When it comes to aloes, you don’t have to settle for ordinary, hum-drum plants. There are a number of exciting newer varieties that are available at garden centers and nurseries. Here are details on just a few of those.


Christmas Carol aloe

Initially introduced in 2010, this beauty is now more widely available. This is shaped like a classic aloe with the leaves forming neat layers. It offers much more color than the common aloe used for medicinal purposes.

Christmas Carol is named for the red and green that appears on the leaves. The bright red shows up as wide stripes running along the edges of the notched leaves. There are also red spots on the bright green leaves.

This miniature plant is only about six inches in height with a slightly smaller spread. It is very suitable for growing indoors. This would also be suitable as an outdoor container plant during the growing season. Christmas Carol is hardy to zone eight.


Aloe Sunset

Hardy to zone eight, this is highly recommended as a houseplant. It is also suitable for outdoor gardens as well if you live in a warm climate with mild winters. Sunset reaches about a foot in height with a slightly smaller spread. It forms a neat rosette of sword shaped leaves. This variety is named for the striking red color along the edges of the leaves. The vivid red is offset beautifully by the deep green background color of the foliage.


Aloe Minibelle

This compact hybrid is suitable for indoor gardens as well as for outdoors. It would be very appropriate for outdoor container gardens as well as for rock gardens.

Minibelle is hardy to zone nine. It can reach 1½ feet in height at maturity. This has a very compact growing habit, and is less than a foot wide.

The light green foliage is sword shaped with green bristles all along the margins. The tips are often flushed with reddish tinges. This variety blooms during the summer, and has lovely reddish flowers. These blooms are favored by hummingbirds in particular.