Aloe brevifolia - Short-leaved Aloe

Highlights

Short-leaved Aloe (Aloe brevifolia): Compact, blue-green Aloe that develops into tight, mounding clusters of rosettes. The leaves are wedge-shaped and lined with gentle teeth. This low-grower forms tidy clumps and makes a great border species in frost-free climates. In 2002 it earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for appearance and vigor. It is a threatened species in its native South Africa due to habitat loss.

Soft succulents will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures they can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. They need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 50% to 70% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to fully dry before watering again.

Full Aloe Guide

Product Size

2.0" Pot

Current Primary Color

Blue / Blue-green

Bloom Color

Orange Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Filtered / Partial Sun

Maximum Height

3"-5"

Special Characteristic

Fast Grower

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+

10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

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Popular Questions

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3 years ago

will an alligator aloe survive 6-8 hours in hot temps at 100 plus degrees See answer

will an alligator aloe survive 6-8 hours in hot temps at 100 plus degrees See more »

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Hi there!

This plant should easily survive these temperatures. However, there are three things to note about growing it in the heat.

1) The plant goes dormant in the summer heat. Although it'll be fine, you won't see new growth on it while the temperatures are so hot. It will only break dormancy once it gets a little cooler.

2) Although this plant can easily survive a full sun environment, like it does everyday in the wilds of South Africa, our greenhouses are UV protected. The UV rays, that come from the sun, can sunburn plants (and people too!) that haven't adjusted. It's a good idea to give it only a few hours of sun to start and then work your way up to giving it 6+ hours. I doubt a sunburn will kill it, but it won't look as good if it gets sunburned… See full answer »

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3 years ago

The low indoor light varieties I'm looking at say to plant in a deep pot. How many inches is that? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

If the plant comes in a 2" pot, I'd plant in a pot that's, at least 3.5" deep. However, I wouldn't plant it in a pot that's deeper than 5" to start. Haworthia like their roots to be a little tight so be sure not to over pot it at first. See full answer »

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1 year ago

Can you recommend indoor lighting? Full spectrum, grow spectrum? Any preferred brand? See answer

Zone 4/5 here. My succulents live indoors in the winter and need supplementary light to avoid stretching. Would love to know what artificial lights you use/recommend. Full spectrum (white), grow spectrum (blue/purple), other? Do you have a preferred brand of lighting? How many hours extra are needed for soft, hard, other, succulents? See more »

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1 year ago  •  Staff Answer

Yes! You can find grow light specs and recommended types here on our Guide to Grow Lights for Succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/blog... See full answer »

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2 years ago

We keep our home at 65° year round. The indoor succulents seem to struggle indoors but outside gets too hot See answer

We live in north central Arkansas. It gets brutally humid and hot during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. I have all my succulents on my west facing porch because the backyard belongs to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Would getting a porch shade be a good idea for the summer in late afternoon? All my succulents get the mid afternoon sun and I know it's too much for some of them but bringing them inside our too cool temp home doesn't help either. Even when I put them in an East facing window they still don't seem to do so well because of the indoor temp. See more »

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2 years ago  •  Staff Answer

The only issue with porch shades is that they're frequently too shady. If you erected some kind of shade using shade cloth designed for plants, that could help. You wouldn't need it to be too shady, roughly 30%-40% would do the trick.

However, 65°F isn't too cold for many succulents. Especially once the radiant heat from direct sunlight in an south facing window is factored in, that you wouldn't feel in the air. The issue may have more to do with humidity than temperature. Looking at the relative humidity predictions for Stone County (just as an example) it's suppose to get over 70% in the near future! This makes watering more tricky as plants don't dry out nearly as quickly as they should and rot can set in as a result.

If your house is less humid than it is outdoors, then moving them inside may do them more good than shade cloth outside. In fact, shade cloth may only further prolong drying and exacerbate the problem. See full answer »

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3 years ago

Which type of succulents will grow best in an east facing window in an all white room? See answer

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3 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Your best bet are low light succulents. They'll get some morning sun but no more. Click the link below to see all our low light succulents.
Source: https://mountaincrestgardens.com/expl... See full answer »

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4 years ago

What kind of soil should I use with succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Shop Succulent Soil Here

Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.

IN POTS…

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4 years ago

When should I plant my succulents after they arrive? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.

Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.

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4 years ago

Do I need to fertilize succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.

Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength

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4 years ago

How to water succulents? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.

HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS

• Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
• Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
• Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…

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4 years ago

How much sun / light do succulents need? See answer

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4 years ago  •  Staff Answer

Different succulent varieties have different light needs. You can find the Recommended Light Conditions on each variety's page by scrolling down to the Product Details. We use four categories of recommended light, and some plants can thrive under a range of light conditions.

LOW INDOOR LIGHT

• Can grow indoors without direct sun.
• Placing outdoors in direct sun or on sunny window sills might cause dark burns.
• There are a limited number of succulent varieties that thrive in low light, notably Haworthia, Gasteria, Peperomia, and some Jade…

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