crocodile plant succulent Shop 'Crocodile Plant - Aloe brevifolia' Care and Growing Guide
SKU: 6875688693
crocodile plant succulent

crocodile plant succulent Shop 'Crocodile Plant - Aloe brevifolia' Care and Growing Guide

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Description

crocodile plant succulent Shop 'Crocodile Plant - Aloe brevifolia' Care and Growing GuideThe 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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T
theman
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable, easy to assemble, but no adjustable armrests
Color: Dark, Color: Dark
The Marsail Executive Office Chair Ergonomic Desk Chair with Flip-up Armrests PU Leather was an easy to assemble chair; I was done within 15 minutes with the included tool. Extra screws were included which was nice as the main pack had broken open and I couldn't find one of the primary screws in the larger box (my guess is I probably tossed it on accident with the packaging material) but had the backup so all was well. The instructions were well written and clear. I've now had the chair in my office for over a week. For context; I work from home and also am a PC gamer so I spend a sizeable portion of my time at my desk in the chair. I also live in the southeast US and its April when I am writing this review. With that said; its been in the 70s/80s regularly so feel like I can comment fairly on its performance in warmer temps; though I'll have to try and remember to comeback and update it for the summer season when AC is on full blast and humidity is higher (and the inevitable "swamp butt" sets in). In the first week I've found the chair to be comfortable to sit in. It is wide enough and the arm rests to the side enough that I can sort of lean left and right without much trouble. I like this wider seat and armrests compared to chairs with more narrow span as I tend to shift and move a lot while sitting. The PU leather material feels nice against my clothes and does "grip" the clothing which helps with my tendency to want to slide forward when sitting. At first I thought the "grip" would be annoying but I sort of like it after a week of using the chair. The cushion material is comfortable for sitting and rebounds well after I've been sitting in it for a long period of time. The armrests feature the same sort of cushion and PU leather material which makes them comfortable to sit back and lean on. For the price I think this is a solid office chair and a comfortable option. Longevity will only be tested over time so I'll see if I can remember to update this review over time. I am happy with the chair in my office. A few downsides about the chair that I have: - The wheels are very stiff and don't roll as smoothly as I'd like. They stay put when I am sitting at the desk but when I need to push away they take a bit of force. - The arm rests can't be adjusted for height. They are one height and can only be moved out of the way completely. For someone like who likes to lean or shift sides this is less than ideal as I'd normally make adjustments to the armrests. With that said it is nice to be able to move them out of the way completely when I don't need them. - Lumbar support could be better. I will be using additional support in the chair for my back.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2026
S
Sal
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Good for sitting on it daily. Not that soft as expected
Color: Dark, Color: Dark
I’ve been using this chair for a few days now and overall it’s pretty solid for a home office setup, especially for the price range. Assembly took me about 30–40 minutes alone and all the parts were labeled clearly. Nothing arrived damaged and the instructions were easy to follow, though attaching the backrest was a little awkward with one person. Once assembled, the chair looks clean and professional. The PU leather feels smooth and the cushioning is definitely thicker than cheaper office chairs I’ve tried. It’s comfortable for working several hours at a time, although I wouldn’t describe it as super plush or “sink-in” soft. The seat has a firmer feel, which may actually be better for posture during long work sessions. The ergonomic support is decent. The backrest follows the shape of your back fairly well and gives noticeable lumbar support compared to flat office chairs. I spend a lot of time at my desk and this chair helped reduce some lower back discomfort. The reclining and rocking feature is also nice for quick breaks between meetings or while watching videos. It doesn’t recline extremely far, but enough to relax a bit without feeling unstable. One feature I ended up liking more than expected was the flip-up armrests. They make it easy to slide the chair completely under the desk and also give more room if you like sitting cross-legged occasionally. The chair rolls smoothly and feels stable even when leaning back. A couple downsides though. The faux leather can get warm after extended sitting, especially in a warmer room. The mesh section helps airflow a little, but not enough to fully prevent heat buildup. Also, while the chair is comfortable, it doesn’t quite feel “premium executive” level in terms of materials. Some of the plastic components and armrests feel more mid-range than luxury. Overall, I’d say it’s a good value office chair with solid comfort, decent back support, and practical features. Great for everyday work or study use, just keep expectations realistic if you’re looking for a super high-end executive chair feel.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
R
Rose Petal
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable chair constructed with good quality materials
Color: Dark, Color: Dark
Having purchased several chairs from Amazon over the years, I would rank the Marsail Executive Office Chair Ergonomic Desk Chair as one of the better quality options I've received. Here is a breakdown of my experience: Build Quality & Aesthetics I was immediately impressed by the quality of the base. It is crafted from brushed metal and has a substantial, premium feel that sets it apart from cheaper plastic alternatives. Additionally, the pneumatic height adjuster was easy to install and operates very smoothly. Comfort & Ergonomics -- Padding: The padding is not quite as thick as I expected, but it has proven to be very comfortable to sit in so far. Sometimes I am in the chair as much as 10 hours per day, and the foam in the seat holds it's form all day. -- Support: The chair does not include built-in lumbar support, so I am using a lumbar pillow. However, I actually find this preferable; it allows me to adjust the pillow to my exact needs or remove it entirely depending on how I'm feeling. -- Head support and tilt: I like to work in an upright position, but I sometimes i like to lean back for a rest. The chair leans back just enough to allow me to rest my head, but not so much that I feel like it will tip over. The head support is subtle too - it doesn't hurt my neck or force me to rest in an awkward position. Functionality -- The mobility of this chair is excellent. The wheels are high-quality and roll very smoothly on my hardwood floors, which is often a pain point with other office furniture. Final Verdict Despite the thinner padding and lack of integrated lumbar support, the superior materials and smooth mechanics make this a decent value for the money. It’s a sturdy, well-made piece of furniture.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026
B
Birdie, Las Vegas, Nv.
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 4
Good quality office chair with movable arms
Color: Dark, Color: Dark
This chair was relatively easy to put together. After unboxing and laying out all of the parts, my husband and I built it in 22 minutes. We noticed how the instructions have you put the tilt mechanism bracket on after putting the back and arms on. Another chair we built was the opposite, which made attaching it to the base actually easier. That way just made more sense. This way, you put the back and seat together using the arms, then you attach the tilt mechanism to the bottom of the seat, but the seat is at an angle when you do this. Then you lift the whole chair and place it down onto the legs. I'm glad there were two of us to do that part. We also noticed one of the holes for screwing in the arm bracket was not lined in metal like the rest of them were. It still worked, though. It does rock a bit back and forth. The height adjusting rod also locks the chair in place for when you don't want the chair to lean back. There is a knob underneath that allows you to loosen or tighten how much it moves when you lean back or rock. The material is faux leather. It looks like real leather and feels pretty good. This makes it easy to clean. The arms can be raised level with the back of the chair to make it easy to slide out of the side of the chair. Overall this chair has a pretty classic look to it and is comfortable to sit in. It even has some lumbar support. The way the back of the chair and the seat of the chair connect together leaves a little bit of a gap. Nothing major, but you could lose coins or keys through the gaps between the cushions. If you have a cat, this would be a great way for them to poke their paws through and say hello.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
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Verified Purchase
DBlvd
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
EXCELLENT choice for the money!!!
Color: White, Number of Items: 1
I have never written a chair review, however; I feel this product warrants it. I got this chair to replace an old chair in my studio. I scoured Amazon for hours to find it, and I am glad that I took the time to do so! I was worried about material quality and durability at this price point, but my expectations were FAR exceeded. The piece goes together with a quickness (for me, under 10 minutes), and I only glanced at the instructions once. Suffice to say, setup is simple and intuitive. Once the chair is together, there is a slight amount of play where the base plate attaches to the shaft, however it isn't a ridiculous amount. I only noticed as I was examining it and being critical after my initial excitement. The materials used are very good, and much better than you would likely get from other chairs at this price. The chrome finish is nice, and the chair PU is uniform color with no defects. One really nice feature are the zippered arm rest covers; when they get dirty, which (being white) they eventually will, you can unzip them, lay them flat, and clean them laid out, as opposed to struggling to scrub around 90 degree angles. I am sure this was easier for the manufacturer, but the end result helps the end user as well. Good on them for that. Another thing I am very happy with is the height; I am 6'4" in bare feet, and my wife is 5'0". We both fit comfortably after adjusting. They definitely got the seat height right. And to that point (of size), at my height, and 260 pounds, there is plenty of room at the sides. Mind you, however, I am fit. That is not to say that a 5'10" guy that is 260 will find it comfortable. He may not. That said, most people should fit in this without an issue. The casters had a positive snapping-in, and roll over my low carpet easily. This chair is definitely well built, save for the slight play mentioned earlier. In no way does that detract from it at all. The aesthetic fits my studio perfectly, and in all, I would not hesitate to recommend this chair. If I have any issues with it, I will post an update review, but so far so good. I really love it. If you like the way it looks, pull the trigger. It is definitely worth the price, and more.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021

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