SKU: 77945498265
small aloe vera succulent

small aloe vera succulent Crocodile Plant 'Aloe brevifolia' 5 Gal

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Description

small aloe vera succulent Crocodile Plant 'Aloe brevifolia' 5 GalThe Crocodile Plant, also known as Aloe brevifolia, is a vibrant member of the Aloe genus! With teeth like spikes on the outside of the leaf, it looks like the open mouth of a crocodile, hence the name and also known as short leaved aloe. The crocodile plant grows in clumps up to 12 inches tall and wide in its natural habitat and is suitable for both indoor rock gardens and outdoor rock gardens in temperate climates. Hailing from South Africa, it can

The Crocodile Plant, also known as Aloe brevifolia, is a vibrant member of the Aloe genus! With teeth-like spikes on the outside of the leaf, it looks like the open mouth of a crocodile, hence the name and also known as short-leaved aloe. 

The crocodile plant grows in clumps up to 12 inches tall and wide in its natural habitat and is suitable for both indoor rock gardens and outdoor rock gardens in temperate climates. Hailing from South Africa, it can thrive well in rock gardens, pots, and xeriscaping - making it an ideal small-scale groundcover too!


The blue-green leaves of the Aloe brevifolia crocodile plant have raised white spots that resemble thorns on the top and bottom, as well as soft white thorns on the leaf margins.

The leaves sometimes acquire a lovely pinkish hue in cooler weather.

In full sun, the tips turn to shades of red, yellow and orange, creating a spectacular display when exposed to bright light. It is important to gradually acclimate Aloe brevifolia to full sun to prevent sunburn and ensure its health.

When it comes to flowering, the Aloe brevifolia blooms with its tall, red-pink flowers in late winter or early spring. This beautiful aloe plant attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. Standing at less than a foot tall but with big personality traits such as thick triangular leaves colored glaucous green, yellow, blue, and gray - there's no denying that the Crocodile Plant makes for an exciting addition to any garden or container display! 

While it is often confused with Aloe vera, which is a very similar plant, Aloe brevifolia is primarily grown for its ornamental value and is not known to have any edible or medicinal properties. This plant can be propagated by removing offsets from the parent plant or by developing bare root cuttings.  

When and How to Water Your Crocodile Plant 

The leaves of this adorable succulent are full of water, so they do not require frequent, deep watering either. "Soak and dry " is the best approach in gardening in this case. 

In the early fall and spring, during the growing season, it is recommended to water once every two weeks or so. In the winter and summer, when the plant is dormant, you can reduce watering to once a month. Be sure to use well-draining soil, and avoid getting water on the leaves or stem, as this can lead beautiful plants to rot. 

Keep an eye out for mushy, yellowing leaves, which are a sign of severe overwatering. If this occurs, repot your Aloe brevifolia crocodile plant in dry soil and avoid frequent watering of it. Whenever you touch the soil, if it feels like a desert with no sign of moisture in the soil, or if those cute little leaves start to turn yellow, look wrinkled, or shriveled up - that's when you know your crocodile plants are thirsty! 

If the plant needs water, give it some love by pouring water gently over the pots and around them until it drips off from the holes at the bottom of the pot.  With just a bit of attention paid to these little details, soon enough, your Aloe brevifolia plants will be thriving like never before. 

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Crocodile Plant

When grown indoors, this plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Placing it near a south or west-facing window is ideal, as it can absorb the light it needs without being scorched by direct sun rays. While Aloe brevifolia can tolerate some direct sunlight, especially in the morning, too much harsh light can lead to leaf burn. It's also important to rotate the plant occasionally to ensure even growth, as it will naturally lean toward the light source.

For outdoor cultivation, the Aloe brevifolia needs a lot of sunlight to reach its full potential. You should expose the pot of this crocodile plant to direct sunlight every day for up to 4 hours.

When exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves of this crocodile aloe plant change from their initial Blue-Green color to shades of red, Orange, and Pink. This is a natural response to the sun's UV rays and is a sign that the crocodile plant produces more pigments to protect itself from the direct sun. In some cases, the leaves may also turn a yellowish color if they are not receiving enough light. On the other hand, if the leaves are thin and stretched out, it is also an indication that the plant is not receiving enough light. 

However, if the leaves are turning brown or black, this may be a sign of sunburn or over-watering the plant, which can be harmful to the plant. 

Optimal soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Use well-drained soil that is designed specifically for your Aloe brevifoia succulent. These specialty soil mixes have been precisely developed to imitate well-draining desert soils. That's why we at Planet Desert have got your back with our specialized succulent potting mix. This organic substrate has mycorrhizae which helps grow a healthy root system that makes all those spiky stems stand up tall and proud.  If you don't mind getting a bit of dirt on your hands and are okay with a basic gardening soil for your succulent, then you can save some money and make your own dry clay soil mix by simply combining healthy natural garden soil with equal parts of sand or perlite. 

And let's not forget about fertilizing! A small amount of fertilizer with an equal mixture of NPK (5-10-5) once a year in spring will do wonders for the roots and your plant's health and growth. Don't fertilize in the summer or winter. So, skip those harsh chemicals and give the roots of lace aloe and your succulent some love with some awesome organic fertilizer! Remember, avoid overfertilizing your aloe plants; it may cause fungal diseases and develop root rot. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

If grown indoors, this succulent thrives in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75°F. It is important to keep the plant away from cold drafts, such as those from air conditioning or open windows during winter months, as temperatures below 50°F can stress the plant and lead to damage. Additionally, Aloe brevifolia does not require high humidity levels; it prefers a drier environment, which is typically found indoors.

For outdoor cultivation, the crocodile plant is an outdoor tropical succulent that can be grown in USDA zones 8 and 11. This means that it can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. In these zones, the plant can thrive year-round, provided it is planted in well-draining soil and receives adequate sunlight. While it can endure short periods of cooler temperatures, prolonged exposure to frost can be detrimental to its health.

In cooler zones, it can be kept outdoors during the summer and brought in as the temperature drops. It doesn't like humidity because it is adapted to a dry, hot climate. 

Wildlife - Crocodile Plant Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

The Crocodile Plant’s flowers, though rare, can still play a role in attracting pollinators when they do appear. The blooms are small and white, and emit a pleasant fragrance, especially during the evening hours. This sweet aroma serves as a natural lure for nocturnal pollinators such as moths and certain species of bats, which are drawn to the scent as they search for nectar. 

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

Toxicity: The Crocodile Plant is considered mildly toxic to both humans and pets. It contains saponins, natural chemicals that can cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested by cats, dogs, or small children. While the plant is not highly dangerous, it's best to keep it out of reach of curious pets and young kids. Contact with the plant's sap is generally harmless, but it’s advisable to wash your hands after handling it to avoid any potential skin irritation.

How to Propagate Your Crocodile Plant

To propagate your Crocodile Plant (Aloe brevifolia), start by gently removing an offset or "pup" from the base of a mature plant. Allow the pup to dry for a few days, forming a callus over the cut surface, which helps prevent rot when planted. Once the pup is callused, plant it in well-draining soil, such as a cactus or succulent mix. Water sparingly until roots establish, usually within a few weeks. The Crocodile Plant is best propagated during spring or summer when growth is active, ensuring quicker establishment and a healthier start.

Key Takeaways

  1. The vibrant orange-red flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support local wildlife.
  2. Aloe brevifolia is highly drought-tolerant, making it suitable for arid climates or low-water gardens. It can thrive with minimal watering, reducing maintenance efforts.
  3. With its compact, rosette form, this aloe variety is perfect for container gardening or smaller spaces, fitting easily into tight areas without overwhelming other plants.
  4. It requires minimal care, thriving even in low light and without regular fertilizing, making it a perfect choice for beginners.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Crocodile Plant (Aloe brevifolia) is a unique succulent that is characterized by its distinctive crocodile skin-like texture and vibrant green color. With its low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in various conditions, this plant is a great addition to any indoor or outdoor garden. Its compact size and drought tolerance make it perfect for both beginner and experienced gardeners. While its flowers attract beneficial pollinators, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem, care should be taken to keep it out of reach of pets due to its mild toxicity. With proper placement, well-draining soil, and occasional watering, this aloe species will thrive and bring a touch of nature's resilience to your plant collection.

Be sure to add the Aloe brevifolia crocodile plant to your collection today and elevate the beauty of your home or garden with this stunning and healthy-looking plant. 

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Anthony
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Yup. It's MCT (AFAIK), and its affordable!
Size: 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Great stuff. Great price. Great bottle! Packaged well, and the bottle design is flawless. It comes with two caps, one traditional cap style, and one hinged with a functional pour spout that prevents getting oil ALL over the bottle and ultimately EVERYTHING else like some other brands I've used in the past. Can't beat the price. Unfortunately, I cannot give a qualitative review as to the quality, as my testing capabilities are limited and any attempt to do so would be highly speculative. However, there is nothing obviously different (good/bad) about this verses competitor products. I will be purchasing regularly! :) ---------Opinion/Observation on overall performance balance for the constrained budget. -------- I think that the largest gain/loss is going to be your overall dietary consumption of quality fats, and reduction in carbs consumed and removal of sugars . E.g, it doesn't matter if your consuming an "metabolically optimized C8 isolated MCT oil" in the morning if you loading up on low quality fats in the afternoon, or if your other ducks are out of line (read: sleep, exercise and greater diet). Your better off spending less on your MCT, and more on your other needs to optimize your equation. In my personal case, I find being able to liberally use a cheap MCT (Viva) in larger quantities dynamically as needed throughout the day to keep myself energized and focused on the task at hand is a much better solution for efficiency than having to "ration" out a C8 isolate. Though I probably spend just as much if not more by using it this way, by being able to consume at a higher quantity, overall performance is greater in this case. Additionally, when consuming with other foods and metabolic efficiency and flavour is not as paramount (or when coconut would taste good), I'll opt for a quality coconut oil, as its also marginally cheaper per ounce. (about 13-15$/32oz compared to 18-20$/32oz for MCT). I have used HealthWorks Coconut oil in the past, and it was absolutely delicious. I recently got Kirkland (as on inspection it seemed to have the same qualities) for pennies on the dollar; but it tastes burnt, so I'm not sure if it was a batch issue, warehouse storage, or simply there processing methods but its defiantly not up to par in a taste test. I'll most likely try Viva in the future, as I've been impressed with them so far. Takeaway: Great product if you like to use a lot of MCT! Just make sure your micros (vitamins and minerals) are in check if you exceed the 50% fat macro level. :)
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
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David Burt
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
flavor, healthy
Size: 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Ok, this oil is perfect I've used it in baking and raw desserts, coffee, and shakes It last a long time and fid not go bad I would reccomend
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2026
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Kieran McCarty
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Takes the best from coconut oil, leaves the rest
Size: 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Regular coconut oil is recommended on paleo and keto diets, but it has a strong flavor and its solidity at room temperature means you can’t really use it on cold foods. This MCT oil derived from organic coconuts is a great solution for salad dressings, smoothies, and bulletproof coffee (even iced coffee!) that is vegan (instead of with butter) and more efficient at giving you energy than with coconut oil. Viva MCT Oil contains mostly Caprylic and Capric Acids, two of the three MCTs that are more efficiently converted to energy (the other one, Caproic Acid, is sort of unpleasant tasting, so they don’t include it in this mix) and very little Lauric Acid, which is a somewhat longer chain that takes longer to break down — some say it shouldn’t even be considered an MCT. Plain Coconut oil is about 75% Lauric Acid, so this oil is much more efficient in conversion to ketones for energy. It basically takes the best things in coconut oil and leaves the stuff that is less useful for ketosis. And unlike some MCT oils, Viva’s is derived only from (organic, non-GMO) Coconut oil, not Palm oil, so you don’t have to worry about contributing to deforestation in Indonesia and destruction of orangutan and tiger habitat. Although coconuts also can adversely affect ecosystems to some extent because birds don’t nest in them, thereby depriving the surrounding soil of the resupplied nutrients in bird guano, the trees take longer to grow than oil palms, so it’s less worth it to tear down forest to plant them, and there are industry consortiums dedicated to making coconut farms sustainable and eco sensitive. Although I like the flavor of coconut, there are some things I don’t want it in. For all of those, there’s Viva MCT Oil. I have asked the company if it would affect the effectiveness if I used it to cook with, there’s nothing on the package that indicates one way or the other. I’ll update this review when I get an answer.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2019
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Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Purchase or perish.
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
I don't think Mike can produce anything below 5 stars. In his recent Christmas episode on the Naked Bible Podcast I was a bit wary of listening to it. I realize this is a review of his book here, but let me make my point. The problem with not wanting to listen to his Christmas episode is that I don't really care if Christmas was/is a pagan holiday. So, honestly, it wasn't appealing to me. Somehow I ended up listening to it, and I'm telling you the amount of information he crammed in there was FASCINATING. I'm not kidding. I was so tired of hearing that subject (because I've been born and raised into Christianity), but Mike and Trey did their thing and it had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat the entire time. If you listen to that episode (Naked Bible Episode 195) you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. And what's the point of all that I just said? It's that Mike doesn't do anything half way. All that he puts out is serious work that is worthy of much consideration. No Hillary v. Trump fact checking here (though I'm sure he'd encourage you to research what he's saying). The point is, however, that not everyone has the training that he or his contemporaries have. And THAT is exactly why it is paramount that we rely upon scholars who have said extensive training. I challenge you with this (something I've challenged myself to accept): You essentially know nothing about the Bible if you don't have not just Heiser's background, but other scholars such as John H. Walton. There are many to list, but Walton would be a good companion to list next to Heiser. If you're the lay-person, do yourself a favor and pick up this work, or The Unseen Realm (or both!) and any of Walton's work. Open up your mind and challenge yourself to realize that unless you are incredibly familiar with the Ancient Near East's way of life and thought processes, then it's highly likely that you don't actually understand what is going on when you read the Bible. Enter "The Bible Unfiltered." Considerations for the seminary student: This is a great book for those who need a quick reference on a particular subject. Heiser's name is well known, and thus to reference this book in one's papers, even for a one-liner, is to reference legitimate scholarship. I'm not advocating that one does one's entire paper off of just one chapter from this book, but my point is more-so that with Heiser's reputation it will be known that you're not quoting Joe Scholar who earned his PhD in I Do What I Want. If you know Mike then you know that he's done a lot of work to present to you CONTEXTUAL research on any given listed topic. For that alone the price is worth it (though it undoubtedly cost him more to do the research that it does for us to purchase the book). Considerations for the lay-person: 1. On p. 7, Heiser says, "If Bible study doesn't seem like work to you, you aren't really doing it." Yes, that's harsh, but so was Phinehas, Peter, Paul, and Jesus. (Even Bonhoeffer was harsh in his "The Cost of Discipleship")! Over and over again Heiser says on his podcast that Bible reading is not actually Bible STUDY (not yelling, I just don't have italics in this comment box). 2. This book is great for having a quick reference for subjects. You do not have to read the book in order to understand the content of any given chapter. I use this book to help direct me to other scriptures that I can't seem to remember. Here, Heiser treats topics with brevity, yet with depth at the same time--depth that stems from years of immersing hisself in the original cultural context, the surrounding culture's contexts, and original languages of the Bible. In other words, this book will act, for the lay person, as an appetizer that gets you excited for the full meal and subsequently spark a desire within you to finally take seriously contextual Bible study. If you've never read Heiser's stuff before, this is a great place for you to get introduced to his work. From here I'd recommend getting The Unseen Realm, and then Reversing Hermon. Follow all his other works at drmsh.com, nakedbiblepodcast.com, and moreunseenrealm.com (I'm not getting paid to say all of this). Considerations for the scholar: Rid yourself of your presuppositions, get with the times, and adopt the supernatural worldview of the Bible's authors, because yours isn't supernatural enough. (Can that be considered speaking the truth in love?...) (Pictures won't rotate for some reason. Sorry!). My hand on the book next to the Schuyler Bible shows the size of the book.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2018
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Pastor Jamie Strickler
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent Resource
Format: Paperback
Heiser is always top notch!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026

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