Aloe plant is drying out, soil won't absorb water - Ask Extension
Hello,
My aloe plant was doing fine for several months but suddenly stopped drinking the water. The soil is so dry. How can i help the plant?
Knowledgebase
Aloe plant is drying out, soil won't absorb water #832157
Asked May 26, 2023, 10:38 AM EDT
Hello,
My aloe plant was doing fine for several months but suddenly stopped drinking the water. The soil is so dry. How can i help the plant?
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Jacqueline,
I'm not clear about your question. If you water the plant I don't understand how the soil can be dry. How do you know the plant is not absorbing water? The photo you sent of your plant appears healthy.
In general, aloe plants are easy to grow so there isn't much information on them. I'm sending you links to a couple of articles about caring for aloe. Copy and paste the links in your browser to open them or click on them when they highlight.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aloe-vera/
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/01/what-should-i-know-about-growing-aloe-home
https://extension.sdstate.edu/garden-yard/flowers-ornamental/aloe
Basically, aloe needs very bright indirect light; should be planted in cactus soil because it is a succulent; should be allowed to completely dry out before watering - every 2-3 weeks; the pot needs at least one drainage hole; do not let the plant sit in standing water; check that the roots have not outgrown the pot; and aloe should be watered very little in the winter months.
Please feel free to send me more information about your plant if you do not find a solution to your problem in my response.
Thank you for contacting the UVM Extension Master Gardener Helpline.
I'm not clear about your question. If you water the plant I don't understand how the soil can be dry. How do you know the plant is not absorbing water? The photo you sent of your plant appears healthy.
In general, aloe plants are easy to grow so there isn't much information on them. I'm sending you links to a couple of articles about caring for aloe. Copy and paste the links in your browser to open them or click on them when they highlight.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aloe-vera/
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/01/what-should-i-know-about-growing-aloe-home
https://extension.sdstate.edu/garden-yard/flowers-ornamental/aloe
Basically, aloe needs very bright indirect light; should be planted in cactus soil because it is a succulent; should be allowed to completely dry out before watering - every 2-3 weeks; the pot needs at least one drainage hole; do not let the plant sit in standing water; check that the roots have not outgrown the pot; and aloe should be watered very little in the winter months.
Please feel free to send me more information about your plant if you do not find a solution to your problem in my response.
Thank you for contacting the UVM Extension Master Gardener Helpline.
