Why is My Aloe Vera Turning Red?

When we think of gardening we always keep Aloes on the gardening list because this succulent plant is not only famous for its exquisite looks but also for its unique medical purposes. For thousands of years, Aloe Vera has been used for its multitude of purposes including skin care, digestion, and purifying our beloved home. Most people use Aloe Vera as their main beauty herbal product.

But one morning you wake up, and while lurking around your garden you noticed that your beautiful Aloes have turned red. Now you are probably confused about it. Not only this but there are also lots of questions raised in our minds about the health of our beautiful Aloes. Today we are going to discuss all about this mysterious species. So don’t go anywhere unless you want to miss some crucial information regarding your most-liked plant.

Why is my Aloe Vera turning red? Too much exposure to the sunlight, watering much often, some pest diseases and there are many reasons that could be responsible for Aloe Vera’s colorization. When you don’t look after your Aloe Vera as you’re supposed to do, your Aloe loses its actual beauty. Maintaining Aloe Vera’s gorgeous look is not a difficult thing at all, you only need to be attentive and follow them accurately. Let’s jump into the main reasons.

Key Takeaways

Reasons Why Aloe Vera Plant Turns Red and Solution

Aloe Vera turning red is not always a good sign. It’s trying to tell you that it’s having some difficulty that you need to fix. Here, We’ve picked up some reasons and solutions which can free you from your worries.

Direct Sunlight

Too much exposure to the sunlight might turn its leaves red.  Plant owners often get confused regarding where they should place their Aloe Vera plant because direct sunlight is not good for this species. Aloe plants need natural and bright sunlight for around 6-8 hours every day but direct midday sunlight is not beneficial at all.

If your Aloe is beside a window where it is having full sunlight, then you should move it behind a curtain. Try to place it in a place where it could have partial sunlight. Aloe feels comfortable in full, indirect sunlight. Too much exposure to daylight often makes it dry, as a results its leaves turn into a different color. Aloe Vera plant reacts to strong light by changing its color from red to deep bronze as a shield against excess sun exposure. If a strong increase of light is given to this plant, then the plant tissues can be damaged.

Here are some tips that you can go to protect your Aloe Vera plant from direct sunlight.

• Ensure Aloe is lightly shaded to protect it during the hottest times of the day.
• If your Aloe Vera plant is in the garden, then fix transparent shading nets or clothes to filter the light.
• Bring your plant a few feet back from the windows during the summer, especially when the sunlight gets very intense.
• You can shift them to the north or east-facing window because it receives milder sunlight compared to the west or south-facing windows.

Insufficient light

Just as too much sunlight can harm your Aloe Vera plant, not enough sunlight can also cause discoloration and damage Aloe Vera always needs bright, natural light to grow and thrive. Remember it isn’t a low-light houseplant. Lack of insufficient light can turn its color to red also the leaves may crease or bend at the base or in the middle.  Aloes that are not getting enough sunlight will turn red and the leaves will drop.

Try not to forget that, Aloes contain lots of water in them. Aloe Vera that is developed under low light will stay wet, the reason is because of the excess water content that it already has. Their stems get mushy and fragile because they are not strong enough to support the top of the plant.

Tips

• Make sure it’s getting at least 6 hours of sunlight a day not more than that, especially direct sunlight.
• Chose East or west-facing windows, because the intensity isn’t as strong as it would be in a southern exposure.
• To avoid discoloration and damage, place your Aloe Vera plant in the perfect place.

Improper Watering

We care about our beautiful plant and we water it frequently, isn’t it? But the fact is watering Aloe Vera many often can kill it. Overwatering make the leaves turn red. Aloe Vera is a dessert plant and is made of 90% water. So why do you need to water this dessert plant frequently. Overwatering occurs when you water the plant, but the plant does not need it.

Excessive watering can be a real danger to Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera plants can easily recover from too much sun exposure, but not from too much watering. Many people water the plant more than ten times a week, which will do no good. Why do we forget that it’s a succulent plant and contains water?

Here are some things that you can do to help your Aloe Vera plant sufficiently watered.

• Be careful about watering. Water the plant only when the pot is three-quarters dry.
• Water two to four times a week during the growing season.
• Avoid watering if Aloe leaves seem tight and plump.
• Lastly, don’t skip watering as this can be one of the main reasons why Aloe Vera turns red.

✨ You May like: Why Are My Marigold Seeds Not Germinating?

Heavy Soil

How about if someone asks us to live in Alaska or in an inhabitant desert? Can we live? Of course, we can’t because we cannot cope with the atmosphere. Aloe plant needs light, pH neutral, or slightly alkaline soil that drains very well because Aloe Vera’s roots absorb almost every drop of water. If you plant Aloe in low pH soil, then surviving will be hard for this beautiful plant.

When you keep it in unsuitable soil, then it cannot dry its root safely. The heavy, moisture-retaining mix makes it difficult to keep the roots dry. Many times waterlogged soil is deadly for the Aloe Vera plant.

Here are some tips to check before planting Aloes

• Check the right pH level of your soil otherwise Aloes won’t grow perfectly.
• Choose alkaline soil that drains well, because poor soil condition hampers Aloe Vera’s growth.
• Avoid waterlogged soil as it is not suitable for this succulent plant.

Improper Fertilizing Habits

In the desert, you will find Aloe in a better and glowing situation. So, that means they don’t need any supplement fertilizer. Heavy application of fertilizer can be an overdose for this succulent plant. Sometimes an Aloe plant turning red or brown can be due to shock from overfeeding, which cause discoloration of their leaves also crisping of the tips.

Excessive fertilizing can turn the leaves red. Trying supplemental fertilizer to your water or to the soil can cause tissue damage. However, organic fertilizer is better than synthetic blends, but even organics should be applied lightly.

Here are some tips that can help you to fertilize properly.

• Apply organic fertilizers, because they are gentler than synthetic blends.
• Fertilize your Aloe Vera during the growing months, summer and spring.
• Try not to fertilize when the temperature is above 80-90°F in summer. In these times excessive fertilizing can burn its roots.
• Never try to fertilize during winter. Because they will not be able to use nutrients, as they develop slowly.

Temperature Stress

This same goes for heavy soil, stay in a place where you find yourself comfortable or at least you can survive well. We all know that Aloe Vera is a desert plant. It enjoys warm temperatures ranging between 55 to 75°F. Aloes cannot survive below 50°F. It gives them to freeze and frost damage. Many times low temperatures can make the Aloe Vera leaves turn red.

When the plant turns red due to cold signals and that times the plant requires warmth. You ignore its indications and the plant will suffer frost damage or freeze damage.

Here are some tips so that you can keep your aloe vera at optimal temperature:

• Bring your plant inside. If they are outside, the leaves will turn red during the second half of cool autumn.
• When your atmosphere is above 50°F, and you want to grow Aloe Vera outdoors then grow them in containers inside when the weather turns cold.
• If your plant is near a window during cold seasons, then they are receiving the outside cold. Immediately shift them to a warm room.
• Stop watering frequently. Always check the moisture level and only provide them water if the top 2-3 inches are seen dry.

Pest and Diseases

Aloe Vera plant is susceptible to various pests and diseases. Most times bugs like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scales make the Aloe Vera turn red. Many times some insects leave behind a few red tints, that why you can witness red spots on the leaves. Though they cannot be seen by the naked eye, the damage signs are enough to declare the infestation.

Powdery Mildew, Sooty Mold, Aloe Rust, and Root rot are primary diseases caused by these pests. When you leave your Aloe isolated for weeks then these diseases appear. Although these diseases could be clarified with proper caring and instructions.

Here are some ways that you can deal with the bugs and prevent your Aloe Vera plant from damage.

• You may use insecticidal soaps like castile soaps or safer ones.
• Try dabbing a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol over an infected area. It would probably destroy all the bugs, including the hard-shelled ones.
• Use neem oil on the infected area, especially if it’s under the leaves.
• Many pests feel safe in wet conditions. So stop watering frequently and let the soil dry out. There can be several reasons why Aloe Vera turns red. We’ll try to discuss all of them.

Aloe Plants That Are Naturally Red

Don’t get confused with some Aloes because they are naturally red in color. There are some varieties of Aloe Vera which have red leaves naturally. Aloe Cameronii is one of them, and they are found in Zimbabwe and Malawi. The fleshy, gracefully curving leaves are a rainbow of colors ranging from green to a rich coppery red, relying on water and sun. They remain completely red during the summer under sufficient sunlight, and in winter these Aloes will turn green with red edges. Aloe Cameronii’s vivid looks give it extra priority to most people. If you have any blank places in your garden, then you might get one.

Aloe Cameronii’s color varies depending on the lighting and seasons. In winter, the leaves of Aloe Cameronii will be largely green, with red edges, but in summer it changes to totally red. This one normally prefers more intense sunlight than other Aloe species, so if you want to see its charismatic red looks then give this plenty of direct sunlight.

Growing Aloe Vera Plant: Indoor and outdoor

There are more than 500 species of Aloes. Most of us would like to grow our favorite Aloes indoors because of space or some other reason while some of us like to grow Aloes outdoors. Whatever the reason is, Growing Aloe Vere indoors or outdoors is not a big deal if you get proper knowledge and instructions about this succulent plant. Just go for the proper method and get your beautiful houseplant.

Grow Aloes Indoors

A bright windowsill or shelf is the ideal spot for an Aloe Vera. Plant Aloe in a terracotta pot with well-drained dirt then Mix equal parts sand and potting soil. Place your Aloe in a bright, sunny place so that it can grow in a good environment.  Water it heavily about once or far twice every two weeks, waiting until the soil dries out fully. It will go dormant and stop growing unless it gets proper sunlight. Since it is a desert species, keeping the dirt moist will cause the roots to rot.

Get the perfect soil for making it grow fast and healthy. Collect soil that matches its pH level otherwise because of infertile soil your efforts will be fruitless.

Grow Aloes Outdoors

If you live in a warm climate area, then you can nurture your Aloe outside. Look for a well-drained place. So that you don’t need to water your Aloe with the exception of droughts. Choose an area of your yard or garden that receives between six and seven hours of full sun. If you live near the coast or at sea level, it is good to give the Aloe six hours. Too much direct sunlight burns the leaves, turning them a different color. When the sun is at its most intense, have a shade cloth and put it over the plant during the middle of the day. This can help keep the leaves from getting sunburned.

Look for a sandy, gravelly, or even rocky place for growing Aloes. If you want to give your Aloe a home in a boggy area in soil that will not drain, then this can prevent rotting roots.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Among the other plants, Aloe Vera makes our garden more exquisite and purifies our hearts and mind. Taking care of this succulent plant is our priority. Negligence towards it can change its colorization and also worsen its life period. Turning an Aloe Vera red is not a panic thing at all. All you need is some proper care and follow some instructions like watering them perfectly, avoiding too much sunlight, finding the best alkaline soil, and also beware of pests and diseases. With these effective directions, you can get back its vivid looks again.

✨ Next Attraction: Can You Bury Pepper Stems?