Generally, the Aloe vera plant leaves are green in color. If your aloe leaves are turning white this means something is wrong with the plant or with your care methods.
Aloe vera grows well in the indoor growing environment. It only changes its leaves color when it is stressed or it is not getting proper care
Or
Some important care step is missing.
In this post, we will find out why your aloe vera plant has white leaves. So, I urge you to read the entire article and learn how you can fix the issues without spending money.
How to fix White Aloe Vera Leaves?
It is not a big problem you can easily fix it. All you need to do is read the below guide and identify your cause then fix it.
Everything is mentioned in simple words.
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Poor Light
Succulent plants like aloe vera need bright light to grow healthy. They use the light to produce chlorophyll, it gives aloe green color.
In the absence of sufficient light, aloe becomes unable to produce enough amount of chlorophyll. Due to this deficiency leaves turn white.
Low light also invites another problem called stretchy growth. In this condition, aloe leaves stretch themselves toward the light source.
They do so to full fill their light needs.
The simple solution to this problem is moving your aloe vera plant to a bright location. A sunny window will be the best choice.
Sun exposure is necessary for the aloe plant. It needs sun exposure for a minimum of 6 hours per day.
In the summer season, you need to protect your aloe plant from direct sunlight. Because the sun in the afternoon emits very strong light rays.
These light rays can damage its leaves. To avoid this problem, arrange some shade in the summer season.
If you are growing it indoors then you need to arrange sunlight or you can use LED grow lights. these are the man-made artificial grow lights.
They are designed to grow plants in the absence of sunlight. 300 watts grow light is enough to grow a good size aloe vera plant.
Excessive Watering
Aloe needs less water in all seasons, but when growers give excessive water. The soil becomes waterlogged and this damages the plant roots.
Aloe shows multiple symptoms to tell about the root health like yellow leaves, mushy potting soil, and white leaves.
To avoid overwatering allow the potting soil to dry completely before the watering session. This will prevent overwatering issues.
But excessive watering can also trigger many problems like root rot.
This deadly disease can eat up the entire plant and to treat it you need a good knowledge of fungicides.
Secondly, the holes in the plant pot can also help you to save your plant in case of overwatering. There are made by the pot manufacturer.
Their main aim is to then allow the extra water to drain out of the pot.
The last thing that you can do is use the best potting soil. For aloe always choose soil that is specially designed for the succulents.
Succulent soil has well-draining qualities. This means it allows the extra water to go out of the pot in a few minutes.
Moreover, you need to use an unglazed clay pot or terracotta pot. Their porous nature aloe air to evaporate extra water.
This action of pots also helps to save aloe from accidental overwatering.
Sudden Change in temperature
The best temperature range for aloe plants is 50 to85 degrees F. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees F.
The aloe plant starts suffering from this change. The internal soft tissues of leaves start freezing and breaking.
In too cold weather the leaves will turn red or pink. This is due to the soreness of the tissues.
The solution is immediately bringing the aloe plant inside when the outside temperature drops below the recommended range.
If some leaves get damaged due to cold then cut them the right way. Because they will not heal and can invite many diseases.
Fertilizing
Nutrient deficiency and overuse of fertilizers both conditions turn the aloe vera white or pale.
In the absence of an important and sufficient amount of nutrients. The aloe becomes unable to do perfect photosynthesis.
This reduces the production of chlorophyll. Due to a lack of chlorophyll, aloe vera turns into pale or white color.
Whereas over-fertilization blocks the normal functioning of aloe roots. The salt build-up in the root zone affects the roots.
The roots become unable to absorb water and nutrients from the soil due to this salt build-up. Again, the situation is nutrient deficient.
This results in a loss of natural leaf color.
Aloe vera needs a limited number of fertilizers the main substance that they need is nitrogen. You can supply healthy nitrogen by mixing the limited amount of compost in potting soil.
If you are a fan of fertilizers then choose organic liquid fertilizer that is made for succulents. There are many nutritional supplements that are specially designed for aloe vera.
Winter care
Aloe needs very little care in winter because it is the dormancy period. Plants do not grow in this season. But when growers keep supplying fertilizers and water to the plants.
This results in the aloe vera plant turning white or pale.
So, cut the water supply and stop using nutrient supplements in the winter season.
Always check the soil moisture and then water your aloe vera. Do not place it near the heating vents to give warmth to your aloe.
This is the biggest mistake that new growers made often. The artificial heat makes the plant dry in winter you need to give it more water.
It again becomes dry in a short time. this process weakens the plant and as a result, the leaves start losing their natural color due to the loss of stored water and excessive heat in the environment.
Pest attack
Mealybugs and aphids are some common houseplant pests. They attack almost every type of houseplant. You need to inspect your plant to conform pest attacks.
These pests like the sap of the plant. When they suck it, they leave tiny holes or pimple-like things behind.
You can find their colonies under the leaves or near the main stem.
They make your plant nutrient deficient and you know this results in the aloe vera plant turning white.
Use neem oil spray 3 times in 30 days to prevent pest attacks. On already infected plants use pesticide soap to rinse leaves.
Or
You can use rubbing alcohol and cotton cloth and wipe each leaf manually. This will kill the pests in seconds.
Conclusion
Aloe vera leaves turning white can be easily fixed with little effort. It is not a big problem just make some changes in your care routine.
Give proper light and water to your plant and it will stay green and lush.
For more info on the aloe vera plant visit us again.
