Aloe vera with brown tips: diagnosis and care to recover the plant

Brief diagnosis Your Aloe vera shows mild stress: leaves with brown or dry tips and zones, green tissue persists but appears somewhat dull, and there are no obvious signs of rot or pests. This suggests localized dehydration and sun/heat scorch rather than a fungal disease.

Likely causes

• Irregular watering: long dry periods followed by shallow waterings that don’t moisten the root ball well cause roots to fail to absorb moisture consistently.
• Exposure to direct sun or intense heat: strong radiation at peak hours can burn leaf tips and edges.
• Compact or poorly draining substrate: limits accessible water retention and root aeration.
• Low ambient humidity and high temperatures: increase transpiration and favor foliar desiccation.

What to do now: immediate action plan (first 1–2 days)

1. Check the substrate: see if it’s very compacted or waterlogged. If it’s dry deep down, perform a thorough watering; if it’s waterlogged, reduce watering and improve drainage going forward.
2. Correct watering: water deeply only when the top 2–3 cm of substrate are dry. Allow excess to drain; never leave the root ball permanently in water.
3. Move the plant to suitable light: place in bright, indirect light. If outdoors, provide partial shade during the most intense hours (midday). Avoid strong direct sun until recovery.

Substrate and location improvements (if appropriate)

• Substrate: if you feel compaction, replace with a porous, loose mix (coir or light peat + perlite or coarse sand). Do this carefully: avoid aggressive repotting if the plant is stable.
• Drainage: ensure the pot has holes and the substrate does not retain excess water.
• Temperature and humidity: avoid hot drafts. Keep between 15–30 °C. If the air is very dry, slightly increase local humidity by placing a container with pebbles and water nearby (without wetting the leaves).

Care for damaged leaves

• Minimal pruning: trim only fully dry tips with clean scissors if they affect appearance; leave any healthy tissue.
• Do not apply fungicides or perform radical pruning: there are no signs of rot, so aggressive treatments are unnecessary and may further stress the plant.

Observation checklist (7–14 days)

1. Is leaf turgor improving? (leaves should regain firmness).
2. Are new dry areas decreasing? (new burns should not appear).
3. Is the green color regaining luster? (indicator of well-being).
4. Are no soft spots or bad odors appearing? (signs of rot).
5. Does the substrate drain properly after watering?

Extra tips and prevention

• Watering: less frequent, deep watering is better than continuous shallow waterings.
• Light control: acclimate gradually to sun if you need to move the plant outdoors; avoid abrupt changes.
• Check periodically for pests or substrate changes to act in time.

When to consult again If after 2 weeks there is no improvement in turgor or soft spots, bad odors, or rapid deterioration appear, check roots and consider consulting an expert to assess diseases or root problems. With proper watering and location most Aloes recover well within a few weeks.