6 Reasons Your Aloe Plant Is Turning Brown—and How to Fix It

Aloe vera is a tropical succulent plant that is very tolerant of extreme temperatures and little watering. Its low-maintenance qualities make it a favorite among houseplant lovers. Plus, its leaves contain water and vitamins that can be harvested and used for medicinal purposes.

Despite how easy aloe is to care for, the plant is susceptible to brown spots, a symptom that may mean its care needs aren't being met. This includes over- or under-watering, excessive sunlight, wrong temperatures, or houseplant pests and diseases. To help you prevent and treat this common issue, we spoke to a botany expert who explained all the reasons why your aloe might be turning brown and plenty of ways you can fix it.

Overwatering

Too much water is one of the most common reasons why an aloe plant turns brown. Because aloe is a succulent plant from the desert, it prefers less water and actually stores moisture inside its leaves. “Overwatering can result in root rot, which can be identified by brown, wilting, and soft leaves,” says Julia Omelchenko, a resident botany expert at Plantum. To fix this, stop watering your aloe plant and allow it to dry out completely.

To save a plant that is already suffering from overwatering, remove all rotten and damaged leaves. After pruning the plant, remove it from its container, cut off the rotten roots, and repot it in a container with drainage holes. Stop the problem from returning by only watering when the soil is completely dry.

Underwatering

At the same time, you don’t want to starve your plant of water. Though a hardy desert plant, it still needs a drink every now and then. You’ll know when your aloe is underwatered by checking its leaves. “Its foliage will start wrinkling, curling, drying, and browning in response to a lack of moisture,” says Omelchenko.

If you notice these symptoms, make sure to increase the amount of water you give your aloe by allowing the soil to become fully saturated with water. Then allow the soil to totally dry out before watering again. “You can also remove the dry and brown leaves to enhance the plant’s appearance.”

Too Much Sunlight

Aloe loves the sun, but giving it too much can burn its leaves. Avoid placing this plant in a south-facing window, which gets the brightest light from the sun. Instead, keep it in an area where it will receive indirect light, such as in a west-facing window. “Excessive sunlight can cause aloe leaves to turn brown-red,” says Omelchenko. “If you don’t adjust the lighting, the foliage can curl and dry with time.”

Cold Damage

Aloe vera will get brown leaves if it has been in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. Long cold spells will negatively impact your plant, adding soft, watery, brown-black spots to the leaves.

But an aloe vera plant can turn green again even after being kept in too cold conditions. “If your plant is overcooled, move it to a warm place with bright, filtered light and carefully cut off the affected parts,” says Omelchenko. Then, stop watering the succulent for a few days, giving it time to bounce back as it adjusts to the warmer temperatures.

Pests

Brown spots on aloe can indicate a pest presence. Pests might even look like small brown spots. Pests should be wiped away gently with a soft sponge or cotton pad so as not to hurt the plant, says Omelchenko. “Be careful not to remove the wax coating from the leaves. Then treat aloe with a suitable insecticide," she says.

Disease

Plant diseases can also turn the aloe's leaves brown. “If your aloe is infected with a fungal disease, cut off the affected parts with a clean, sharp knife or blade. Then treat the succulent with a fungicide,” says Omelchenko. Be sure to check the instructions on the fungicide’s packaging and disinfect your tools before and after use to stop the spread to other houseplants.