Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the leaves to see if they are plump or shriveled.
- Check the weight of the pot to see if the soil is completely dry.
- Examine the roots for signs of decay or dark discoloration.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look thin, shriveled, or curled inward. The plant feels very light when you lift the pot.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough soak until water runs out of the drainage holes. Resume your normal schedule of watering every 14 to 21 days once the soil is dry.
Root Rot
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves droop despite the soil being wet. The base of the plant may look dark or feel soft to the touch.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any black, mushy roots and repot in dry, fresh succulent soil.
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.
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When to worry
Drooping is serious if the leaves feel mushy, as this indicates the plant is dying from rot. If the leaves are just thin and shriveled, a good drink will usually perk them up within a few days.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering rhythm and ensure the plant receives at least six hours of bright light daily.
Aloe vera: drooping? 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
- Will my aloe stand back up after watering?
- If the drooping was caused by dehydration, the leaves should firm up and lift within a few days of watering. If they are mushy, they will not recover.
- Does my aloe need a bigger pot?
- Aloe plants prefer to be slightly root bound. Only repot if the roots are circling the bottom or if the soil has broken down.
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 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?
- Why are my Aloe vera leaves curling?
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.