Why Is My Aloe Plant Turning Red? (Causes and Fix)

Aloe vera plants are African and prefer dry climates. Aloe vera, also known as Alove Vera, is a succulent that requires very little care. However, they can die if not taken care of properly.

Overexposure to sunlight, inadequate watering, or low watering is all common reasons why Aloe vera plants turn reddish brown. These sudden temperature changes (sunburn) can also be caused by a deficiency of salts, too many minerals (over fertilizer), poor soil mix, bugs and mold.

My aloe vera plant became reddish brown after I moved it from indoor to outside. This caused the plant to lose more moisture and heat. Also, I overwatered it. The plant turned red.

What is the reason your aloe vera plant turns red? Many aloe plant leaves turn red when exposed to bright sunlight. The effects of cold temperatures, fertilizer shock, recent planting, and overwatering can all cause foliage to become discolored. Most problems can be solved quickly by correcting the plant’s care.

A brief explanation of why aloe vera plants turn red

There are hundreds of Aloe species in the Aloe genus. They come in many sizes and shapes. It is also known as the miracle plant, because of its healing and cosmetic properties. Aloe Vera gel sap is especially effective in treating skin conditions.

Aloe vera naturally turns red in response to intense sunlight. This browning protects the leaves from sunburn.

However, an aloe leaf can become “chatty” if it is unhappy. Changes in the color of an aloe leaf do not necessarily mean that it is in danger, but they can be a sign of its health.

Plants can take on different colors due to stress, environmental changes or other factors. It’s important that you determine the root cause of your plant’s unusual color and fix it.

Notice: The Aloe Vera plant can be cut or removed without causing damage.

We will first examine the normal reaction of plants to bright light. Then we will look at any potential problems. After the problem is solved, a stressed plant will usually quickly recover its normal color.

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Reasons Aloe Plant Turning Red (How to Fix)

These were the steps I took to save my plant from being red.

1. Sunlight Exposure

Did you notice any brown or pale-red patches on the leaves of aloe vera plants? It is likely that the sun has caused sunburnt leaves.

Aloe vera that is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time will not survive in extreme heat conditions, such as the middle of the desert.

This is most likely if your aloe vera plants are moved from indoors to outdoors, from partial shade to full sunlight throughout the day. Sunburn can occur on aloe vera leaf leaves. Red patches can be seen on aloe vera leaf leaves

You can easily get sunburnt if you move an aloe vera plant to warmer climate conditions.

How to cure sunburnt Aloe vera plant?

1. Plants should be protected from the sun.

You should limit sun exposure for aloe vera plants that are sunburnt.

You can move the plant to partial sun to revive it. You can move it indoors to give it partial shade or indirect sunlight.

Keep your pot close to the window. Also, make sure that it is not facing southwest. Make sure they get indirect sunlight to keep them from getting too hot.

2. Keep transition period (adjustment period)

You need to move the aloe plants from a colder place to a warmer one. You need to slowly move it for a few days to ensure it doesn’t get sunshock!

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2. Overwatering

Overwatering and poor drainage are two of the leading causes for aloe vera plants to turn red.

Aloe vera is a member of the Succulents group. It doesn’t like too much water, so it needs to have drainage.

Aloe vera should not be watered as often as other plants. Also, don’t assume that it will grow well if you water it daily.

You can either overwater or have one of two causes.

• Wattering frequently (or even daily).
• You might have overwatered once you’ve irrigated for a few days or for another reason.

Above two situations you water it, but you don’t have the proper soil to drain it properly, in this case, this leads to problems for aloe vera plants

If your plant shows signs of overwatering, such as large or small color spots that feel squishy when touched, it is most likely suffering from an overwatering issue.

You should check the soil’s moisture levels before you water it. You should not water if the soil feels sticky.

How can I fix the problem of aloe vera plants overwatering?

1. Allow water to dry for a while. Unload any water that is still standing.

This problem can be easily solved. If you have overwatered your Aloe Vera plant, you will need to drain the excess water from the pot and dry it.

You should not keep your plants in direct sunlight while you do this activity. If you do, you could expose roots to the sun.

While the plant is drying, you can take out the dead leaves.

2. Make sure the soil and drainage holes are correct for your pot.

Your aloe vera plant’s soil pot must drain the water well. Your pot does not have a drainage hole in the bottom.

You can create a drainage hole in the plan or move it to another one that has proper drainage and soil.

A cactus soil mixture or one part of builders sand should be used, while the other parts of the potting mix can be used. You may also use marble stones to enhance aesthetics.

Pots too deep will hold water for longer than pots that are narrower or wider.

It is best to choose a larger pot with a lower height, whether you are purchasing a plant or making your own.

3. Improve watering habits

Aloe vera plants do not require as much water or care as other plants. If you do this, your plant may be overwatered.

Before you water again, wait until the soil is dry to the top.

Aloe vera plants are watered most often every other week or every 10 days. It all depends on the season.

Experts recommend that you test the soil before watering aloe vera plants. You can do this by placing your hand in the soil and checking the moisture level. You should not water the soil if it is sticky.

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3. Rapid Changes in Temperature or Not Recommended

A sudden increase in sunlight exposure can cause aloe vera leaves to turn yellow or red, just like an abrupt change in temperature.

Your aloe vera plants are outside but it is cold outside. If you don’t take proper care of your aloe vera plants, this will cause them to become damaged.

How can you fix it?

You should trim the damaged leaves and bring your aloe vera plants inside for further care.

If it is cold outside, bring your aloe vera plants inside. Or consider buying a mini-garden.

1. Monitor Outside Temperature

You should be aware of the weather conditions in your area and keep the aloe plant moving inside or out slowly.

It is better to give a shock to the plant than to keep it in transition.

2. Avoid keeping plants too close to windows during summer (Hot windows).

Aloe vera pots should be kept in the north-west window. It will heat up in summer and cause severe damage to plants.

If your Aloe vera plants want to face south or back, move them to the west or north-facing windows.

4. Bad Overwinter

This happens because we try to grow aloe vera plants in winter when it is dormant.

Experts don’t recommend you watering more.

How do you fix bad overwinter?

Expert suggests that we should leave the aloe vera plant alone in its dormancy, and reduce watering when it is not actively growing.

You won’t see any growth in this season, so save your money for the active growing season.

5. Salt or Fertilizer build up in plants

The top layer of soil can become brittle and stale if it is not removed regularly or with heavy fertilizer and salt use.

Certain minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, are essential for the plant’s life cycle. Chemical activity in the soil converts minerals in soil to chemical salts. These can be added to soil by fertilizer due to the soil’s microbial population.

You can see a reddish crust residue in the soil when you apply heavy fertilizer.

Salt buildup in red can cause root damage.

Low levels of chlorophyll aloe can cause plants to turn red from lack of nitrogen.

How can you fix it?

1. Remove the mineral crust – Removing minerals

First, you will need to remove any extra minerals from the plant using your fingernails or other materials.

You will need to leach soil later. To do this, you will need to run 5x the volume of the pot through the soil.

2. Extra fertilizer can be removed – Remove excess minerals

You can now remove any excess minerals and crust from the pot. You will need to get rid of any excess fertilizer.

To remove any fertilizer or minerals, you need to water the pot five times its volume.

You don’t have to fertilize indoor plants very often. The amount of light they receive depends on how much fertilizer we apply.

High-light plants require fertilization three to four times a year. Plants with medium-light require only two times per year. Low-light plants only require once per year (with yearly repotting).

Aloe vera plants like to get 1-2 fertilization per year, most likely in the spring.

3. Pure water – Reducing the minerals in water

Mineral water is better than tap water because it contains many minerals, such as chlorine and other additives.

External water filters can be used to remove minerals from the water.

You don’t need mineral water? There is another economical option. Rainwater can be collected and poured into an aloe vera plant.

4. Do not over fertilize. Only once in spring

Aloe vera plants like to be fertilized 1-2 times per year, as we have discussed. Over-fertilizing can cause thin crusts on the plant and topmost soil.

6. Nutrients Deficiency

Aloe vera plants that don’t receive enough nutrients will become reddish. The Aloe vera plant has a low maintenance requirement and can thrive in any soil condition.

Low nutrients can still cause problems for plants. Aloe vera cannot produce chlorophyll due to a lack of nutrients. This is why magnesium and nitrogen are needed to process it.

How can you fix the nutrient deficiency in Aloe vera plants?

Use the proper fertilizer and soil. You will need to use cactus dirt or one portion of the pot mix, and builders sand for the other part of your aloe vera plants.

Experts recommend a liquid 10-40-10 fertilizer mix or a special fertilizer made for succulents.

7. Too many Nutrients

This is exactly the opposite of what you were expecting. Over-fertilizing Aloe vera plants can result in too many nutrients.

How can you fix the Aloe vera plant’s excessive nutrients?

Remove excessive nutrients

You may notice aloe vera turning red if you have fertilized too often. To flush excess nutrients, you need to use 5x the amount of water.

Don’t Over Fertilize

Avoid fertilizing too often. Fertilize only once a year and only in spring to avoid excess fertilization. The red layer with thin crust on the top of the plant will indicate if it is being over-fertilized.

To get rid of this problem, scrape the red layer off the pot and water it to flush out the fertilizer.

8. Mixing dirt and soil in the wrong way

If you have tried all of the above but still cannot find the solution for your plant, then the problem is in the soil mixture.

Aloe vera is succulents. They don’t like potting soil.

How can you fix it?

You will get better results if you water the plant for at least 2 days before you pot it.

You will need to choose the right cactus soil when potting aloe. You will need to mix one part of the soil mixture with the other builder soil if you make your own soil mix.

To make the soil look more attractive (aesthetics), you can add marble stones to it.

9. Bugs

Aloe vera plants are a favorite food for small bugs. This could be one reason for the reddish patches on the Aloe vera plant.

1. Mealy bugs

Meatybugs, which are young female bugs, pierce plant tissue and suck out the sapling, causing reduced growth, color change or distortion of the plant tissue.

The colonies of Mealybugs look like tiny fuzz as the females build their nests.

How To Control Mealybugs: You can control them by spraying plants with water, and then rubbing the colonies of mealy bugs with a soft cloth.

2. Scales

Scales are tiny insects that can pierce plants and feed on fluids. This type of pest can be overcome by combining a tablespoon of insecticidal detergent and 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol in 1 quart water. Spray the plant.

3. Mites

Some mites are attracted to aloe plants, but they can only be seen through a microscope. To stop this bug from spreading to other plants, you must remove all affected leaves.

10. Mold

It is possible to get mold if the white stuff appears soft or moist. This is a plant that grows in moist soil.

It is important to not allow the soil to dry between waterings, or to water too frequently.

How do you care for the Aloe vera plant mold?

1. Take out the mold.

Use a spoon to remove the mold from the soil’s top layer. This will remove any mold that may be present in the soil.

2. Between waterings, allow the soil to dry.

Aloe vera plants prefer a dry climate. If you add more water to aloe vera plants or water molds more frequently, they can become more tolerant of drought. Here’s how to fix it.

Increase the light by moving your plant from a shaded area to one with more light. This will allow the plant to absorb water.

Increase air movement: If you can, set up a fan that blows gently on the soil.

Before watering, test soil moisture: You need to test soil moisture. Simply, you can touch the soil with your fingers. If the soil sticks to your fingers, you can pour water.

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FAQ:

Is it possible to use aloe vera if it turns red?

Although aloe gel has mild anti-bacterial properties, it also decays eventually. If the pinkish color is only on the skin, and the plant has been grown outside in full sunlight, the leaves will naturally turn pinkish-red. It’s bad if it turns red when we remove it from the plant.

Why does Aloe Vera turn brown?

The most common reasons why Aloe vera plants turn brown are excessive watering, low irrigation, sun exposure, improper drainage, and overexposure to the sun. These sudden temperature changes (sunburn), too many minerals (over fertilizer), poor soil mix, bugs and mold can also cause color changes.

What causes an Aloe Vera plant to turn brown?

The most common reasons why Aloe vera plants turn brown are excessive watering, low irrigation, sun exposure, improper drainage, and overexposure to the sun. These sudden temperature changes (sunburn), too many minerals (over fertilizer), poor soil mix, bugs and mold can also cause color changes.

Last Thoughts

I moved my aloe plant indoors and took good care. It’s now doing well. It was a great article. Let me know in the comments how you helped your aloe vera plants stop turning red. Enjoy reading!