The leaves of aloe vera often turn brown in the blazing sun. It is harmless and protects against sunburn. Brown spots on the leaves, on the other hand, indicate a lack of nutrients, a fungal disease or care errors.
Brown spots on aloe vera can indicate a nutrient deficiency
To keep your aloe vera looking healthy, the following care instructions should be observed:
- the location should be bright,
- the best substrate is earth and sand in a ratio of 50:50,
- Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs.
If whole leaves turn brown in intense sunlight, this is a natural phenomenon that does not harm the plants. The brown spots, on the other hand, can be a sign of fungal infestation. Look closely at the brown spots. Is the discoloration superficial or is the leaf tissue soft underneath? Are only individual leaves or the whole plant affected? The most common cause is actually excessive watering.
Too much water damages aloe vera
It is important that the soil is well drained, as the aloe does not tolerate waterlogging. Half of the indoor plant soil should therefore be mixed with sand. A drainage layer of potsherds and gravel on the bottom of the pot ensures that excess water can drain away.
Aloe vera is used to surviving for long periods without watering. The aloes that are outside in the summer can be watered vigorously about twice a week and the excess water then removed. In winter it should only be watered when the substrate has dried completely.
nutrient deficiency
Brown spots that are not soft can also indicate nutrient deficiencies. If you repot your aloe regularly and use fresh soil, you can do without fertilizing. Otherwise, you should fertilize sparingly with universal or special fertilizers for succulents in summer.
remedy
To avoid fungal growth, you should never pour your aloe on the leaves, but always directly on the substrate. Individual sheets can be easily removed. If the whole plant is infested, repotting it in fresh, dry soil can help, but don't water it for the first few weeks afterwards.
tips
If you want to grow new aloe plants from cuttings, let them dry for several days after cutting them off.