How to Save an Aloe Vera Plant With Root Rot

Does your Aloe Vera have root rot? There are many different symptoms of this fungal disease, and it's important to treat it right away once you've confirmed that it's the problem. In this article, gardening expert Emily Horn looks at the most common symptoms of root rot, and how to fix it!

Written by Emily Horn Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: June 3, 2025 | 9 min read

A close-up shot of a person holding a potted houseplant, showcasing sever signs of aloe root rot

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Root rot is a common issue in aloe vera plants, usually caused by overwatering. Your plant may display a range of symptoms depending on the severity of the fungal infection and its overall condition.

Some of the more common signs include smelly soil, yellowing leaves, and a wilted, dying appearance. But what happens when your plant isn’t looking its best, and you suspect root rot is to blame?

Once you’ve identified root rot in your aloe vera, there are several potential solutions depending on how advanced the infection is. Continue reading to learn the warning signs to watch for, as well as how to revive your plant once root rot strikes.

Signs Your Aloe Vera Has Root Rot

The first step is to identify the signs your aloe vera root rot, so you know what you’re working with. Then you can take steps to resolve the problem.

Smelly Soil

Rotting of the roots of a succulent plant. Close-up of male hands demonstrating rotten roots in a flower pot. The plant has soft, withered, yellowish-green and brown dry leaves formed into two rosettes. — If you feel an unpleasant smell of stagnant soil, then this is a sign of a fungal disease of the plant’s roots.

The smell of stagnant soil is a clear sign that something isn’t right inside your plant’s pot. When you water your aloe and the excess water can’t drain away, it sits in the soil.

Over time, trapped water, fungi, and bacteria begin breaking down the organic matter around them. In this case, that includes both the potting mix and the plant’s roots. As decomposition progresses and oxygen levels decrease, the soil starts to emit a foul odor.

Root Discoloration

Close-up of Mudish hands holding rotten succulent roots over a flower pot with soil. A man holds a soil ball with black rotten plant roots. The plant has a rotten stem from which a rosette of thin, long, withered leaves with brown tips is formed. Against a blurred background, there is a small garden shovel on a wooden table. — Rotten roots are usually orange-brown-black in color and have a slimy feel when touched.

A surefire way to determine if your aloe vera has root rot is to inspect the root system. Depending on the size of your plant, invert the pot over a trash can, tarp, or take it outdoors, keeping your fingers around the aloe’s stem as you gently wiggle off the pot.

Loosen the soil carefully around the roots and examine the root tissue. Healthy roots will be firm, thick, and intertwined, typically yellow, orange, or light brown in color.

Rotting roots, on the other hand, are usually dark brown to black, slimy to the touch, may detach easily from the stem, appear sparse, or may be missing altogether.

Wilted Foliage

Close-up of withering leaves of a succulent plant on a white background. The leaves are thick, long, fleshy, bright green in color with white spots on the surface. Some leaves wilt, have yellow-brown dry or shriveled tips. — When the roots rot, the water stops flowing to the leaves and they begin to dry out and wilt.

So, you’ve noticed that your plant is looking wilted or the leaves have started turning brown. Wilting usually means your aloe needs water, right? Not so fast.

Watering on a regular schedule, whether the plant needs it or not, can lead to excess water buildup. As mentioned earlier with the stinky soil situation, too much water creates conditions that promote decomposition and decay, especially in the root system.

When the roots are damaged, they lose their ability to transport water and nutrients from the soil to the rest of the plant. Without that upward movement, the leaves begin to dry out and eventually show signs of wilt.

Leaf Discoloration

Close-up of male hands holding a large clay pot with a diseased succulent plant in front of them. The man is wearing a white T-shirt. The plant produces a rosette of thick and fleshy leaves with small spines along the edges of the leaf blade. The leaves are discolored, have a gray-yellow-pinkish color due to root rot. The tips of the leaves are brown and dry. — With root rot, leaves can become discolored and turn yellow.

An aloe vera suffering from root rot typically develops many leaves that turn light green to yellow. This discoloration may occur with or without wilting, though both symptoms often appear at the same time.

Once again, the underlying issue is that the roots can no longer perform their job, moving nutrients from the soil to the rest of the plant.

Leaf Texture

Close-up of a withered aloe vera leaf on a blurred background. The leaf is long, thick, fleshy, with a pointed end, and small spines along the edges. The leaf is wilted, slightly curled down with a brown dry end and brown rot spots. — One of the signs of root rot is a change in the structure of the leaves to wilted or twisted.

When root rot sets in, the overall texture and appearance of the leaves changes dramatically. Healthy leaves are thick, firm, and display a rich, opaque medium green color.

Leaves affected by root rot often turn yellow, appear wilted or bent, and become translucent and slimy almost as if the skin has been peeled off, even though it hasn’t. In severe cases, a simple touch may cause the leaf to fall off with little to no pressure.

Plant Falling Over

Close-up of a lying Aloe Vera plant on a pale yellow table next to red gardening gloves and a black flower pot. Aloe has a rosette of fleshy, long, green leaves covered in irregular white spots and with small thorns on the edges. Aloe Vera roots are short, blackish-brown in color, covered with soil. — If the roots of Aloe completely rot, then the plant will not be able to keep the heavy leaves upright for a long time.

The job of plant roots is twofold: to absorb water and nutrients, and to anchor the plant in the soil. When root rot begins, the plant loses the support system it needs to stay upright.

Because this succulent stores water in its leaf tissue for long periods, it’s naturally top-heavy. If the roots have started to rot, the base of the plant can no longer support its above-ground weight, and the aloe plant will eventually fall over.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are tiny, black flying insects commonly found in overly wet soil. Similar in size to fruit flies, adult fungus gnats are mostly a nuisance, often seen hovering near the soil surface.

While the adults don’t harm the plant, their juvenile stages live in the soil, feeding on decaying organic matter. If the larval population becomes large enough, they may begin feeding on the plant’s roots. The more they consume, the fewer healthy roots remain to support the plant’s growth.

The most effective way to control fungus gnats is to stop overwatering. Fungus gnat larvae cannot survive in dry soil.

To check the extent of the larval population, insert a small slice of potato (about the size of a French fry) into the soil and leave it overnight. In the morning, gently remove the potato and look for small white, worm-like creatures. These are the fungus gnat larvae.

You can repeat this process over a few days to monitor whether the population is decreasing. Paired with proper watering practices, this method will help you eliminate fungus gnats without the need for chemicals.

How to Save an Aloe Vera with Root Rot

Close-up of a gardener's hands in black gloves transplanting an aloe plant into a red pot filled with soil. The gardener is wearing a gray hoodie and a bright yellow jacket. The aloe plant is a succulent plant with thick, long, fleshy leaves that form a dense rosette. The leaves are green with small white spots on the surface. The edges of the leaves are covered with small thorns. Fresh soil is scattered on the table. — It is necessary to remove the plant from the existing soil and transplant into fresh soil and a new pot with good drainage holes.

All may not be lost if your plant has root rot. Aloe is a tough plant. It has to be, living out in the desert. With the right care, you can often help your aloe make a full recovery. Here are some tips to get started.

Whether or not you’ve already checked the root system for signs of rot, the first step is to remove the plant from its existing soil. From there, you’ll need to follow a few key steps to help remedy the situation.

Step 1: Dispose of Old Soil

Infected Plant Soil is in Gray Ceramic Pot. It has a white fungal growth in the pot and needs to be emptied. — Disposing infected soil is critical to keeping your transplants healthy,

Discard the soil into the trash or compost, it should not be reused. The original soil likely contains harmful bacteria and fungi, and reusing it would defeat the purpose of trying to rehabilitate the plant.

Step 2: Find a Well-Draining Pot

Terra cotta pots with drainage holes in the bottoms. There are a number of pots stacked together, all of them have holes in the bottom. — Having a well-draining pot will ensure moisture doesn’t get trapped in the roots of the plant.

If your original pot didn’t have drainage holes, replace it with one that does, ideally one of a similar size and diameter. A pot with proper drainage, paired with a well-draining potting mix designed for cacti and succulents, will help prevent stagnant soil and reduce the risk of future root rot.

Step 3: Clean Your Pot

Sanitizing terra cotta plant pots in red plastic bucket. There are three pots getting disinfected in a liquid solution. — You can opt to soak your pots in a bleach solution to sanitize them.

If your original pot has drainage holes, you can reuse it after proper cleaning and sanitizing. Start by using a stiff brush to remove any remaining soil from the inside of the pot. Then, wash it thoroughly with regular dish soap and water.

It’s important to clean the pot before sanitizing it. To sanitize, you have two options:

Option 1: Use 70% rubbing alcohol. Pour the alcohol onto a paper towel and wipe down the inside of the pot, allowing it to air dry and the alcohol to evaporate.

Option 2: Soak the pot in a 10% chlorine bleach solution. In a container large enough to fully submerge the pot, mix 9 parts water with 1 part chlorine bleach. For example, if you’re using a 12-cup container, add your pot, then pour in 9 cups of water and 1 cup of bleach.

Leave enough room at the top of the container to prevent bleach water from splashing over the sides. The exact amounts will vary depending on your pot’s size, but the 9:1 ratio should stay the same. Let the pot soak for 30 minutes, then remove it from the solution and rinse gently.

Step 4: Clean and Sanitize Your Tools

Garden tools sitting on a table. There is a small trowel for shoveling dirt with a black handle, and a three pronged fork tool for moving soil with a yellow and green plastic handle. A small pile of soil also sits on the table. — It’s critical to sanitize your tools in order to prevent the spread of disease.

You’ll need to clean and sanitize any tools (such as pruners, knives, or trowels) before using them on your aloe plant. The same methods used to clean and sanitize your pot apply here as well.

One important note: when chlorine bleach comes into contact with organic matter, its sanitizing power decreases significantly. While it may be tempting to reuse the bleach solution from soaking your pot, it won’t be as effective. Always prepare a fresh batch of solution using the same water-to-bleach ratio, soak times, and rinsing steps.

Step 5: Begin Root Pruning

Pruning roots of succulent plants on wooden table. There are several aloe vera plants on the table with the roots exposed on each of them. — Root pruning is important as it allows you to remove dead root tissue.

Once your tools are cleaned and sanitized, begin root pruning your aloe plant. Remove any roots that are black, slimy, mushy, or have a foul odor.

Cutting away this dead tissue helps stimulate the plant to grow new, healthy roots. If you discover that your plant no longer has any viable roots, don’t worry. We’ll cover what to do in a section further down.

Step 6: Repotting

Male gardener putting a succulent plant in a new pot. The plant was moved to a larger container with new and clean soil. — Repotting allows you to place the healthy parts of a plant into a new pot with fresh soil.

Using a soil mix designed specifically for cacti and succulents, repot your aloe into its container with fresh soil. If the pot has large drainage holes, you can place a small piece of window screening or a shard of broken pottery over the hole to prevent soil from washing out. Fill the pot about three-quarters full, carefully guiding any remaining roots inside.

Add more soil until the pot is nearly full, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top. This space allows for overhead watering and helps prevent water from spilling over the edges. Gently but firmly press the soil down to secure the plant.

If your aloe still has healthy roots, give it a thorough watering, waiting until water drains out of the holes at the bottom. When water exits the drainage holes, it signals that the entire soil profile has been saturated. Return the plant to its usual location.

It may take several weeks to notice a response above the soil surface. But over time, you should begin to see new leaves emerging. This is a good sign that the existing roots have recovered or that new roots have formed and are supporting fresh growth.

Saving an Aloe Vera Plant Without Roots

Close-up of female hands in green gardening gloves holding two healthy cuttings of aloe vera for planting. Scarlet cuttings have long, bright green, fleshy leaves, the edges of which are covered with small spines. A garden rake and a shovel lie on a wooden surface. — If root rot has destroyed all the roots, you can use the remaining healthy leaves to start over.

Severe root rot may have destroyed all of your aloe’s existing roots, but all is not lost. If the leaves are still relatively healthy, you can take a cutting and start again. Using a clean, sanitized knife, cut the stem of the aloe plant horizontally.

Step 1: Remove Discolored Leaves

Rotting succulent plant with yellowing foliage. The plant sits in a white ceramic pot on top of a gray table top. — Removing discolored leaves will allow you to replant the healthy leaves.

Gently remove any lower leaves that are discolored or slimy by sliding them off the bottom of the stem. You may need to remove additional leaves to expose about 2 to 3 inches of bare stem.

This length is important for restarting your aloe, as it provides enough stem to anchor the plant in the soil, especially since there are no roots to hold it in place. Be sure not to remove all of the leaves; the plant will continue to photosynthesize and rely on the water stored in its remaining leaves for survival.

Step 2: Callusing

Gardener cutting off part of succulent plant for callousing. The gardener is wearing white cloth gloves and performing the prune using a sharp cutting knife. — Once the healthy parts of the plant are removed, callusing will seal off harmful pathogens.

Place the cut aloe stem on a paper towel and let the cut end dry out for a few days. This process, known as callusing, helps seal the plant and protects it from pathogens that could enter through the open wound. A well-formed callus will appear light tan or off-white in color, with a shriveled, papery texture at the cut surface.

Step 3: Potting Callused Plants

Fresh plant cuttings in garden soil within a terra cotta pot. The cuttings are fresh and green, and very recently transplanted into the pot. — Once callused over, the plant can be repotted into a fresh pot in an attempt to salvage them.

Once the stem has callused, place screening over the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot, then fill it with desert plant potting soil, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Soils formulated for cacti and succulents contain higher amounts of sand, perlite, and pumice, which promote better drainage than standard potting mixes.

Gently tap down the soil to compact it slightly, then create a small indentation in the center. Insert the callused aloe stem into the indentation, making sure the bottom leaves sit just above the soil line.

Place your aloe cutting in a spot with bright, indirect light, and water the pot lightly. There’s no need to saturate the soil, since there are no roots to absorb the moisture yet. Keep the soil evenly moist as the aloe begins to regrow roots. The first sign that new roots have formed is usually the appearance of new top growth.

How to Save an Aloe Vera Plant With Root Rot