Gardening Plants & Flowers Cacti & Succulents

21 Types of Aloe Plants: Identification and Care Tips

By
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/10/23
Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
aloe plant

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Most people are familiar with one of the most ubiquitous types of aloe, the aloe vera plant. The gel from aloe vera's fleshy leaves is so widely coveted for its cosmetic and medicinal uses that this succulent is cultivated on extensive farms in Asia, Mexico, and parts of the United States. However, the Aloe genus is large and diverse, containing over 500 aloe types native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, which feature the mild temperatures and arid climate that support the growth of these tough plants. Many of these lesser-known aloes can be cultivated in containers or even outdoors in frost-free zones.

Although appearances vary greatly from species to species, most aloes have thick, fleshy leaves arranged in a rosette pattern. Flowers are often tubular in shape and yellow, orange, pink, or red in color. They range from tiny ground-hugging species to those the size of small trees.

Here, learn about 21 types of aloe with tips to identify each variety and care for it in your garden.

Gardening Tip

When grown in a garden, aloe plants require a loose, gritty soil, such as that common in desert regions. If you have very rich soil, you may need to amend it with sand. Preferably, the soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. When grown in containers, aloes do best with a loose potting mix designed for succulents.

  • 01 of 21

    Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller)

    Aloe vera leaves

    Getty Images/anand purohit

    Aloe vera is often know for its ability to soothe a sunburn and other skin irritations, and this popular houseplant is actually a tropical succulent. While there are over 300 varieties of aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis Miller is the most commonly known. It features lance-shaped leaves and spiky flowers, and its leaves break open to reveal a green gel.

    • Native Area: Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 10-12
    • Height: 1–3 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Yellow, red, orange
  • 02 of 21

    Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)

    Lace aloe

    mpalis / Getty Images

    Aloe aristata stands apart from other types of aloe because it's more cold tolerant and needs more shade than most. Lace aloe plants resemble Haworthia plants with their white whiskers and bumpy leaf tubercles. The lace aloe may bounce back from temperatures as low as 19 degrees, but one thing it won't survive is soggy conditions, which will cause the plant's demise from rot. Because it's small, you can move the container plant around to keep it from getting sunburned or frozen. In the wild, lace aloe plants form a globe shape with darkened leaves in response to winter drought. Follow this natural growth pattern by withholding water in the winter, or keep it irrigated for a plump, lush plant.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 7–10
    • Height: 6–9 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Red
  • 03 of 21

    Golden Toothed Aloe (Aloe nobilis)

    Golden toothed aloe

    hanohiki / Getty Images

    Aloe nobilis is full of personality, with its abundant yellow spikes and rose-tipped leaves. The medium-sized rosettes may produce reddish-orange bloom spikes in very bright light. Golden toothed aloe looks handsome in a mixed dish garden with other succulent specimens.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 6–12 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Reddish-orange
  • 04 of 21

    Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe juvenna)

    Tiger tooth aloe

    Sharaf Maksumov / Getty Images

    Aloe juvenna is more bark than bite: Yes, its leaves have toothy protrusions that give the plant its name, but the spikes are soft and flexible and lend more charm than defense. Like most aloe types, it likes warm to hot conditions. Happy plants produce pup offsets for propagating; the plant turn reddish-brown in response to full sun. Give your tiger tooth aloe a summer vacation outdoors, and you may earn bragging rights when it blooms with long, red flower stalks.

    • Native Area: East Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 9–12 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Orange-red
    Continue to 5 of 21 below
  • 05 of 21

    Short-Leaf Aloe (Aloe brevifolia)

    Short-leaf aloe

    Lazing Bee / Getty Images

    If you live where temperatures never dip below 25 degrees, try Aloe brevifolia as a drought-tolerant ground cover that reaches only 4 inches tall. The handsome gray leaves sometimes exhibit a tinge of orange outdoors, which looks stunning when its orange blooms appear in fall and winter. The clumping plants are deer resistant and tolerant of poor clay soil, as long as rainfall is minimal.

    • Native Area: Southwest Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 8–11
    • Height: 6 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Orange
  • 06 of 21

    Red Aloe (Aloe cameronii)

    Red aloe

    Ton Rulkens / Getty Images 

    Aloe cameronii gets its common name, red aloe, from the exquisite coppery-red leaves that lend a vibrant sunset-hued glow to any garden. The red is enhanced by dry conditions, so don't overwater these tough plants, or they'll remain green. This type of aloe is named in honor of Kenneth Cameron, who sent it from South Africa to the Royal Botanic Gardens in England for further examination in 1854.

    • Native Area: Southeastern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 1–2 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun (tolerates light shade)
    • Flower Color: Orange-red
  • 07 of 21

    Snake Aloe (Aloe broomii)

    Snake aloe

    Shihina / Getty Images 

    Aloe broomii is called snake aloe not for its toothy foliage but for its unique blossom shape. The flowers are covered with long bracts (leaves) that lend a serpentine quality. The plants have a rosette of stiff leaves edged with dark thorns, and they appreciate the same warm and dry growing conditions as most aloe types. This plant is sometimes known as mountain aloe because of its fondness for rocky slopes.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 1–3 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Yellow, orange, red
  • 08 of 21

    Sunset Aloe (Aloe dorotheae)

    Sunset aloe

    teenoo / Getty Images

    Be sure to plant Aloe dorotheae in full sun to coax the best orange and salmon colors from this vibrant cultivar. Place this low-growing aloe at the front of your border in the rock garden, or grow in a container, where it will achieve a maximum height of about 12 inches. Winter flower spikes may appear, featuring orange blooms with pale green tips. This is an endangered plant species in its native South Africa.

    • Native Area: Tanzania
    • USDA Growing Zones: 10–11
    • Height: 6–12 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Orange
    Continue to 9 of 21 below
  • 09 of 21

    Malagasy Tree Aloe (Aloe vaombe)

    Malagasy tree aloe

    Kevin Schafer / Getty Images

    Although many aloe types feature a rosette of leaves without stems, Aloe vaombe takes the form of a tree. The Malagasy tree aloe is native to Madagascar, but, with careful propagation methods, gardeners have been able to cultivate it in places like Arizona or north coastal New Zealand, where temperatures stay above freezing. As plants reach maturity, they produce early spring stalks of red flower clusters that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Flowers are followed by abundant seeds, which have a high germination rate in warm, moist growing environments.

    • Native Area: Southern Madagascar
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 8–12 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Red
  • 10 of 21

    Spiral Aloe (Aloe polyphylla)

    Spiral aloe

    COffe72 / Getty Images

    Aloe polyphylla may not be the most common type of aloe, but spiral aloe one of the most photographed, thanks to its mesmerizing spiral shape. Some botanists theorize that organisms grow in spiral shapes because it ensures the most exposure to light and requires the least amount of energy to form the repeating pattern. The solitary rosettes may grow to 2 feet across but only 1 foot tall, making an interesting specimen for a rock garden, green roof, or poolside container garden.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–12
    • Height: 9–12 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Red, salmon-pink, yellow
  • 11 of 21

    Sand Aloe (Aloe hereroensis)

    Sand aloe

    shihina / Getty Images

    Aloe hereroensis is a chameleon, appearing silvery gray, pale green, or even pinkish, depending on the light exposure and irrigation it receives. The small spines that grow on leaf edges are sharp, so use gloves when planting or weeding around this aloe. It's as tough as it looks and will bounce back from temperatures as low as 25 degrees.

    • Native Area: Central and southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 1–2 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Scarlet to deep red
  • 12 of 21

    Soap Aloe (Aloe maculata)

    Soap aloe

    ffaber53 / Getty Images

    Aloe maculata has sharp spines on each leaf that rival any cactus, but it rarely needs tending other than clipping off spent blossoms. So hands-on maintenance isn't necessary to grow this sturdy plant. Natives in South Africa have used the sap from this aloe type as a soap, but harvesting leaves from your specimen isn't advised, as the plants are very slow-growing and may not recover their symmetry afterward.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 8–12
    • Height: 1–2 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Yellow, red, orange
    Continue to 13 of 21 below
  • 13 of 21

    Mountain Aloe (Aloe marlothii)

    Mountain aloe

    Mantonature / Getty Images

    Aloe marlothii is a large plant best suited to growing outdoors in an arid, frost-free climate. Over time, the aloe forms a trunk-like stem surrounded by old leaves (similar to the growth pattern of some palms). The spiny leaves are quite imposing, and a mature specimen in flower with red and yellow blooms during the winter makes for quite an eye-catching sight.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–12
    • Height: 8–12 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Orange-red, yellow, bright red
  • 14 of 21

    Tree Aloe (Aloe barberae)

    Tree aloe

    bpperry / Getty Images

    Aloe barberae is the perfect tree to grow poolside in frost-free climates because it's nearly mess free. At a mature height of 30 feet, with leafy rosettes erupting with rose-pink flowers in the winter, this aloe is a stunning addition to the succulent garden.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 20–30 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Rose pink
  • 15 of 21

    Van Balen's Aloe (Aloe vanbalenii)

    Van Balen's aloe

    JillianCain / Getty Images

    The more sun Aloe vanbalenii receives, the more fantastic red coloration this specimen will reveal. Leaves may curve to the point of resembling tentacles. A unique feature of Van Balen's aloe is the spicy smell the leaves emit when you crush them. Grow this large aloe type among landscaping or in a conservatory.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 2–3 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Flower Color: Red
  • 16 of 21

    Krantz aloe (Aloe arborescens)

    Krantz aloe leaves

    Getty Images/Sergi Escribano

    Krantz aloe thrives in rocky landscapes, which mimic its native environment of rocky ridges and cliffs. Aloe arborescens boasts striking red and orange flowers and branches that fan out like the arms of a candelabra, hence its nickname, candelabra aloe. Krantz aloe is one of the few aloes that similar to aloe vera, has medicinal properties in its thick leaves.

    • Native Area: Eastern and Southern Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9b–11
    • Height: 6-9 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Red to orange
    Continue to 17 of 21 below
  • 17 of 21

    Climbing aloe (Aloiampelos ciliaris, formerly Aloe ciliaris)

    Climbing aloe blooms

    Getty Images/PhotoStudioMCD

    Reaching 30 feet into the air, climbing aloe earns its nickname because of its warp climbing and growing speed. With full sun, Aloiampelos ciliaris can shoot into the air, leaving vibrant orange and red flowers trailing along its path. For those who want to plant climbing aloe in their own yard, it's a low maintenance, easy to grow plant.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 30 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Red, orange
  • 18 of 21

    Coral Aloe (Aloe Striata)

    Coral aloe leaves

    Getty Images/Sergi Escribano

    Hardy and drought-tolerant, the low-growing coral aloe grows smooth leaves and coral red blooms that attract hummingbirds and insects. Aloe Striata is a favorite in xeriscape landscaping, and it can stand up to extreme weather, including frost. However, you may want to bring it in over long, cold winter stretches.

    • Native Area: Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 2 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
    • Flower Color: Orange
  • 19 of 21

    Jewel Aloe (Aloe distans)

    Jewel aloe leaves

    Getty Images/Ivelin Denev

    Jewel aloe may only reach 5 inches tall, but that doesn't mean it's a petite plant. This popular ground cover can reach 5 feet across, filling a space with waxy, triangular leaves. Aloe distans' leaves have an intimidating look with jagged teeth, but their foliage attracts pollinators with its vibrant color.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 5 inches
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
    • Flower Color: Yellow, orange, red
  • 20 of 21

    Tiger aloe (Gonialoe variegata)

    Tiger aloe

    Getty Images/Christian Sturzenegger

    The eye-catching striped leaves of tiger aloe give it its catchy name. And it's those bold, graphic leaves, in addition to its low maintenance nature, that make Gonialoe variegata a popular choice for an indoor house plant. You can even keep it potted outdoors during the warmer months, then bring it in when it gets colder. It boasts orange and pink flowers from July to September.

    • Native Area: Southern Africa and Namibia
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–11
    • Height: 1-2 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
    • Flower Color: Orange, salmon, pink, yellow (rare)
    Continue to 21 of 21 below
  • 21 of 21

    Cape Aloe (Aloe Ferox)

    Cape aloe leaves

    Getty Images/Sergi Escribano

    Aloe Ferox is another medicinal aloe, but this one has a bitter aloe that is used as a laxative. Cape aloe, named after the region in which its native, grows nearly 10 feet into the sky, with tubular, multi-branched flowers that reach up to 4 feet above the highest leaves. Similar to other aloes, there are spikes along its lance-shaped leaves.

    • Native Area: South Africa
    • USDA Growing Zones: 9–12
    • Height: 10 feet
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Flower Color: Red-orange
FAQ
  • Are all types of aloe good for your skin?

    Aloe vera is one of the best known types of aloe for a good reason. It's the one that carries medicinal benefits for your skin. Other types of aloe do not have the same properties.

  • How many types of aloe are there?

    There are over 500 types of aloe, which are flowering succulent plants.

  • What types of aloe are edible?

    Aloe barbadensis Miller, the commonly known aloe vera plant, is edible, along with Aloe arborescen and Aloe ferox.

Successfully Propagating Aloe Vera
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Lace Aloe (Aristaloe aristata). National Gardening Association

  2. Short Leaved Aloe (Aloe brevifolia). National Gardening Association

  3. Snake Aloe (Aloe broomii var. 'broomii'), National Gardening Association

  4. Sunset Aloe (Aloe dorotheae). National Gardening Association

  5. Malagasy Tree Aloe (Aloe vaombe). National Gardening Association

  6. Spiral Aloe (Aloe polyphylla). National Gardening Association

  7. Herero Aloe (Aloe hereroensis). National Gardening Association

  8. Klopper, Ronell R., et al. A Synoptic Review of the Aloes (Asphodelaceae, Alooideae) of KwaZulu-Natal, an Ecologically Diverse Province in Eastern South Africa. PhytoKeys, vol. 142, 2020, pp. 1–88., doi:10.3897/phytokeys.142.48365

  9. Mountain Aloe (Aloe marlothii). National Gardening Association