Aloe vera is a beautiful succulent that many people use to decorate their homes. In addition to being an attractive plant, Aloe vera is highly medicinal. Aloe vera plants require little maintenance.
Due to its soothing effect, people use aloe juice on their skin to relieve pain. Many cosmetic products also contain aloe vera as one of their main ingredients.
Considering the numerous benefits of aloe vera, it’s no wonder a lot of people have them in their homes.
By nature, aloe vera grows well in areas with warm temperatures. However, when the weather is cold, these plants require special attention.
It’s not uncommon for gardeners to ask the same question during the cold months – Can aloe vera survive winter?
Without extra care and attention, aloe vera cannot survive winter. Being desert plants, aloe vera grows beautifully and healthily in direct sunlight.
Although the plants can tolerate temperatures below 40°Fahrenheit, their perfect temperature is between 55 and 80°Fahrenheit.
Whenever the temperatures drop below 50°Fahrenheit, take your aloe vera plants indoors to prevent them from wilting.
Too much exposure to cold causes the fluid in the aloe vera’s leaves to freeze. It can also damage the plants’ tissues if you don’t take them to a warm environment.
But how do you care for your aloe plant in winter? What are the signs of cold shock in aloe vera?
In this article, we will provide useful answers to these questions and others. Keep reading to learn more!
Can Aloe Vera Survive Winter?
Protecting your aloe vera from frost during winter can allow it to survive. That’s why it is important to take extra care of the plants.
Follow these 4 simple tips to care for your aloe plants in winter:
1. Use Frost Cloths
One simple way to keep your aloe plants warm during winter is by using frost cloths. These materials are specially designed to trap the heat from the soil to keep plants warm.
Frost clothes also allow light to penetrate the plants during the day. So if you’re not keeping your aloe plants indoors, you can leave the blankets on them during the day and at night.
But before covering the plants with these clothes, build a frame around them. This will prevent the frost clothes from touching the aloe vera leaves. Always remove the clothes when the temperatures become favorable for the plants.
Also, make sure that the frost cloths cover the entire plants to keep them completely safe.
2. Create A Watering Schedule
Aloe plants do not necessarily need too much water because they are desert plants. So, during winter, reduce the number of times you water the plants. Excess water can expose the aloe plants to root rot, leaf rot, and fungal stem rot.
Preferably, create a schedule for watering the plant every week. It is also important to use pots with drainage holes below them for the plants. Using pots without drainage holes will prevent water from passing out of the soil, which may cause root rot.
3. Prune The Aloe Leaves
Once you notice some parts of the aloe leaves have been affected by frost, prune them off. But make sure you don’t prune many parts of the leaves at a time.
Removing a large part of the aloe leaves can affect the plants’ overall growth. Prune dead leaves when the other parts of the plants are growing healthily.
Carefully cut off the dead leaves by using a knife or other pruning tools.
4. Place The Aloe Vera In A Warm Location
Another effective way to care for your aloe plants in the winter is to keep them in warm environments. Keep potted plants indoors, where they can get enough heat and light at the same time. Don’t keep the plants in a room where you constantly switch on your air conditioner or fans.
Use a shade to cover the aloe plants outdoors to keep them warm during the cold months.
What Are The Signs Of Cold Shock In Aloe Vera?
There are always noticeable signs that aloe vera plants are experiencing a cold shock. If you always pay close attention to the plants, it will be easy to notice when something goes wrong.
Check out these 3 signs of cold shock in aloe plants:
1. Discoloration Of Leaves
One of the clear signs of cold shock in aloe vera is that the leaves will begin to change color. Sometimes you may notice white, red, or yellow spots on the leaves.
When the plants are exposed to the cold, their cells will die, which then form different spots. Within a short time, the affected leaves will begin to fall off.
2. Dark Spots
Another sign you’ll notice in your aloe vera is the dark spots covering its leaves. This often happens as a result of a fungal infection. When the aloe plants receive less light and get excess water, fungi will likely attack them.
3. Drooping
Cold shock also causes the aloe vera leaves to sag and bend to a side. Constant exposure to extreme cold damages the leaf cells or tissues, which causes them to become flexible. If you notice your aloe vera plant’s leaves are beginning to droop, take them to a warmer place as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Depending on how you care for them, Aloe vera can survive in winter. Whether you place your aloe plants indoors or outdoors, make sure they get enough light.
Don’t overwater the plants to prevent them from having root rot. Also, during the cold months, keep the plants indoors or cover them with frost cloths.
Pay close attention to your aloe plants so that you will notice when they are experiencing a cold shock.
Finally, it is best and safest to take care of your aloe vera plants early before the winter months approach.
Final Thoughts
Depending on how you care for them, Aloe vera can survive in winter. Whether you place your aloe plants indoors or outdoors, make sure they get enough light.
Don’t overwater the plants to prevent them from having root rot. Also, during the cold months, keep the plants indoors or cover them with frost cloths.
Pay close attention to your aloe plants so that you will notice when they are experiencing a cold shock.
Finally, it is best and safest to take care of your aloe vera plants early before the winter months approach.
Lear more about Aloe plant: What Does An Overwatered Aloe Plant Look Like
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Aloe Vera Be Left Outside In Winter?
Even though you can leave aloe vera outside in winter, it is not safe to do so. Understand that the plants are not cold-hardy and may not survive in temperatures below 40°Fahrenheit.
Understandably, it might be difficult to take the aloe vera you planted in the garden indoors. Nevertheless, you can avoid cold damage by covering the plants with a frost cloth for warmth.
Will Aloe Vera Come Back After Freeze?
Yes, aloe vera can come back after freezing if only a few of its leaves were affected. But if you expose aloe vera plants to temperatures below 50°Fahrenheit for long periods, they may not recover. Most times, too much cold exposes the succulent to the risk of hard freeze and frost damage.
While some species of aloe plants will recover from frost damage, others may fall off within a short period.
Can Aloe Vera Grow Indoors?
Yes, aloe vera plants can grow indoors if they can get enough light and warmth. It is best to grow your aloe vera indoors if you live in an environment with a cold climate.
Place the plants close to the window where they can receive direct sunlight. Also, consider using artificial lights for succulents if they don’t get enough sunlight.
During the summer, you can always take the plants outside so that they can benefit from the sun.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
