However, wilting leaves or dark watery leaves can also be a sign of root rot. [2] X Research source When did you last water the plant? If you watered it recently, remove the plant from the pot and check for root rot.
If you keep your plant outside, watering every two weeks should be sufficient. If you keep your plant inside, water it every three to four weeks.
Loosely hold the base of the plant and the bottom of your pot. Tip the pot upside down, and continue holding the plant with your other hand. Hit the bottom of the pot with your hand or knock it against a table ledge (or other hard surface). Depending on the size of your plant, you may need another person to help you. One person should hold the plant base with both hands, while the other person tips the pot upside down and hits the bottom. Jostle the pot back and forth until the plant comes loose. If you still have trouble removing your plant with two sets of hands, run a trowel or knife around the interior of the pot and try releasing it again, or push some of the soil out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If your plant still does not come out of the pot, you may need to break your pot. While releasing the Aloe vera plant from its pot, hold (don’t pull) the plant gently. Hitting the bottom of the pot will keep your roots intact, and gravity will push the plant downward.
If you see a lot of healthy roots and only a section of dead or mushy roots, you can likely save your plant without too much trouble. If you notice that the majority of your plant has damaged roots, it will take a little more effort to save the plant, and it may be beyond saving. In this case, you can try to save the plant by removing the largest leaves (with a knife). Cut away about half of the plant. This method is risky. However, with fewer leaves to nourish, the small amount of undamaged roots can better direct nutrients throughout the plant. [9] X Research source
The roots of Aloe vera plants grow horizontally, rather than vertically. [11] X Research source Aloe vera plants can also become quite heavy, and the weight of the plant can cause a narrow pot to tip over. Thus, select a wide pot, rather than a deep or narrow pot. [12] X Research source The pot you choose should also have plenty of drainage holes on the bottom so that excess water does not sit in the soil. [13] X Research source A plastic pot is best if you live in a dryer climate, while a pot made from terracotta or clay is best for cooler or humid areas. [14] X Research source
You can also create your own soil mix for your Aloe vera plant by mixing equal parts of sand, gravel or perlite, and soil. [16] X Research source Be sure to use a coarse sand (like builder’s sand), rather than a fine sand. Fine sand can clump and hold water, rather than allowing it to drain down and through the pot. [17] X Research source Although you can use potting soil for Aloe vera plants, they will thrive better in a mixed soil. Potting soil is more likely to hold moisture and could therefore cause root rot.
You can also layer small rocks or gravel on the top of the soil, which helps reduce the evaporation of water.
If your plant is typically in a position to receive artificial light rather than sunlight, reposition the plant so that there is a greater distance between it and the light source. You can also try moving it outside so that it is getting some indirect natural light, rather than artificial light.
