Aloe vera has been used therapeutically for more than 6,000 years. It has stiff, water-storing leaves and grows vertically - it is a succulent native to the tropics. The radial or rosette-shaped leaves and tall stems bear the yellow flowers. But how can you save your plant if it is frozen?
Aloe vera plant frozen? Below you will discover helpful tips on what you can do to save the plant if there is frost damage.
Frost can be fatal for the aloe as it requires a minimum temperature of 5 degrees at night. The reason for this is that the plant's gel is 99% water. As a result, the aloe vera can actually freeze internally. But the aloe doesn't necessarily die if its leaves get a little cold. Even if the leaves shrivel and turn brown, the plant will likely grow again and perhaps even sprout new leaves unless the entire plant turns brown.
Frost damage to aloe vera
If aloe plants are exposed to freezing temperatures for more than a few hours, they will be unable to recover from much more severe frost damage. The leaf surfaces, blackened by frost, shrink and become crispy. Because plants typically recover from short, mild frosts, you'll need to wait a few weeks to see if the damage is systemic.
In areas where night temperatures fall below 5 degrees, you should not plant aloe vera outdoors as it is not hardy. However, there are cases where covering the plant can prevent frost damage, especially during unexpected weather conditions.
Early move to winter quarters - overwinter the plant
It is advisable to move the aloe vera plants to a warmer room before the first frost,writes Gartenjournal.net: Place the aloe vera in a warm, protected place in the house before the first frosts. It is recommended to bring the plant indoors by mid-September at the latest. Rooms with moderate temperatures and sufficient light are ideal for winter.
Provide protection and warmth
Aloe vera needs support when temperatures drop. The best way to protect your succulent companion from frost is to take frost protection measures. If you can't bring the aloe vera indoors, ensure good insulation outside. Use appropriate materials such as frost protection fleece or bubble wrap to cover the plant.
Important tips:
- You should support them so that the fleece does not come into direct contact with the plants. Remove the blankets during the day to let in some fresh air and light.
- Prevent frost damage with the right selection of appropriate insulation materials: Consider using plastic or straw to stay warm in really cold weather, but keep an eye on it on sunny days to make sure it doesn't get too hot.
- Mulch the soil around the plantto keep the floor warmand isolate the roots.
Also interesting:Oleander frozen: How to recognize the frost damage and save the oleander!
How do I save my frozen aloe plant?
- Place the plant in a bright, warm place. On the other hand, you should avoid placing the plant in the sun if possible.
- Don't give the plant any water for about a week. This gives the plant time to dry out damaged areas. Once the plant has dried, you can remove any damaged parts.
- To check the roots, remove the plant from the container if it appears to be severely damaged. Before repotting your plant in new soil, remove any diseased roots.
- If fresh, green growth appears, it means your plant has overcome cold damage.
- Pruning may be necessary if the damage is too extensive. After the aloe has bloomed (indoors and outdoors, March to June) is the best time to prune the plant. However, you should remove frost or frost-damaged leaves from your aloe by cutting them with a sharp knife. It would not be advisable to remove all the leaves at once if they have been severely damaged by the frost or ice. In this case, you can cut off the leaves when the aloe vera has returned to its normal growth.
- It is also recommended to move the aloe plant to a warmer location if possible and treat the cuts with agricultural sulfur.Agricultural sulfur is both a fertilizeras well as an aid for the aloe's recovery from weather stress and therefore serves a dual purpose.
Also read:Strawberries have yellow leaves in winter: this is how you can save your plants and overwinter them!
Cover photo: VasylMartynenko/Shutterstock
