The classic. Forgiving, fast-growing, and the one we recommend to anyone scared of plants.

A pocket-sized aloe with white speckles. Stays small enough for a desk corner forever.

The unicorn of aloes. Grows in a perfect five-point spiral — but needs cool nights to settle.

Indestructible. Survives low light, dry air, and forgetful owners. A great first plant.

Will trail off any shelf and tell you when it’s thirsty (the leaves droop, then perk back up).

Wants a moss pole, hates direct sun. The fenestrations show up around 2 years old.

Beautiful and dramatic. Keep it in one spot, water on a schedule, and don’t fuss with it.

The office plant. Glossy leaves, tolerates fluorescents, basically asks for nothing.

Pastel rosettes. Wants more sun than people think — give it a south window.

Like a tiny aloe with translucent windows on its leaves. Perfect for low light.

Trailing pearls. Hates wet feet — water from below if you can, and use a fast-draining mix.

Lives for decades. Some of ours were started from cuttings of grandma plants from the 1980s.