Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Poke your finger two inches into the soil to check for dampness.
- Inspect the bottom of the pot to ensure water is draining out.
- Press gently on the base of the plant to see if it feels firm.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The base of the plant feels soft or mushy to the touch. You might also notice a foul smell coming from the soil.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely. If the base is very soft, remove the plant from the pot, trim away black or slimy roots, and repot in fresh, fast draining cactus soil.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil for a long time after watering. The pot lacks holes at the bottom.
What to do: Move your aloe into a pot with large drainage holes. Use a gritty soil mix that includes perlite or pumice to ensure water passes through quickly.
Find out what's wrong with your mountain aloe
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
If the entire base is soft and the leaves are falling off, the plant may be too far gone. It is normal for the very bottom leaves to shrivel slightly as the plant grows.
Stopping it coming back
Always wait until the soil is bone dry before watering again, which usually takes 14 to 30 days depending on the season.
Mountain Aloe: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mountain aloe and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- Yes, if you catch it early. Trim the dead roots and repot in dry, well draining soil.
- How often should I water my Mountain Aloe?
- Water every 14 to 30 days, but only if the soil is completely dry.
More problems with Mountain Aloe
- What are these strange growths on my Mountain Aloe?
- Why is my Mountain Aloe getting so tall and thin?
- Why are my Aloe marlothii leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Aloe marlothii leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Aloe marlothii drooping?
- Why does my Aloe marlothii have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my Aloe marlothii not flowering?
Back to the Mountain Aloe guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.