Are your Aloe Vera leaves looking a little bit wilted and not as plump as they used to be? This can be a sign of some issues with your Aloe plant, and you need to take action to revive the leaves!
In the following guide, I have shared a few possible solutions to this problem in your plant. So, let's dive in!
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Why Are My Aloe Vera Leaves Not Plump?
One of the reasons why your Aloe Vera leaves might not be looking as plump could be that they are not getting enough water. Aloe Vera leaves store water in their leaves, which makes the leaves appear plump and firm.
Underwatering can cause the leaves to look withered, but water should be given to the Aloe sparingly. Otherwise, you will have to deal with overwatering.
So, here is a list of other reasons why your Aloe Vera leaves are not plump -
- Lack of water
- Irregular watering schedule
- The Aloe plant is not receiving enough sunlight.
- The plant is suffering from a fungal infection.
- Placing the plant in cold temperatures
- Not enough space in the pot
- Your Aloe plant is not mature.
- Your Aloe plant is getting old.
Now, let's look at these reasons in more detail below.
1. Lack Of Water
As mentioned earlier, Aloe Vera leaves need enough water to stay plump and juicy. If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to shrink and wrinkle.
So, it's important to water your Aloe regularly, especially during hot weather. This is the primary cause of Aloe Vera's leaves not being plump.
2. Irregular Watering Schedule
Just like any other plant, Aloe Vera needs a regular watering schedule to keep growing. The leaves will become wrinkled and dry if you water your plant randomly.
Although the Aloe plant doesn't require too much water, it's important to have a consistent watering schedule. Do not skip watering sessions, and make sure the plant gets enough water to stay plump.
3. Not Enough Sunlight
Even though Aloe Vera is a hardy plant, it needs ample sunlight. Without sunlight, it can't produce its own food required for the plant's overall growth. So, when you keep the plant away from direct sunlight, it will be affected adversely.
It impacts directly on the leaves, as they tend to lose their shine and freshness. Ultimately, they will lose their plump texture.
4. Fungal Infection
Although the fungal infection is not a common issue in Aloe plants, you can expect it once in a while if things go wrong with the watering frequency or weather.
So, make sure your plant is not infected with any such issues. Else, it will directly affect the root system as well as the leaves of your Aloe.
5. Cold Weather
Aloe plants generally thrive in warm temperatures. They are naturally built to sustain in harsh warm and hot conditions.
But when it comes to the winters in the United States, the plant may or may not survive at all. You can see these effects almost instantaneously on the plant leaves, as they tend to lose the plump texture and shine from the surface.
In such conditions, I'd suggest you bring the Aloe plants indoors. It will help the plant survive the winter, especially when it's snowing.
6. Pot Size
The pot size is an often-overlooked factor in this problem.
Generally, we look at all the external factors like the weather to find a solution to this leaf issue. But it would help if you also thought of the pot size.
If you have planted the Aloe vera plant in a small pot, you will probably need to repot it in a bigger pot. The large pot size will allow the roots and plants to grow more vigorously. Simultaneously, the leaves will return to their soft and plump texture.
7. Your Aloe Plant Is Not Mature
If you've just bought an Aloe Vera plant, it might not be fully mature yet. It usually takes a few months for an Aloe Vera plant to reach full maturity.
So, if your plant is not mature enough, the leaves will not be as plump as they should be. If you're patient enough, the leaves will eventually become plump as the plant matures.
8. Your Aloe Plant Is Getting Too Old
On the other hand, if your Aloe Vera plant is getting too old, the leaves will become saggy and wrinkled. This is because, as the plant ages, it will produce less moisture.
This is a typical issue with older Aloe Vera plants, and there's not much you can do about it. The only solution is to replace the plant with a new one.
Note: Overfertlizing can also adversely affect the leaves and roots of your Aloe plant.
How To Make Aloe Vera Leaves Plump
Now that we have seen the reasons for Aloe Vera leaves not being plump, let us look at some methods that can be used to make them plump again.
Here's what you can do to address this issue -
- Water the plant well and allow the soil to drain completely.
- Place the plant in a sunny spot.
- Fertilize regularly.
- Prune the plant regularly to encourage new growth.
- Avoid overwatering.
With these simple tips, you should be able to get your Aloe Vera leaves looking plump in no time!
How To Water Your Aloe Vera Plant
The Aloe plant needs to be watered well, and the remaining water in the pot must be drained thoroughly.
Before watering again, dip your fingers into the soil to see if it is completely dry; only then should you water again. The frequency with which you should water your Aloe plant depends on the following factors.
- The time of the year
- Age of the plant
- The climate of the space the plant is kept in
- Quality of drainage
- The material of the container
During spring and summertime, your Aloe should be watered only during the morning to early evening. However, when it gets colder, you can water it at any time of the day.
Depending on external factors, you can water the plant for anywhere between 3 to 10 days. Plants that are three years and older should be watered less frequently, but they need an ample amount of water to thrive.
The reason why younger plants should be watered frequently is that these plants require less soil, and therefore the water is evaporated quickly. The dormant period for Aloe plants is from fall to winter.
The length of daylight is shorter, so they prepare to go dormant during this time. There is also minimal growth of the plant, so it is important to have a good gap between watering sessions.
During fall, a 2–3-week gap is sufficient, and during winters, you can go almost a month without watering the Aloe. However, if your Aloe is kept in a specific climate throughout the year, you can decrease the gap to 2-3 weeks, even during winter.
Have a look at the following watering guide for Aloe plants -
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 over-water 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.
The most obvious reason is underwatering; however, the reason might also be a narrow pot or container that does not give the plant enough place to grow.
Excessive sunlight or too little sun can cause the aloe plant to turn white, red, or brown. Improper drainage or watering schedule are common reasons the plant turns white.
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