When growing aloe vera indoors, bending aloe vera leaves is a frequent issue. And this can be hard to tell especially when you have no idea what caused it.
Due to a lack of light, aloe vera plant leaves will bend. The aloe vera plants can grow lanky and bend toward the light source when there is insufficient illumination. Incorrect container sizes, fungal infections, and inappropriate watering contribute to this widespread issue.
However, the issue is quite simple to resolve. You must first decide what the cause is. Your task will become much simpler as a result. This post will teach you the causes and remedies for bending aloe vera plant leaves.
Let’s begin straight away.
What Causes Aloe Vera Leaves To Bend?
There are various causes for the bending of aloe vera plant leaves. Succulent plants including aloe vera plants are highly particular about the conditions they need to grow in. They’ll tell you if you don’t meet their needs by displaying various outward signs. For instance, the leaves may bend, go brown, or turn yellow.
Let’s investigate the root causes of this issue and discuss possible solutions.
Unsuitable Lighting
Aloe vera enjoys warmth and sunlight, as you are fully aware. For the plant to thrive, you must provide a bright area. Whether it is natural or artificial light doesn’t matter.
Your aloe plants’ leaves may wilt if there isn’t enough light. Aloe vera can also become pale or white when there is not enough light. Nevertheless, prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause Aloe vera plant leaves to turn red.
The physiological functions are decreased by insufficient light, resulting in weak or thin leaves. The fragile leaves may eventually wrinkle or bend. Aloe vera growing long is another sign of insufficient light.
Solution For Lighting
The greatest location for your aloe vera plant is one that is warm, bright, and dry. On the windowsill, balcony, or terrace, for instance, in a pot. It does, however, also flourish in some shade.
You can utilize an artificial light source to help your bending aloe vera grow if your home doesn’t get enough natural light. In little time at all, things will return to normal.
Keep your plant container out of the bathroom. This warm, humid atmosphere is not conducive to aloe vera growth.
Mistakes When Watering
To remove the stagnant water from the container, it is crucial to have a drainage system that is in working order. If not, your aloe vera will contract fungus-related illnesses such as root rot.
Before the root rot disease is recognized, it has already caused irreparable harm. A root-rotted aloe vera that has been overwatered is exceedingly difficult to save.
Aloe that has been submerged in water can be revived in a matter of days, but it can die from being overwatered. No worries, there is a way to prevent improper watering.
Solution For Watering
Consider the season while deciding how frequently to water. Your aloe vera grows best in the summer. You must water it more regularly than you would in the winter.
To thrive, your aloe vera only has to be watered once every two weeks. Once more, you must ensure that the container’s extra water is drained.
Desert plants like aloe vera can store water for later use. As a result, you don’t need to worry too much about it submerging because it can last for a while without water.
Fungal Illness
Your aloe vera plant could face a significant issue due to this. Due to the illness known as dry rot, aloe leaves might bow. Dry rot in aloe vera is brought on by a fungus.
Your aloe vera becomes internally dry due to dry rot. In the later stages of the infestation, the visible signs (yellowing, BendingBending, and drying of the leaves) start to show.
Solution For Fungal Infection
You must eliminate the diseased plant since dry rot is an incurable disease. Your aloe plant can only be kept from dry rot by consistent preventive actions. Careful attention, consistent watering, and sufficient light will prevent the disease.
The fungus endures for a very long time on the container’s walls. As a result, you must purchase a new container for a transplant.
Reduced Temperature
Aloe plants adore warmth and light, as you likely already know. You can experience bent leaves if your aloe vera plant is subjected to high temperatures below 10°C/50°F.
The window’s cool air may be the source, or the water used for watering is too chilly.
Solution For Temperature
High temperatures pose no concerns for aloe plants. However, the optimum range is between 18 and 25 °C/64. 4-77 °F. Nevertheless, you must adjust the watering frequency if the temperature exceeds 30 °C/86 °F.
But only when the temperature hits 7 °C/44.6 °F should you feel frightened. This level of humidity is crucial for aloe vera plants kept inside.
Biofilm Soft Rot
As implied by the name, bacteria are to blame for this illness. Your immature aloe vera plant’s leaves will bend as a result. This illness soon spreads across the entire plant.
This illness is fairly simple to identify. The affected leaves will inflate as gas forms inside them and become darker.
Solution For Rot
You shouldn’t be too concerned about this illness. Because if you are attentive to your management techniques, you will do well. The causative bacteria can persist in plant residues and manifest in hot, humid conditions.
Bacterial rot is brought on by overwatering your aloe vera. So, keep track of how often you water. You should water your aloe plant when the substrate is absolutely dry in the winter.
Shallow Container
For your aloe vera plant to grow, container size is crucial. Aloe vera’s roots become entangled in small containers.
Allowing an aloe plant to grow in a compact or shallow container is acceptable when it is a young plant. The fibrous root of the aloe plant requires more room as the plant grows.
Solution For Bad Container
Then how do you choose the container’s ideal size? This is how:
The roots, the walls, and the bottom should all have 1-2 cm of room between them in the pot. When your aloe vera becomes larger, you will know it’s time to repot plant when you notice bending leaves.
Should I Remove Sagging Aloe Vera Leaves?
If the aloe’s outer leaves are sagging, but the inner leaves are still upright, trim the outer leaves back to the base. Because they do not recover from wounds, avoid trimming individual leaves halfway. Start by removing any very light green development that cannot support itself because greatly weakened drooping leaves frequently cannot stand back up. Only leave the remaining center leaves. Reducing the plant’s size allows it to recover and produce more aloe leaves.
Can You Straighten Aloe Vera Bent Leaves?
Stopping the BendingBending of aloe vera plants is the only way out. Sadly, it cannot be fixed once it has been bent. Cutting them off and using them is preferable.
So you realize that your aloe leaves will be protected from bending and other issues with correct care. Here are some guidelines for basic indoor aloe vera plant care. You can prevent your aloe leaves from drooping by using these care suggestions.
Lighting
Aloe enjoys bright light and sunlight. On windows facing south or southeast, it thrives. You must maintain uniform lighting conditions to arrange the leaves in a regular pattern. Ensure that it does not receive any direct sunlight so that it does not burn.
Temperature
Aloe is remarkably adaptable when it comes to temperature variations. Resists its ascent above +26°C/78.8°F without difficulty. Frost is intolerable to it. In the winter, the temperature might drop significantly. However, ensure that the room temperature does not drop below +10 °C/50 °F.
As the soil commences drying out, water it. In the summer, 1-2 days; in the winter, 2 weeks. You should use regular, warm water. Don’t allow a water pool in the leaf outlet’s middle. Overwatering the plant will result in rotting roots; therefore, avoid doing so. The roots underneath the pot are those that take in moisture. This is why bottom watering is frequently used. Cleanse the dust leaves by wiping them from time to time with a moist cloth.
Soil
Turf, leafy soil, humus, and sand are good soil preparation options. The remaining components are added one at a time, whereas the turf requires two portions.
Aloe can also be grown in pre-made soil mixtures. Add some charcoal and brick pieces to the soil to help it become looser.
Fertilizing
Containers for aloe vera rarely receive fertilizer. If you like, only once every month. Before fertilizing, water the ground. After transplanting, wait six months before applying fertilizer.
Transplantation. Aloe plants must first be transplanted annually. Utilizing a bigger pot each time. You can either replace the topsoil or do transplantation once every three years.
Final Words
The aloe vera plant needs only a little watering, a good substrate, and a pot that is carefully chosen. The problem will not arise thanks to the fundamental care guidelines and precautions.