Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the leaves to see if they are soft or firm.
- Check if the soil has pulled away from the edges of the pot.
- Verify the temperature of the room where the plant sits.
Likely causes
Severe Dehydration
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves look thin, shriveled, and start to curl inward or downward. This happens when the plant has gone too long without water.
What to do: Give the plant a deep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes. Wait 14 to 21 days before watering again, ensuring the soil is fully dry first.
Heat Stress
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves curl to protect themselves from intense, prolonged heat or direct sun exposure. The plant may also take on a reddish or brownish tint.
What to do: Move the plant to a slightly cooler location with bright, indirect light. Allow it to recover for a few days before adjusting its position again.
Find out what's wrong with your aloe vera
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
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When to worry
Worry if the leaves stay curled even after a thorough watering. Slight curling on the very oldest, bottom leaves is normal as they eventually die off.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule and avoid placing the plant near heat vents or drafty windows.
Aloe vera: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your aloe vera 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
- Should I mist my Aloe to help with curling?
- No, misting does not help and can lead to rot. Aloe vera prefers dry air and dry leaves.
- Will the curled leaves straighten out?
- They might plump up slightly after watering, but they often retain some shape. Focus on the health of the new, center growth.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Aloe vera
- Why is my Aloe vera plant getting mushy at the base?
- What are these white fuzzy spots on my Aloe vera?
- Why are my aloe vera leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my aloe vera drooping?
- Why is my aloe vera growing tall and leggy?
- Why are the tips of my Aloe vera leaves turning brown?
- Why does my Aloe vera have spots on its leaves?
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.