Question
QUESTION: My son inherited an Aloe plant when his nana died. The plant is healthy and thriving, no rot, leaves firm and green, growing like crazy. However, at her home the aloe was clear and had little odor. Now, 6 months later & in our home, the aloe if very yellow-ish (almost brown) and smells like "gravy" - yes, I said canned, turkey, gravy! I read a previous answer about water...could that be the only problem? Should I repot - and if so, with what type/brand of soil. My son is very attached to this plant, and I would hate to kill it with kindness. Oh, and can you use a mild solution of Miracle Grow - like 10/15 to one?

ANSWER: Hi Diane,

I am a little confused because you first said that the plant is healthy and green, but then said that it smells bad and the leaves are yellowing.

The odor can only be coming from something that was put into the soil. If your local tap water is brackish or very hard, that could be the problem. Using filtered or distilled water would be a better alternative. Perhaps some other food or beverage substance was poured into the soil on one occasion. That would also cause the problem. Perhaps your son can shed some light on that.

Try flushing lots of clear water through the soil. Then add a little lime to the soil. That should take care of the odor. But make sure no brackish water or food substances are added in the future.

It is also possible that your Aloe is getting watered too frequently. Perhaps, your son, with the best of intentions, is being overly diligent in that regard. It is important that Aloe soil dries out almost completely in between waterings.

Repotting will not help. Flushing the exsting soil and allowing the soil to dry out properly should do the trick unless the roots are already severely damaged by a foreign substance or by soil that stays wet. In that case, there is nothing you can do.

Until your Aloe has returned to health, do not use any fertilizer.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]



Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry about the confusion, the plant itself is healthy and thriving - it is the aloe "gel" (when you break off a leaf) that is brown and smelly. I will try what you said, and try to flush the soil with distilled water and not fertilize. My son never had the plant in his room, so I am sure there is nothing foreign in there! Thanks so much for your help.

Answer
Hi Diane,

Thanks for the clarification. Yours is the second complaint I have had recently about a healthy Aloe giving off a strong odor. I am not sure what that is about. Aloes do have a mild somewhat musty odor and I know that some people are more sensitive to odors than others. I wonder if that is what is happening. I cannot think of any other reason for the odor.

~Will