Aloe vera (Aloe vera) is one of the most beloved succulent plants, grown both indoors and out. The question of whether aloe vera will revive after drying up depends on the severity of the problem. If it is totally browned all the way down to the roots and into the stems, the aloe likely will not return. If only parts of it are dried, withered or browned, you can probably revive it.
Aloe Vera Adaptations
Usually simply referred to as aloe, aloe vera grows outdoors in the warm climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. It has fleshy leaves that are adapted to store water in the hot, dry Mediterranean climate in which it evolved. In cooler climates, it is best grown indoors, but after the last spring frosts have passed, you can always set the pot outdoors on a patio or in a sunny greenhouse. Just remember to bring it back inside when temperatures begin to drop.
Freezing temperatures, or even hard frosts, can damage an aloe vera. The result is often blackened, withered leaves that may turn slimy or may become dry and brittle. If the damage extends to only a few leaves or only leaf tips, the aloe will most likely come back. If the aloe vera has dried up all the way through its leaves and down to the roots, you may have a harder time. Resist the urge to prune the dried parts away, leaving them on to prevent shocking the plant even more. Provide the aloe with the proper temperature, moisture and light. Once the plant revives, you may prune off the damaged parts.
Aloes are better adapted to handle heat, and because of this have built-in mechanisms to deal with prolonged periods of heat stress or drought. They go into a dormant stage, where they dehydrate, shrivel, drop leaves and stop growing. This is a normal response to lack of water and high temperatures, and if you see the symptoms, reverse them by placing the plant in a cooler spot and watering it. Do not flood the plant, as this can also lead to leaf drop.
Rejuvenate With Repotting
Aloe vera responds better than other plants to becoming root-bound, which means its roots grow in circles in the pot because they lack room to expand. Usually the result is that the aloe sends up smaller plants, or pups. Although this is a good way to propagate aloe, the pups will often drain the mother plant’s energy. If your aloe has pups but is starting to look dried and tired, unpot the whole family, remove the pups from the base of the mother with a sharp knife, allow all plants to scab over in open air for two or three days, and replant everyone in a separate pot.