Aloe arborescens and aloe vera are often sold side by side, and young plants look similar. Both are succulents in the Asphodelaceae family with toothed, fleshy leaves. They grow into very different plants, though. Aloe vera stays a low rosette that suits a windowsill pot. Aloe arborescens, the krantz or candelabra aloe, branches into a shrub that can reach head height in a frost-free garden.
The differences that matter are size, growth habit, cold tolerance and what each is used for.
How to tell them apart
Aloe arborescens. SANBI’s PlantZAfrica profile describes a multi-headed shrub with grey-green leaves in rosettes. The leaf margins are armed with conspicuous pale teeth. Chicago Botanic Garden describes multiple stems carrying many blue-green rosettes, with soft teeth along the leaf edges. The rosettes sit at the tips of the branches.
Aloe vera. NC State describes thick, pointed, succulent leaves in a basal rosette on a short, stout stem. The leaves carry a margin of small white teeth and can reach 45 cm (18 in) long. They are soft and break easily, revealing a gel-like sap. Aloe vera spreads by offsets at the base rather than by branching (NC State).
Quick rule. Rosettes perched on branching stems point to arborescens. A clump of stemless rosettes, with pups around the base, points to aloe vera. On a small nursery plant, check the label for the botanical name.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Aloe arborescens | Aloe vera |
|---|---|---|
| Common names | Krantz aloe, candelabra aloe (SANBI, Chicago Botanic) | Aloe; vera is Latin for true (NC State) |
| Native range | Eastern South Africa north to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi (SANBI) | Arabian Peninsula (NC State) |
| Growth habit | Multi-headed shrub on branching stems (SANBI) | Basal rosette on a short stem; spreads by offsets (NC State) |
| Size | 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) (SANBI); up to 3 m (10 ft) (Chicago Botanic) | 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) tall (NC State, UF/IFAS) |
| Leaves | Grey-green to blue-green; pale teeth (SANBI, Chicago Botanic) | Grey-green to blue-green; small white teeth (NC State) |
| Flowers | Deep orange, yellow or bicoloured spikes in winter (SANBI) | Orange to yellow spikes on plants at least three years old (NC State); rare indoors (UF/IFAS) |
| Growth rate | Fast (SANBI) | Medium (NC State) |
| Cold | Tolerates moderate frost; sensitive to severe frost (SANBI) | USDA zones 10–12 (NC State); outdoors year-round in zones 8–11 (UF/IFAS) |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings dried for a day, or seed (SANBI) | Division of offsets (NC State) |
| Pets | No ASPCA entry; treat as toxic | Toxic: saponins, anthraquinones (ASPCA) |
Size and growth habit
This is the biggest practical difference. SANBI says Aloe arborescens develops into a multi-headed shrub 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) high. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a height of 3 m (10 ft). SANBI notes that the name arborescens means tree-like, but that this is misleading. The plant is a large, branching shrub, and the name refers to its stem-forming habit.
Aloe vera stays small. NC State lists 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) tall and 30–75 cm (1–2.5 ft) wide, and UF/IFAS says it can reach about 60 cm (2 ft). UF/IFAS adds that pot size controls how large it gets. A small pot keeps it compact; a larger pot lets it grow.
SANBI calls arborescens fast-growing. In South African gardens it is used as a hedge, and historically as a living fence around livestock enclosures.
Light and watering
Both want sun and sharp drainage, and both rot if kept wet.
Aloe arborescens. SANBI says it enjoys full sun and well-drained, compost-enriched soil, and tolerates drought and neglect once established. It warns that overwatering cuttings may cause them to rot.
Aloe vera. NC State recommends full sun to partial shade, very well-drained soil and a pot with several drainage holes, ideally clay. It says to let the soil dry completely between waterings and to water less in winter. UF/IFAS says to water when the top 2.5 cm (1 in) of soil is dry, and never to let the plant sit in water.
When moving an indoor aloe vera outside, UF/IFAS advises doing it gradually, because the plant can sunburn when moved from low to bright light too quickly. See why aloe turns red or brown and aloe vera etiolation for light problems on each side.
Cold tolerance
SANBI says Aloe arborescens can tolerate moderate frost but is sensitive to severe frost. It grows from sea level to mountain tops in its native range.
Aloe vera is less cold tolerant. NC State lists it as hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12 and describes it mainly as a houseplant that can move outdoors for summer. UF/IFAS says it can be grown outdoors year-round in zones 8 to 11. The sources do not agree on the lower limit, so give a container aloe vera winter protection unless you are in a frost-free area.
None of these sources gives a specific minimum temperature for either plant. If frost is forecast, move pots under cover.
Uses, as the sources describe them
Aloe vera. NC State says the leaves contain a gel used in many commercial products, and that it has been used for centuries on cuts, sunburn and other skin problems. The NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) summarises the evidence. Topical aloe gel may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain. It is generally well tolerated on skin, with occasional burning, itching or rash. Taking aloe latex by mouth can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea. NCCIH also notes that the FDA required aloe latex to be removed from over-the-counter laxatives in 2002.
Aloe arborescens. SANBI describes traditional uses in South Africa, and says the plant is grown in parts of Asia as a first-aid plant for burns and abrasions. It also says the leaves have purgative properties. We found no NCCIH or similar health-agency review of arborescens, so its uses rest on traditional and laboratory reports, not clinical guidance.
Before using either plant on skin, test a small patch first, as NC State suggests for aloe vera. Do not eat either plant. Our aloe latex guide and gel harvesting guide explain how to separate gel from the yellow latex.
Toxicity to pets and people
The ASPCA lists aloe (Aloe vera) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. The toxic principles are saponins and anthraquinones. Signs include vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea. The ASPCA notes that the gel itself is considered edible.
NC State lists aloe vera as low severity for people, from anthraquinone glycosides. Eating it can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea and red urine, and the latex can irritate skin.
We found no ASPCA entry for Aloe arborescens. SANBI’s note that its leaves are purgative is one more reason to keep it out of reach. Treat it as you would aloe vera around pets. For safer choices, see our pet-safe plants guide.
Pests and problems
NC State lists mealybugs and aphids on aloe vera, along with scale, leaf spot, aloe rust and sooty mold. It warns that overwatering leads to root rot. SANBI’s profile does not list pests for arborescens; check both for mealybugs at the leaf bases. After repotting, see aloe vera repotting stress.
Which should you choose?
- Indoor windowsill or small pot: aloe vera.
- Frost-free garden with room for a large shrub, hedge or winter flowers: Aloe arborescens.
- A plant you can keep small by pot size: aloe vera (UF/IFAS).
- Garden with occasional light frost: Aloe arborescens, which SANBI says tolerates moderate frost.
- Pets that chew plants: neither within reach.
For general succulent care, including pots and soil, see our succulent care guide and terracotta vs plastic pots.
References
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, PlantZAfrica, A. Hankey and A. Notten: Aloe arborescens
- Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Finder: Aloe arborescens (candelabra aloe)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Aloe vera
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Aloe Vera
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH): Aloe Vera
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Aloe