potted_plant
Aloe Vera care requirements
water
Every 2–4 weeks. Allow to dry completely.
soil
Cactus or succulent mix with excellent drainage.
light
Bright direct to indirect light.
symptoms
Symptoms to look for in Aloe Vera
Blackening and softening at the base of the rosette where it meets the soil, sometimes with the whole plant becoming loose or toppling over.
help
Common causes in Aloe Vera
Stem rot fungi thrive in consistently moist conditions, which is a particular risk for Aloe's water-storing tissue — watering more often than every 2–4 weeks or a heavy, slow-draining mix creates exactly the damp base conditions this fungus needs.
healing
How to treat stem rot in Aloe Vera
Remove affected tissue at the base with a sterilised blade back to healthy tissue, let the cut surface callus over for a day or two, and repot into fresh gritty succulent mix.
shield
Preventing stem rot in Aloe Vera
Water only every 2–4 weeks once soil is fully dry, and use a gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix.