Why Does Aloe Vera Gel Turn Purple? Aloe vera is among the most popular indoor plants. Its thick, succulent leaves are filled with a watery liquid, making it appear fuller. There are thorns on the edges of the leaves to keep them safe from predators, and they look like a rose at first glance. It’s a quick-growing succulent that takes 3 to 4 years to mature. So, why does aloe vera gel turn purple?
Aloe Vera becoming purple is an indication of the plant attempting to adapt to its surroundings. It can also turn pale or change colors for a variety of reasons. Sun exposure, overwatering, temperature variations, transplant shock, phosphorus insufficiency, nutritional deficit, and over-fertilizing are all possible causes of this color shift.
Why Does Aloe Vera Gel Turn Purple?
A chemical reaction can occur that results in the gel of aloe vera turning purple when it is exposed to the air. This oxidation process is what causes the gel to start turning purple. Many fruits can oxidize if they are left outside and turn brown.
This problem can be solved by storing aloe leaves in the refrigerator, which can keep them free of bacterial infection and extend the leaf’s life. Adding lemon juice to aloe gel, which contains vitamin C, can extend the life of the gel for 1-2 week.
There are a variety of environmental elements that might cause leaves to turn purple when they are growing, including low temperatures and full sunshine, which are both indicators of chlorophyll in the leaves’ green tint.
Can You Use Aloe Vera When It Turns Purple?
Can you use aloe vera when it turns purple?
This is not something you want to use if your aloe vera gel has turned purple or pink inside. It’s possible that the chemical reaction that spoils food has already taken place inside the aloe vera gel. Purple gel should not be used since it is originally translucent and can be kept with lemon juice. If not, it should not be used.
Can I Eat Purple Aloe Vera?
Purple aloe vera should not be eaten because you won’t be able to tell what you’re eating. It only changes color once the decomposition process begins, and once it gets purple, brown, or black, it is no longer edible. You should not eat purple aloe vera since it may become infected with fungus or bacteria, compromising its natural form.
Although it’s edible, it is commonly used on the skin for sunburns and wound healing. If you’d like to learn how I resurrected my sunburned aloe vera plant, go here.
Aloe Vera Gel Turned Purple in the Fridge?
No, aloe vera gel will not turn purple if stored in the refrigerator. At room temperature, aloe vera leaves may undergo a chemical reaction with the environment, resulting in the formation of bacteria, which can result in color changes such as brown, black, or purple.
If not preserved, aloe vera leaf or juice can be kept in the fridge for a few days but will eventually become purple or another color. It operates the same way as other veggies in that you can’t keep them indefinitely because they will start to decay or degrade their original form and begin to break down if not kept in a cool freezer.
How to Remove the Gel from an Aloe Vera Leaf
Step 1: Remove the leaf’s base
The first step is to cut the leaf’s base off at a little slant with a sharp knife. It’s also a good idea to get rid of the pointy tip.
Step 2: Drain the aloin from the leaf
Allow the yellow sap to drain from the aloe leaf for approximately 10 minutes. While aloin is not harmful, it has a highly bitter taste and can cause stomach discomfort, therefore it is preferable to dispose of it.
Step 3: Remove serrated edges
Remove the leaf’s serrated edges using a sharp knife.
Step 4: Remove the top outer layer
Make sure to peel off the leaf’s outer skin with a vegetable peeler or knife, exposing the transparent jelly-like material inside. While switching from a paring knife proved to be the most convenient method, any sharp knife would do in this situation. It’s now either time to slice through the bottom of the leaf with a knife or scoop out the transparent liquid with a spoon.
Step 5: Collect aloe gel and keep it safe
Remove any leftover green leaf fragments. If any reddish-brown residues of the aloin sap are visible, cut them out of the gel or just rinse them away. Aloe gel is easy to store if you cut it into 1-inch cubes and put them in a container with a lid. Blending aloe gel into a face mask or smoothie is another popular usage for this versatile plant’s gel.
What Can I Do When My Aloe Vera Turns Purple?
The reasons why an Aloe Vera plant changes colors are the ones listed above. To avoid this, you must properly care for your succulents. Here are some suggestions for keeping your Aloe Vera healthy and green.
If the plants are getting too much sun, move them to the shade. When bringing the Aloe Vera outside for the first time, give it time to adjust to its new circumstances, especially direct sunshine. Depending on the weather, you should water your Aloe Vera plant every two weeks on average.
Fungal infection, aloe rust, and other microbial infestations can cause your aloe vera plant to succumb to overwatering during the hottest months of the year. If you observe any evidence of pests or discoloration, change the fertilizer. To restore the soil’s pH to its proper range, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
If the weather suddenly changes, bring the plant indoors because temperature swings cause aloe vera to turn. Nothing appreciates being watered “too much,” as the term “too much” implies. They’re succulent, so they don’t require as much water as other plants. The brief rule is to allow the soil to totally dry between waterings before extensively watering it.
When the weather is hot and dry, this house plant can grow to be as large as any other. So, until it is accustomed to the sunniest windowsill in the home, my recommendation might be to gradually increase the amount of light it receives and to completely water it whenever it dies.
What is the Natural Color of an Aloe Vera Gel?
The hue of aloe vera gel in its natural state can range from crystal clear to a pale yellow. Commercial aloe vera gel is frequently green due to the use of commercial colors.
Whenever you cut open an aloe vera leaf, the gel will transform from clear to pink to crimson in a matter of minutes, depending on how much air it has been exposed to. If an aloe vera plant is planted in poor soil or in direct sunlight, the gel from the aloe vera plant will turn red.
The process of converting one form of a nutrient into another causes some of the nutrients to change hue. This aloe vera gel may have a higher concentration of vitamin B12 (pink/red), however this hasn’t been fully explored.
Aloe vera should always be trimmed and harvested as needed, as it isn’t appropriate for long-term storage. Think about harvesting and storing food in the freezer for future use, if necessary.
Is It a Bad Thing For Your Aloe Vera Gel to Become Pink?
The hue of natural aloe vera changes depending on the harvesting season. It usually has a clear to slightly golden tint. It is normally not recommended to utilize aloe vera that has been preserved inside pink color. It’s not good if it turns pink after being removed from the plant.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Stay Fresh?
Aloe vera gel that hasn’t been supplemented with vitamin E or C could be kept in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to one week. Vitamins, on the other hand, extend the shelf life of the product by as much as two months in the fridge.
Best Aloe Vera Gel
1. Seven Minerals’ Aloe Vera Gel
The gel will give you the aloe vera sensation you desire. Seaweed extract, rather than xanthan or carbomer, is used as a thickening in Seven Minerals’ Aloe Vera Gel instead of synthetic ones. The cold-pressed composition contains citric acid to balance skin pH levels. It also contains vitamin C to help it enter quickly into the skin, resulting in soft, smooth skin. It also heals cracks, skin irritation, itching, sunburns, and blisters, as well as reducing dandruff and frizz, treats wounds, and provides relief from eczema and psoriasis. This versatile gel may be the answer to all of your skin, face, and hair problems.
Pros:
- Natural cold-pressed
- Skin that is dry and cracked is repaired.
- Skin irritation, itching, and rashes are relieved.
Cons:
- The aroma may be too much for certain people.
2. Pura d’or Healing Organic Aloe Vera Gel
With a scent of lavender and organic aloe vera gel, you’ll be delighted at how fast this nourishing gel penetrates into your skin. This cruelty-free or non-toxic aloe vera gel for hair and skin is incredibly hydrating and refreshing, and it’s made with renewable energy to deliver better beauty and skin care solutions. Made with vitamins and minerals, it stops itching, irritation, dryness, redness, and flakes without leaving any greasy residue on your hair or skin. It could also improve the health and manageability of your hair by eliminating frizz.
Pros:
- It has no artificial preservatives
- Hypoallergenic
- Provide relief from sunburn and insect bites
Cons:
- This product contains a synthetic scent
Conclusion on Why Does Aloe Vera Gel Turn Purple?
Aloe vera is popular among indoor gardeners because of its vibrant green color. The color of aloe vera leaves can change due to a variety of circumstances, including how they are cared for. It’s not a problem if your aloe vera turns purple. Aloe Vera will be fine if you follow the care instructions outlined in this article. I’m simply curious as to how you handle the purpling of your aloe vera leaves.