PlantFiles: Short Leaved Aloe
Aloe brevifolia

This plant has lived under a Mesquite tree in Arizona for many years and doesn't seem to mind. The heat and frosts haven't bothered it much at all. Flowers every spring!

Zone 9b Coastal Otago New Zealand

This is my favourite small aloe; it seems to be quite a variable species with every one I see being a little different to the next, so perhaps there is a lot of hybridization going on. Anyway, it's very undemanding and always looks lovely, given decent watering- a fat little glacier-green jewel, especially when contrasted against rocks or a nice earthy pot. Mine is about 2 years old and hasnt flowered or suckered yet.
Down here they will take a light frost, around the 0 degrees C mark, but I wouldn't subject them to a crispy one; I keep mine in a pot for removal to shelter. Other people say they're hardy and I dont disbelieve them, but Im just so fond of my one example that I wouldn't risk it.
Mine likes a lot of water over summer to gain maximum plumpy magnificence but I drop that back to just whenever I remember over winter, though I dont think it's crucial- this doesnt seem to be a terribly water-sensitive aloe.
I highly recommend these little beauties; mine almost has its own personality. I have seen other brevifolia examples which are not quite so attractive so perhaps be a bit choosy and hang out for a nice specimen.

I'd had sucess with this small aloe which is growing in a community pot of cacti and succulents.

This is the first year summer it's seen outside (and the first year I planted it in the community pot) and it really loved the hot and sunny weather. It also took the rainy periods fine too without becoming mushy and dying.

It'll spent the summer indoors in a south facing window.

This plant grows well in full sun in Southern California. It is easily rooted in potting soil with warmth.

Stemless rosettes 8 cm in diameter with several offshoots from base forming large clums;leaves 6 cm long and 2 cm wide at base with little white teeth.inflorecence 40 cm tall.

San Francisco Bay Area: I grow this plant in the ground and in a container. it is outside, unprotected all year and the temps at night in the winter can go as low as 30 degrees. It has thrived and grown easily with minimal care. Hummingbirds go crazy for the flowers.

Great groundcover aloe... has attractive blue-green color, warty appearance and can get nice and pink in the winter. Flowers for ME have come out in spring (March to April or around there)... guess it's a variable plant. Often used in crosses since it's so durable and prolific. Suckers very close to 'mother' plant, making tight, compact mounds of rosettes. One of the best pot aloes. South AFrican native.

A small, spreading succulent from South Africa.

Has triangular, pale green, sharp toothed leaves held in rossettes. Young leaves sometimes have a reddish tint. Bears bright red, typically Aloe flowers.

Flowers September-November

Likes a very well drained soil in full sun. It isn't hardy and will only survive a minimum temperature of 50F.