Basement Aloe Blues

[celery]

I've never posted here before, but it seems like you all are quite knowledgeable. I have an aloe plant that I moved from New Mexico to Maryland (just outside of DC). I'm living in a basement now, which was fine during the summer when I could leave my aloe outside, but now that winter has set in, I don't think it's getting enough light. I've put it on a window sill, but now I think it's getting too cold up there...Is there any way to coddle it through the winter? Should I wrap it up? Can I make a makeshift mini greenhouse with plastic wrap or something? Help!

[Newt]

Hi Celery,
Welcome to Maryland. I live near Baltimore, so we're neighbors! We're having an unusually cold winter, so I feel badly for you.

Aloes like low humidity, so wrapping it in a greenhouse type affair wouldn't be good for it. They can tolerate temps as low as 50*, so your plant may just be showing signs of stress from the climate change. You can probably relate to that one! They do like full sun, so if you have a south or west facing window it will be happier. If you don't have that much sun, but you have a flourescent light that you can keep on it for 12 hours that would help. Maybe one of those under the counter kitchen lights?

Newt

[celery]

Thanks for the tips, Newt. I have it in a west-facing window right now, which doesn't get a ton of light (due to the shadow of the neighbor's house), but more than the others. I'll try the fluorescent light thing, as well. I'm sure my aloe (and myself!) will eventually get used to being cold!

[Newt]

Hi Celery,
You're very welcome. Hope you both can keep warm!

Newt