Oftentimes, non-plump Aloe Vera leaves are a sign of a lack of water in the plant’s system.
To address this problem, you must water the plant, adjust the watering frequency, and provide well-draining soil. Following these remedies will rejuvenate the plant, and the leaves will turn plump again in 3 to 4 weeks.
Moreover, you should follow standard care guidelines to fully revive the plant. So, let’s explore this topic in detail in the following guide.
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9 Solutions For Restoring Aloe Vera Leaf Plumpness
Here’s how you can achieve lush and fleshy Aloe Vera leaves –
1. Water Your Aloe Vera Plant Wisely
Proper watering is key to plump Aloe Vera leaves, but overwatering often leads to rot and thin leaves.
To promote plumpness, water your Aloe thoroughly, especially when the potting medium is dry to the touch.
I prefer watering my Aloe Vera plants every 10-15 days. You can adjust the watering frequency according to the plant size and weather conditions.
Here’s a quick Aloe Vera watering guide for reference –
| Seasons | Watering Frequency | Small Plant | Medium Plant | Large Plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring & Summer | Every 2-3 weeks | 1/4 – 1/2 cup (60-120 ml) | 1/2 – 1 cup (120-240 ml) | 1 – 2 cups (240-480 ml) |
| Fall | Every 3-4 weeks | 1/8 – 1/4 cup (30-60 ml) | 1/4 – 1/2 cup (60-120 ml) | 1/2 – 1 cup (120-240 ml) |
| Winter | Every 4-6 weeks | 1/8 cup (30 ml) | 1/4 cup (60 ml) | 1/2 cup (120 ml) |
2. Opt For Well-Draining Soil
As mentioned above, non-plump leaves indicate a lack of water in the plant.
To address this issue, use well-draining soil for your Aloe Vera plant. This is crucial for maintaining adequate moisture levels.
If you choose compact soil, the roots will have difficulty absorbing water and nutrients. Also, this type of soil retains water, which can eventually lead to root rot.
3. Provide Sufficient Sunlight
Aloe Vera thrives in sunlight. So, provide 4-5 hours of direct sunlight to the plant.
Placing it in a well-lit place will help regain plumpness in your Aloe Vera leaves.
4. Prune Dead Leaves
Pruning will help get rid of dead and damaged leaves from the plant. At the same time, it will encourage the plant to produce new leaves.
This is another effective strategy to get new plump leaves on the plant.
When pruning, remove the leaves entirely using sharp scissors. Don’t cut them in the middle, as they don’t look great aesthetically.
5. Repot Strategically
Repotting is necessary for overgrown Aloe Vera with thin and concave leaves.
Similarly, when your Aloe Vera starts to produce pups, consider repotting. It allows the main plant to rejuvenate and come up with plumper leaves.
Once you’ve repotted the mother plant, repot the harvested baby plants into smaller pots.
6. Choose The Right Pot Size
A larger pot allows your Aloe to focus its energy on leaf growth rather than producing pups. If the pot is small, the soil will have fewer nutrients, and make the recovery even more difficult.
To select the right pot size, get one size bigger pot than the current pot. It will help your plant with extra space for growth.
7. Keep Pests At Bay
Keep an eye on pests like Aloe Mites. These can stunt growth and result in pale, skinny leaves.
Additionally, watch out for root, stem, and leaf rot, which can be prevented by avoiding overwatering.
If you observe any such pests, use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Spraying one of these solutions will help remove the unwanted pests from your Aloe Vera plant.
8. Maintain The Right Temperature
Maintain a temperature range of 55-90°F (13-32°C) for your Aloe Vera.
Move your plant indoors before frost sets in. It will help protect from cold shock issues.
Aloe Vera plants don’t do well in extreme cold and rainy conditions. So, make sure your plant gets the right conditions.
9. Go Easy On Fertilizers
Aloe Vera doesn’t require a lot of fertilizers. It prefers regular gardening soil over nutrient-rich soil.
So, fertilize sparingly, ideally 2-4 times a year.
For fertilizers, use homemade compost or vermicompost. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are more effective in large-leaf plants like Aloe Vera.
With these simple tips, you should be able to get your Aloe Vera leaves looking plump in no time!
Why Are My Aloe Vera Leaves Thin?
Whenever the Aloe Vera plant doesn’t receive sufficient water, its leaves begin to lose their plumpness and turn dry over the period.
Aloe Vera leaves store water in their leaves, which makes them appear plump and firm. So, you need to focus primarily on fixing the watering schedule for your plant.
Besides, there are other reasons too.
Here’s a complete list –
- Lack of Water
- Improper Watering Schedule
- Insufficient Sunlight
- Fungus Infection
- Harsh Weather and Frequent Temperature Fluctuations
- Small-Sized Pot or Limited Space In The Pot
- Immature Aloe Plant
- Old and Overgrown Aloe Vera
Once you identify these causes in your Aloe plant, it will be easier for you to tackle the dry leaves issue.
FAQs
Underwatering your Aloe is the main reason the leaves fall flat. If the plant is in good condition, it retains water in the leaves. But if you overwater it, the leaves turn mushy. If it’s underwatered, the leaves begin to pucker.
Overwatering is likely the reason that the Aloe plant turns mushy.
To avoid this, plan your watering sessions well so that the plant is well-watered. Frequent watering is not required during winter and fall but is encouraged during summer and spring.
Stressed Aloe Vera plants bear curled leaves because it signifies that the plant needs to be watered.
When you see this, you should know it’s time to water the Aloe. Also, moving the plant inside is better if the temperature is too hot outside.
Excessive sunlight or too little sun can cause the Aloe plant to turn white, red, or brown. Improper drainage or watering schedules are common reasons the plant turns white.
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