Aloe vera is a plant that is extremely useful in the garden. It can be used to make beautiful decorations and other household items and is also a popular remedy for burns and sunburns.
If you are growing aloe vera and wondering how to keep it healthy during the cold days of winter, read this article carefully because we will answer all your questions regarding this topic.
In this article, we will explore what temperatures are ideal for growing aloe vera and give you advice on how to protect this plant when the temperature drops significantly.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Can Aloe Vera Plants Live in The Cold?
Aloe vera cannot live in the cold because it is native to Africa, where the climate is warm and high all year long. This plant is a succulent that originates from the African desert. It thrives in warm, dry environments and can tolerate temperatures from 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Aloe Vera plants can be grown outdoors only in warm climates.
The Aloe Vera plant may die when the temperature gets too cold. In fact, the plant will not be able to survive in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
To keep the Aloe Vera plant alive and thriving, you must ensure that you provide it with enough sunlight and water.
Aloe vera will grow well in zones 8 to 11 in the USA. The climates in these zones are characterized by mild winters and hot, humid summers. In these zones, aloe vera will grow best in soil that is low in nutrients and with little or no fertilizers.
If you want to help your aloe vera plant withstand the winter cold, follow the tips in the video below:
Wondering if the aloe vera plant can grow fast? here is the answer.
What Temperature Is Too Cold for Aloe Plants?
Below 25 degrees Fahrenheit is the lowest temperature that aloe plants can tolerate. These plants cannot tolerate low temperatures because they have thick, succulent leaves that store extra water. This excess water causes the leaves to become soft and sticky when the temperature reaches low levels.
Cold temperatures can also cause the gel inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant to freeze. This can cause the aloe to die because the plant’s cells will burst and lose their water.
Generally, many tropical plants cannot tolerate low temperatures because they are not adapted to cold weather. For example, many tropical plants have leaves covered in wax, which helps prevent water loss. When temperatures drop below freezing, the wax can freeze and cause the leaves to die.
Click here to check our article about why aloe vera leaves curl.
What Are the Aloe Vera Varieties That Can Tolerate Cold Weather?
Even though aloe vera cannot tolerate cold weather, some varieties of this plant can survive in such conditions. The most common aloe vera variant that can survive cold climates is “Alpines Aloe Vera.” This variety can grow in the cold because it’s a hardy plant that can tolerate many environments.
Alpines Aloe Vera varieties are some of the most popular aloe vera plants. They are known for their small size and hardiness, making them perfect for growing in containers or cold climates. Alpines Aloe Vera plants are also famous for their medicinal properties and are often used to treat skin conditions and other minor ailments.
Lace aloe can also survive in cold weather. This plant is a succulent with leaves that are densely covered in white, raised spots. The spots resemble lace, giving the plant its common name. This plant is native to South Africa and grows in rocky areas and on cliffs.
Lace aloe forms offsets that can be separated from the parent plant and grown into new plants. It is a popular garden plant and is also used for landscaping.
Another aloe vera variant that can survive cold weather is the Aloe striatula. This plant is a small succulent with leaves that are striped with white. It is native to South Africa and grows in rocky areas.
Aloe striatula leaves are about 2 inches long and are pointed at the tips. The flowers are pink and tubular and grow in clusters on the ends of the branches.
Wondering if aloe vera leaves grow back after cutting? Here is the answer.
Will the Aloe Vera Plant Come Back After the Freeze?
Aloe vera plants will not come back after a freeze because this makes the leaves fall apart. In fact, if an aloe vera plant freezes, it cannot photosynthesize. As a result, the leaves will turn black and die, and the plant will never return after the freeze.
To prevent your aloe vera plant from freezing, move it to a warm spot in your house. This can be a sunny window, or if your home is unheated, you can put the plant in the bathroom or on top of the radiator.
Also, if you choose to bring your plant inside when the climate gets cold, you should acclimate it. You can acclimate your aloe vera by preparing it for the new environment a few weeks before it gets cold. To do this, try to bring your aloe home for a few hours every day at the beginning of winter. This will help your plant adapt to the indoor environment.
Hesitating about keeping aloe vera in the bedroom? Click here to get the answer.
What Do You Do With A Frozen Aloe Vera Plant?
In most cases, you can not save a frozen aloe vera plant because the freezing conditions kill this plant. All you can do is check if there are still some healthy leaves on your plant after thawing and try to plant them again.
If you have an aloe vera plant that has been partly frozen, you can save it by allowing it to thaw at room temperature. Once it has thawed, you can cut off the damaged parts of the plant and then place the sunny plant spot. The plant will need plenty of sunlight to return to its original state.
Wondering if aloe vera can grow flowers? Click here to get the answer.
How Do You Keep an Aloe Plant Alive in The Winter?
The first thing to do if you want to keep your aloe vera healthy during winter is to transfer it from outdoors to indoors. Then, you should provide the plant with sufficient light using grow light. This will allow the plant to photosynthesize correctly and produce enough food and energy to survive the cold days.
There are many other additional actions that you can take to protect your aloe vera during winter. Here is a complete list of aloe winter care tips:
Try to Make the Soil Warmer: Using a heating pad, you can make the soil warmer for your aloe plant. You can also put a sunlight simulator under the pot. These are great ways to make the soil more hospitable for plants during winter.
Reduce Watering Frequency: Generally, water evaporates slowly during winter. As a result, reducing watering frequency can help the plant save energy and keep the roots safe from rotting.
Use Frost Cloths: Frost cloths will help to protect your plants from cold weather and frost by keeping the soil and the roots of the plant warm. This can be done by placing a frost cloth over the pot.
Frost cloths are made of a lightweight material that can keep the plants warm. This is important because it can help to protect the plants from being damaged by the cold weather. Frost cloths can be used on various plants, including vegetables and flowers.
Move Your Aloe Plant to a Warm Area: the best warm area where you can keep your aloe vera during winter is a bathroom or the kitchen. These areas are usually more generous than the rest of your house and provide enough humidity to keep a plant healthy.
Use a Device to Increase the Temperature: Many devices can help you increase the temperature around your aloe vera plant during winter. One standard device is the space heater. This device can be placed in any room of your house. It can be used to heat the air and make your home warmer. This is an excellent way to warm your home and plants during winter.
Do Not Fertilize: Generally, aloe plants go dormant during winter. Fertilizing plants when they are dormant could potentially damage them and cause them to become unhealthy. It is better to wait until spring to fertilize your plants.
How much water for an aloe plant? Here is the exact answer.
