I bought this plant at one of the Big Box stores a while ago. To give you an idea of the scale, the leaves are about the width of my hand and very thick. I assumed it was some kind of Aloe, but I can't find any Aloe described as such. It is very fleshy and succulent. The leaves break easily , and don't have the fibrous texture you would associate with Agave.
Any ideas?
I love it, by the way. Never saw another one or I would have bought more.

There are hundreds of species of Aloe, and I'm not sure what I've never seen an untoothed on. This one is not toothed and that makes me think it's not an aloe vera. Perhaps a Haworthia?

Will start investigating that now, thanks Dave!

OK that is beginning to seem more likely.
Of course there are also hundreds of species of Haworthia so I will probably be looking for a while..... but that's what I do....

Do they get that big? The ones I am looking at (and some others that I have) are all really small, this plant is very big, about 24 inches across.

Hetty, my first thought was Agave of some sort but it might be Aloe striata which I've heard is spineless. I hate to give a link to that other site but read Palmbob's comments:

http://www.google.com/search?q...

It appears it very well may be A. striata which has pinkish leaf margins as it appears your plant may have? I can't exactly tell from the picture.

I think you have got it!! This is what I have found, and yes, the margins are red, and it has no teeth. Acorns to both of you!!
Aloe striata, native to Africa, forms large, nearly stemless rosettes with broad leaves to 2' in length. Leaves are fleshy, to 6" in width, glaucous light green and have no marginal teeth. The flat surface of the leaves is lineate, or banded lengthwise with thin stripes of deeper green color. The leaf margins are slightly hardened and pink. Candelabras of beautiful coral tubular flowers provide excellent contrast to color of rosette, as well as being very appealing to hummingbirds. Excellent for rock gardens, patios or as landscape borders.

Well, Lin rang in first, but thank you. It's a beautiful plant! Lucky you to have it! Luv aloes, but they are not hardy here so I don't have many anymore compared to what I had in CA. Do you have quite a few?

Do keep an eye out for Aloe mites. Some aloes are more prone to them than others. You may already know this.

I don't think there is a forum for soft succulents yet?


Neither one of these is a very good picture of little A. 'Christmas Carol'. One of my faves.

Hetty: Thank you for the Acorn ... so sweet of you! Your plant is really pretty and I think I read that in the cooler temp's of winter it's supposed to get rose colored edges. But, alas ... you live in SW Florida so you may not see much color change.

No it actually has pink edges on the leaves already.I haven't yet seen it bloom!
Tee, they say mites are more a problem in dry conditions and we don't generally have those.
I love the little Christmas Carol!!

No, you probably wouldn't have the mites unless you have them indoors.

Please post another picture when yours blooms.

Tee: That Aloe is absolutely adorable! I've never seen a tiny one like that, and in bloom no less ... great growing!

Thanks, Lin. That's its mature size, more or less, but it will spread. Cold hardy to about 25º so I can leave it outside longer than most of my other tender succulents. It has much to recommend it.

@SongofJoy, I love your little aloe too. Is there a reason it is called Christmas Carol

lauriebasler said:@SongofJoy, Is there a reason it is called Christmas Carol

Laurie, the name was given to the plant by whoever hybridized and created that particular cultivar: Aloe 'Christmas Carol' and what a great name for such a pretty Aloe. I love the pinkish-red margins!