Aloe Vera Brown Spots

On Aloe vera, the texture and location of a brown spot tell you more than the color alone. Young plants and recently moved pots are most prone to sunscald because thin new leaves can't buffer sudden bright light, while older plants with persistent wet soil are more likely to show brown, soft lesions from rot.

Sunscald (sunburn) looks like dry, tan-to-brown patches that are often isolated on one side of the plant where the light hits most directly; water-related spots are darker, soft or mushy, and often begin nearer the base of the leaf or spread inward from the leaf margins. Small round spots that enlarge over time suggest a fungal or bacterial leaf spot, especially where humidity is high and leaves remain wet.

Before you make changes, check three quick things: the recent light change (did you move it outdoors or to a sunnier window?), soil moisture (feel the top 2 inches or use a meter), and pot drainage (is the potting mix soggy and does the pot have reliable pot drainage holes?). These checks narrow your diagnosis quickly and guide the right fix.