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🥀 Overwatered vs Underwatered Aloe Plant: Key Signs

🌴 Identifying Aloe Plant Watering

Signs 🤘 of an 🌺 overhydrated succulent are easily recognizable. The leaves of an overhydrated succulent will become soft and mushy, and may even turn faded or brown.

The substrate will be persistently wet, and may even develop mold.

In severe cases, the leaves may become blistered, and the roots may turn brown and mushy, indicating root decay.

Conversely, signs of a dehydrated succulent are a bit more subtle. The leaves will begin to turn yellow and may become crispy or dry. The substrate will be dry to the touch, and may even pull away from the edges of the container. Assessing the substrate moisture levels and the condition of the leaves can help determine if your succulent is being over or underhydrated.

Signs of OverhydrationSigns of Underhydration
Leaves will be plump and mushyLeaves will turn yellow and may become crispy or dry
Substrate will be wet or soggySubstrate will be dry to the touch and may pull away from the edges of the container

If you find that your succulent is overhydrated, don’t panic. There are measures you can take to save it. The initial step is to remove the succulent from its container and examine the roots.

If any parts of the roots are mushy, they should be removed.

Then, allow the roots to dry out before repotting the succulent in a well-draining substrate with a container that has drainage holes.

Finally, give the 🥀 succulent several days to recover before hydrating again.

To avoid overhydrating your succulent in the future, it is important to establish a hydration schedule. Hydrate your succulent thoroughly but infrequently.

Generally, hydrating once every two weeks is sufficient, making sure the substrate is dry a few inches deep before hydrating again.

🌵 Aloe Care

If your succulent has moldy substrate, action is necessary. Remove the succulent from the container and discard the moldy substrate.

Repot the succulent in fresh, dry cactus or desert plant substrate to ensure it has the proper drainage it requires.

This will help prevent future mold growth and ensure the health of your succulent.

illustration of a succulent plant with a sign that says

🧑‍🌾 Soil Drainage

Persistently wet substrate is a problem for succulents 🌵 because it prevents the substrate from getting the aeration it needs.

This can lead to root decay and fungal growth, which can ultimately kill the succulent.

To prevent this, it is important to ensure the substrate is well-draining and to establish a hydration schedule that allows the substrate to dry out between hydrations.

Using the proper substrate is essential to preventing overhydration.

Cactus or desert plant substrate 🏜️, which is a mix of sand and potting soil, is ideal for succulents as it allows excess water to drain away quickly, keeping the roots dry and healthy.

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