Why Is My Aloe Plant Drooping?

6 Most Common Causes Of Droopy Aloe

Some of the most common reasons your aloe plant is droopy include:

Not Enough Light

Your aloe plant is a hardy houseplant that requires lots of bright indirect light, though you should be careful of exposing them to too much full sun. Considered to be a desert plant, the aloe will grow toward light sources when there is a lack of sunlight. The leaves may begin to droop as the stem reaches for the light, causing it to become thinner and weaker.

Solution

• Place your plant where it will get enough sunlight to thrive.

• Try to avoid too much direct sunlight. If your plant does get direct sun, try to place it in an east-facing window sill so it gets morning sun, not hot afternoon sun.

Too Much Moisture

These native desert succulents don’t need too much water. Like other succulents, they store a lot of water in their fleshy leaves, and can go long periods without water. It is easy to end up overwatering them if you have them on a standard weekly watering schedule.

Too much moisture can lead to basal stem rot, or root rot, in these indoor plants. This will lead to drooping leaves and the eventual demise of the plant itself.

Solution

• Avoid overwatering your plant by creating a customized watering schedule according to your plant’s needs and growing conditions. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

• Choose a well-draining soil or potting mix and a pot with proper drainage holes to avoid excess water sitting in the pot.

Too Little Water

Just as you want to avoid overwatering your aloe, you also want to make sure it is getting enough water. Underwatering your aloe plant is easier to correct than overwatering, though it is imperative to act quickly when you notice the signs. Dull, flat, droopy leaves, crispy brown leaf tips, and shriveled leaves are signs your aloe needs a big drink of water.

Solution

• Water your plant thoroughly. If you are top watering, pour water until it comes through the drainage holes in the pot. If you are watering from the bottom, submerge the bottom of the pot in a container of 1”-2” of water. Once you notice the top soil is damp, your plant has been sufficiently watered.

• You may need to water a second time to fill the leaves back up so that they return to being perky.

Outgrown Its Pot

Though aloe are generally slow-growing, mature aloe plants will typically reach around two feet tall when kept as houseplants and rarely require repotting. However, large aloe leaves are heavy. If the container is too small, the weight of the plant can cause the pot to over and damage the plant.

Solution

• Replant your aloe plant in a new pot. Choosing a larger terracotta or clay pot can help ensure that it won’t tip over, as these are heavier and sturdier than plastic pots.

• When you repot your aloe plant, make sure to use well-draining potting soil and choose a pot with drainage holes for the water to escape.

• Once you’ve repotted your plant, you can try tying the leaves together or staking them to keep them stable as the roots establish their hold.

Pest Infestation

For the most part, aloe plants are pest-free. However, certain pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and mites may invade and suck the sap out of the aloe plant leaves. If the infestation becomes bad, the plant’s leaves may begin to look droopy or wilted.

Wet soil or fungal infections can also attract fungus gnats to your aloe. In addition to treating the pests, reduce your watering schedule to prevent gnats.

Solution

• Use pesticides such as insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil. Before using a pesticide, make sure to check and see if it is suitable for cacti or succulents.

• You can use rubbing alcohol on the leaves to get rid of the pests by dabbing a cotton swab in and lightly swabbing the insects while they are attached to the plant.

Fungal Infections

Aloe rust is a common fungal disease in aloe plants that causes black or brown spots to appear on your aloe leaves. This can also lead to wilted or drooping leaves.

Solution

• Provide adequate sunlight for your plant.

• Avoid wetting the leaves of your aloe plant.

• Avoid overcrowding your plants. Give them some space between one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you perk up an aloe vera plant?

The answer to this question depends on the reason for the droopy plant in the first place. The answer may be to give your plant water or to stop watering it. You may need to move it to a place in your home that receives more sunlight, or you might need to treat a pest infestation or fungal disease.

What does an aloe plant need to grow?

An aloe plant needs a lot of sunlight, a minimal regular watering schedule, and warm temperatures to grow.

Should I cut limp leaves from my aloe plant?

If your aloe vera leaves are drooping, sometimes they can be salvaged. However, if they are turning brown and mushy, or are too far gone from a pest infestation, then you should prune the damaged leaves from your plant. Cut the leaves at the base of the plant, as cut leaves will not regrow from a wound. Cutting from the base will maintain the aesthetics of the plant.