Good evening everyone, I hope that you all are having a great day. It is unbelievable that there are only two days left of 2016! I was thinking today about which plant of mine had a complete transformation over the course of this year. Immediately my aloe vera plant came to mind. Last year's winter was a very cold one here in North Carolina, and my aloe did not fare too well in it. This was due to my previous home, since it did get very drafty especially at night. When spring arrived earlier this year, the plant was looking considerably droopy and I was becoming more and more concerned. Here is a photo taken on April 29, 2016:
My aloe vera was looking very unhappy. I posted on Instagram about this plant because of my concerns about this plant, and how to stop this drooping condition. I received some advice to tie up the drooping leaves so that the new growth won't be affected. I took this advice and searched around the house for something to use to tie the leaves in an upward position and I came across some leftover yarn. Here is a photo of the plant tied up in an upward position, taken on May 1, 2016:
This made the plant look much better and this did make me feel a little better that this plant will make it successfully! In the middle of June 2016, I decided to change the planter and soil texture. I realized that the ceramic green planter did not have proper drainage which could have been a leading reason as to why this plant was declining. I wanted to change the soil to make water drain more easily as well. I changed the aloe vera to a plastic planter with sufficient drainage and I added sand to the soil to allow for more proper drainage. I wish that I had pictures to show of this process but somehow I did not take any photos. I do have a photo of the plant's response to these new conditions. This was taken about a month after I changed the planter and soil texture, taken on July 20, 2016:
The aloe seemed to have responded pretty well. Sorry that you cannot see the entire plant, part of my sansevieria plant is in the way on the left in the upper photo. There were no more signs of droopiness and the plant looked happy for the first time in many months. I just continued to leave the aloe in this same growing spot in an east facing window with regular waterings. Here is how the plant looked on August 11, 2016:
This transformation really made me very shocked and excited! Here is how the plant looked on August 30, 2016:
Even more healthy, new growth has arrived! The tables has surely turned for my aloe vera plant! Here is how the aloe looked on December 17, 2016 (most recent):
The plant looks completely recovered now! I am glad because this plant is a very special one to me. I have had this plant for at least two and a half years and it's a special member of the plant family. This is a major transformation that has happened in my indoor garden in 2016. It was a rocky road to recovery for the aloe vera plant but I am glad that my aloe made it! Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read my post. Have a great rest of the day!
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