The Aloe Vera is a hardy plant that is a joy to have as a houseplant, as it is extremely easy to care for.
However, Aloe is also sensitive to extreme temperatures, and cold temperatures can be detrimental to the growth of the plant.
If you don't take care of the plant during these situations, it won't survive for too long.
This article will detail the temperatures that affect Aloe Vera and the amount of water it needs to grow.
What Temperature Can Aloe Vera Tolerate?
Aloe Vera can survive in temperatures of 50 to 60F, ideally.
During winters, temperatures below 40 degrees are not good for the plant.
The plant can also tolerate dry air when kept indoors.
Aloe Vera does not need humidity indoors and can grow comfortably in temperatures between 65 to 85F.
If you want to plant your Aloe outdoors, you can do so from May to September.
If the temperature lowers, you can bring the plant inside at nighttime.
Things You Should Do When Outside Temperature Is Too Hot
When your Aloe Vera is exposed to too much sun, there is a good chance the plant will get sunburned.
You will notice the sunburn on the plant when the leaves start to turn brown or show any other form of discoloration.
Aloe plants love being in bright light and warm weather, but too much of it is clearly not suitable for it.
So, when the temperature gets too hot, bring the plant inside to a slightly cooler place that does not receive much direct light.
The plant will turn green again once you bring your plant indoors to a shady area.
The liquid in the Aloe plant leaves makes it susceptible to sunburn, which means that placing your plant near a hot window can lead to sunburn, too.
Large brown or orange patches will begin appearing on the plant when its leaves burn.
Things You Should Do When Outside Temperature Is Too Cold
Aloe plants detest cold temperatures.
Their natural environment is warm and sunny, and this is the climate they thrive in best.
When the outside temperature is too cold, do not leave your plant there.
However, sometimes unexpected frost or cold drafts are inevitable.
In this case, cover your plant with a cotton blanket so that the frost does not get to it.
During winters, you can leave your plant outdoors if your area receives enough sunlight during the day, though it is better to keep the plant indoors throughout the season.
Aloe Vera Light Requirements
Aloe Vera needs approximately six hours of sunlight in a day.
The plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and are definitely not low-light plants.
When the plant does not receive enough light, it starts to weaken.
The leaves start to bend from the base and crease in the middle.
Leggy growth or leaves losing color is also an indication of inadequate lighting conditions.
Your living area might not receive as much natural light as it needs, or you may have placed the plant in a shadier than a sunny place.
Here is what you can do to fix this:
- Choose one window in your home that receives plenty of sunlight and place the plant there. Remember, when you move a plant from a shady area to a sunny spot, it will need to get acclimated first, or it may burn. It is better if the window is south or west-facing.
- In the winter months, you will need to find a bright spot for the plant. If your home does not receive a lot of natural light throughout the year, invest in artificial sources of light.
- Rotate the plant every couple of weeks or so. Otherwise, you may find that your plant is leaning towards the side it gets the light the most.
How Much Water Does An Aloe Plant Need?
The leaves of the Aloe Vera are the parts of the plant that store water, including its roots.
These plants often experience root rot when planted indoors due to incorrect watering practices.
The right way to water the plant is listed as follows:
- The plant should be watered when the soil is ¾ dry. During the summer months, this could vary from 2 to 4 weeks. The time also differs according to the size of the pot and the soil mixture the Aloe is planted in.
- Winter is when the plant goes dormant, so do not water it as much as you do during the summer. Wait for the soil to dry at least ¾ before watering again.
- Ensure that the Aloe pot has drainage holes so that no stagnant water remains in the pot for long.
FAQs
No, Aloe Vera is a hardy plant but is extremely delicate in cold weather.
Since the plant stores its water in the leaves, the cold freezes the leaves and thus damages the Aloe entirely.
It is best not to leave your plant outside in cold weather conditions.
Yes!
Aloe Vera has evolved outdoors in a warm and dry climate, and growing it outside has its own advantages.
It grows faster and stronger, as it can get plenty of light.
However, if the region you live in experiences cold weather for the better part of the year, it is better to place the plant indoors until the climate is warm again.
If your plant is completely frozen, it will turn black and wrinkle.
This is the point of no return for the Aloe.
However, it's more likely that your plant has caught a cold shock, and this is easier to treat.
Bring the plant indoors or if it is already indoors, place it somewhere warm.
Do not water the plant during this time and let it rest in a warm place for a couple of days.
Once a few days have passed, prune the leaves affected by the shock.
In a couple of weeks, fresh leaves will grow from the middle of the plant again.
Bring your plant inside before winter begins so that the plant is not left in the cold.
During summer, if the sun is too harsh, you can place the plant in the shade and bring it back outside when the harshness of the light has decreased.
No, the Aloe Vera is not a low-light plant.
It needs plenty of light to survive and thrive.
Six hours of light is a must for Aloe plants during the summer.
During winter, you can place the Aloe nearer to the light source or use artificial lighting for the Aloe.
Over To You
Aloe Vera is one of the easy-to-grow plants in the world, but it faces temperature tolerance issues.
If the weather conditions are difficult, the plant will find it challenging to cope with such situations.
Hopefully, the above guide will help prevent any severe damage to your Aloe plant during these conditions.
If you still have any queries or doubts, you can leave them in the comments below.
Do share this guide with your friends and family if it helped solve any doubts.
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