How can I perk up my aloe? (Pic included)

[TheRhythmlessMan]

I hardly water it. It's been like this for about a year.

Does it need reporting? Mine is constantly having babies and stands up straight so I'd guess that's why yours looks like that

That's re potting obviously, bloody auto correct 🙄

Also it's probably thirsty, the leaves look thin, they should be fleshy - they store water in the leaves so give it a soak rather than watering it and see what happens

Following. Mine is massive and looking a bit sad. I suspect both the OPs and mine need repotting and a good soak.

Thank you. I've wondered if the pot is too deep (does that make a difference?). Can you buy special compost for succulents and when I re pot it do I cut it back- is assume that 'cutting back' an aloe means taking off whole 'leaves' rather than cutting them back, which presumably makes them just rot down(?)

I think it needs water. You should let it go completely dry, say two weeks, then flood it with water,

Do you feed it?

Stand it in a bowl or bucket overnight then buy compost for succulents and repot it - you ideally need three or four inches around the plant.
You can get food for it but it shouldn't need feeding too often if it's getting water enough and has good compost and is in a sunny spot. I love mine, it's huge and we often break prices of to use on bites, burns etc.

This is mine, you can see the difference in thr leaves. I think yours isn't getting enough water, mine is also in a very deep pot.

It needs watering I'd say - are the leaves soft or firm?

Limp = needs more water.

Thank you all so much for the advice. When I do water it I've only ever used a fine rose that just moistens the surface. There I was thinking I don't want to overwater it but the poor thing is clearly struggling.

How long do you think it might take to look healthy? I'll try submerging in water until it's completely saturated then I'll re pot it. I'll do the fortnightly submerging in water as pp suggested.

Thank you all. I'll report back if or when I see results.

I think it will probably perk up quite quickly. Just flood it's container with water. The leaves should be plump, the gel is in the leaves,and you can see they are empty and thin, because it's had no water.

Leaves should be quite firm to touch (like your palm). Any squishiness indicates it needs watering.

@Bluntness100 I have aloe envy
What a beautiful plant.

Mine is currently having a bath!

Just a thought..,
Would it benefit from a 'prune'/ taking a number of the segments off? Like one would do to an outdoor plant to reinvigorate it and allow the plant to focus energy on making a good root system. I can't imagine that these long legs that it currently has will plump up much.

The segments aren't soft, oddly. It just can't support the length of them from the centre.

It's had its bath and so I'll see what happens.

Definitely report it. 101 immediately!

I don't think I would prune it no, not unless the leaves are loose or browning and it seems they aren't,,,,

As said I let me go bone dry, usually takes two weeks, then I flood it's pot. I keep it in a warm room and it gets plenty of sunlight,

and it gets plenty of sunlight
This is the problem. Not nearly enough light. Aloes are native to South Africa, and are exposed to intense light in habitat. When grown in the comparatively dim light of a room, they etiolate - grow weak and leggy, which is what has happened to your plant. It requires as much light as you can give it - preferably a south facing window sill then the new growth should become stronger and more compact.
Water thoroughly when the potting mix is dry - don't give it dribbles, but don't over water it either, it is a succulent, storing moisture in the leaves, and will tolerate being dry for short periods.
There is no point cutting off any leaves, once it makes new, and hopefully, sturdier growth, those leaves will slowly dry off.

You can't overwater an aloe (it's the only plant I can't kill). Don't prune, just shove it in a sink with lots of water overnight and it'll be all full again by morning then water it once a week, soaking it if it goes droopy.

@m0therofdragons Really? Can't overwater you say? Fab, I have only got one long lasting live plant at the moment, the others keep dying.

adds aloe plant to shopping list

Mine is in the hottest sunniest driest spot in my kitchen. Literally on top of the boiler in a south eastern window with a skylight above. I water it heavily about once a month - so give it about 2 litres of water and it’s in rude health it’s enormous.

So find the hottest sunniest spot, heavy watering not too often. Then desert - no water and then massive flood now and again. Nice sandy, light soil. You can order succulent compost on amazon.

I think you can over water an aloe if you keep it constantly wet, it basically rots, . I simply did some googling, and it said it's best to let it go bone dry then flood it, and it seems to be working, which is what I think you're saying mother.

If she watered it heavily daily she'd probably kill it, but a good flooding every time it's bone dry, warmth and sunlight and it will be fine.

@GummyGoddess it's like a cactus (disclaimer it may or may not be in the cactus family but acts like one imo). It is happy to be soaked intensively then not be watered for 3 weeks whilst you go on holiday. I have it in my kitchen to snap bits off and use the aloe juices when I burn myself (I'm a very clumsy cook!). They grow in hot countries so when it rains they grab all the water as it may not rain again all summer.

I over watered an aloe aristata (sp?). Possible, but hard work. it recovered fine.