A sunburnt Aloe Vera plant typically shows reddish-brown tips on the leaves, yellow leaves, brown leaves, sunspots, curly and wilting leaves, and dry soil in the pot.
It happens because of overexposure to the direct sunlight and underwatering. However, you can resolve the problem by relocating the plant to a shaded place and adjusting its watering schedule. It will help recover your plant in 2-3 weeks.
In this guide, I have shared my insights and experiences on this Aloe plant problem. So, let's dive into it!
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6 Signs Of Sunburnt Aloe Vera Plant
As discussed earlier, these are the common signs I've experienced in my sunburnt Aloe plants -
- Yellow Leaves
- Brown Leaves
- Reddish-Brown Edges On The Leaves
- Sunspots On The Leaves
- Curly And Wilting Leaves
- Dry Soil
If your Aloe plant exhibits similar signs, it's likely to be the sunburnt plant issue. Other than that, overwatering and root rot are also possible causes of yellow and brown leaves.
So, you need to examine your Aloe more closely and work on the solutions accordingly.
How To Fix Sunburnt Aloe Plant
If you find that your Aloe plant is sunburnt, do not worry, as it is easy to revive the plant back to its normal condition.
Here are the primary solutions to revive your Aloe Vera plant -
1. Avoid Direct Sunlight
As you know, harsh sunlight is the key reason for sunburnt Aloe.
So, for a few days, remove the Aloe plant from its existing place. Instead, place it in the middle of the room, possibly on top of a table, where it will not be subject to sunlight.
If you keep your Aloe under artificial lights, you will need to take different steps, such as creating a greater distance between your Aloe and the source of light.
If this still does not help the Aloe, you should probably take it away from artificial light conditions and place it in a spot where it can receive natural light.
2. Water The Plant Adequately
Sometimes, your plant may be underwatered, and in this case, the leaves turn brown when they receive too much light.
Aloe plants usually do not need regular watering. Still, if you see underwatering symptoms on the plant, it might be because of exposure to too much sun. Also, make sure you do not overwater the plant, as it can lead to other issues like root rot.
3. Change The Watering Frequency
Aloe plants need more water during the summer and less during the winter.
You can change the duration of time between watering sessions depending on the climate. If your home remains cool throughout the year, water the plant less, especially during winters.
4. Remove The Sunburnt Leaves
Removing the dead leaves helps the plant stay well, as these leaves usually take away the nutrients from the other leaves.
You can use a sharp and sterilized knife to cut the leaf at the bottom, near the root, completely.
If both the above methods do not work, your plant might need more attention. In this case, you should consider repotting your plant. It will also give you an idea of whether you can revive the plant or not.
5. Examine The Plant For Signs Of Stress Or Further Damage
Once you have moved your plant to a shaded location and watered it deeply, check the plant for signs of stress or further damage.
If the leaves are still wilted and/or discolored, examine them closely to see if they can be saved. If the leaves are black or brown, they are probably dead and will need to be trimmed.
So, trim off any dead leaves and try to revive the plant as best you can.
Here's an informative video on how to cut the dead leaves from sunburned Aloe plant -
You should perform this task after a couple of weeks, as the plant will need time to recover from the stress of being sunburnt.
Can Aloe Plant Recover From Sunburn?
Yes, the Aloe plant can completely recover from sunburn.
First, remove the plant from direct sunlight. Move it to a place where it won't receive intense sunlight. Once you move the plant, keep a close eye on it for 3-4 days.
Next, water the plant if you haven't already. Let it drain out from the pot.
This two-step process will help recover the plant from sunburn issues.
Things To Do When Aloe Plant Doesn't Recover From Sunburn
It's possible that the plant may not recover entirely from this issue, especially when it's been sunburnt for an extended period.
However, there are things you can do to reduce the damage and help the plant -
1. Keep Watering Your Plant Regularly
Do not stop watering the plant even if it doesn't show signs of wilting. The plant may have lost a lot of water content and needs time to recover. Watering it regularly will help replenish the moisture and hydrate the leaves.
2. Add Fresh Soil To The Pot
Similar to watering, the fresh soil mix can do wonders for your Aloe plant.
The new soil will provide essential nutrients the plant may be lacking and help aerate the existing soil. So, this is an important step to making the last attempts to revive your Aloe plant.
3. Fertilize It Lightly (Every Few Weeks)
Fertilizers are always a great way to give an extra nutrient boost to your plants. But, when it comes to Aloe plants that are sunburnt, you need to be careful not to overdo it.
Light fertilization once every few weeks should be sufficient. You should always use a diluted fertilizer solution to avoid further damage to the plant. You should also observe the plant for a few days to see any positive changes.
Moreover, the recovery process is not something that happens overnight. You will need to give some time for the plant to heal and re-grow. So, be patient and keep up with the care routine!
If there are no changes or the plant's condition deteriorates, it's best to let it go and start afresh with a new plant.
FAQs
If the leaves of your Aloe plant start turning pale, have brown spots appear on them and show red-brown tips, your plant is probably sunburnt.
Another way to identify if the plant is sunburnt is by checking whether the soil is too dry. If the soil is dry, the plant is underwatered and will get sunburnt easily.
Yes, you can trim off the tips of your Aloe plant that have turned reddish-brown to keep it well.
The tips are dying anyway, so it would help the plant remain well if they are pruned. For small to medium-sized plants, use a knife to prune the tips. For larger plants, you can use sharp shears.
No, Aloe plants need plenty of light, but it is better if they are placed in a room where they can receive indirect sunlight.
It is one of the most tolerant indoor plants in the world. So, you don't have to worry too much about the sunlight issue. You only need to take care of the watering frequency for this beautiful plant.
Aloe plant turns mushy because of overwatering.
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.
Linda McDougall says
Thank you so much! I’ve many plants in containers, but our Mexican sun this year is ruthless. Drought follows drought and my huge aloe vera plants are obviously sunburned. I shall follow your most comforting advice con much gusto!!
Harshad says
You're welcome, Linda!
I'm glad you found this guide useful. Cheers!