear bleached, which is sunburn. This excessive light causes the plant to lose moisture through transpiration faster than it can be replenished, leading to a shriveled texture.
Temperature extremes also stress the plant, as aloe is adapted to warm climates. Cold shock, occurring when temperatures drop below 50°F, can cause the water stored in the leaves to freeze, damaging the cellular structure. Affected leaves often turn soft, mushy, and translucent, leading to a collapsed appearance. Pests like scale, mealybugs, or spider mites also suck the plant’s internal sap, causing the leaves to become desiccated and shriveled.
Steps for Long-Term Recovery
Once the cause of shriveling is identified and corrected, physical intervention helps the plant focus on recovery. Leaves that are mushy, black, or collapsed from root rot or freeze damage are irreparably damaged. These should be removed with a clean, sharp blade as close to the stem as possible. This pruning prevents the damaged tissue from spreading rot to the healthy parts of the plant.
If root rot is confirmed, the aloe must be removed from its pot for a root inspection. Healthy roots are firm and pale, while rotten roots are dark, soft, and mushy. All decayed material must be trimmed away, and the plant should be repotted in fresh, dry succulent mix. After repotting, withhold water for at least a week to allow cut surfaces to form a protective callus. Monitor the central, newly emerging leaves for signs of firm, plump growth as a marker of successful recovery.