Aloe

Aloe vera

Barbados Aloe

Aloe vera is a succulent perennial from arid Oman, storing water in thick leaves and resenting wet roots. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and a bright spot with several hours of direct sun. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot, then let it dry again before the next drink.

Aloe marlothii

Flat-flowered Aloe

Aloe marlothii is a large succulent shrub or tree from the hot, seasonally dry grasslands and rocky slopes of southern Africa, where it stores water in thick leaves and endures long dry spells. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely through the pot — when in doubt, wait, as standing moisture rots the roots.

Aloe juvenna

Tiger Tooth Aloe

Aloe juvenna is a small succulent subshrub from the arid highlands of Kenya and Tanzania, storing water in its tightly stacked, toothed leaves. It wants bright light, gritty fast-draining mix, and deep but infrequent watering — water only when the soil has dried out completely all the way through, then let it run dry again. It rots if left sitting wet, so err toward drought.

Aloe brevifolia

Short-leaved Aloe

Aloe brevifolia is a small succulent subshrub from the Cape Provinces of South Africa, built to store water in its fleshy rosettes and endure dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest spot you can, and water deeply only when the soil has gone completely dry through the pot. It rots readily if kept moist, so when in doubt, wait.

Aloe striata

Coral Aloe

Aloe striata is a succulent perennial from the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it stores water in its broad leaves and endures long dry spells in bright, arid conditions. Give it strong direct light and a gritty, fast-draining mix, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err toward letting it stay dry.

Aloe perfoliata

Mitra Aloe

A succulent shrub from the arid Cape and Namibian regions, storing water in its fleshy leaves and rotting quickly if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest spot you have, ideally some direct sun. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot.

Aloe thraskii

Dune Aloe

Aloe thraskii is a tree-forming succulent from the coastal dunes of South Africa's Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, storing water in thick leaves and wanting bright, direct sun and gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out completely before watering again — wait until the mix is dry well below the surface and the lower leaves show no plumpness loss. It rots quickly if left sitting wet, so err toward drought.