Your pups are quilling. This is a common problem with many broms, particularly when the cups get too dry, but in other cases the tendency to do this can be genetic. The best thing to do is to gently wiggle the leaves back and forth as soon as you see it starting to do that. You may have to repeat this several times as it grows out, or shoot some water (again, gently) between the leaves. If the base of the leaf is completely wrapped around itself you may have to slide something down there to pry it open, but too much force will snap the leaves, as they tend to be brittle when they're doing this.

Dear Tamara, It was false pride displayed and false slight was felt - it just gives some bad information in it (the use of sand), which strikes me as strange as having that information 10 years back, when we Aloe aficionados knew even then of its deleterious effects as a recommended ingredient for a generic Aloe soil mix, one that had to be simple to acquire the parts for and make. Whether you know that I wrote most of it, or don't, is of little matter. I'm happy to update it, but it's got some information wrong that would likely be deleterious to Aloe growing. I approve the adds of the bells and whistles (you got to put the butts in the seats), but the sand suggestion leads me to believe that we Aloe were folk not involved. I could, of course, not be remembering correctly and have written the blasphemous words myself. I of course, as contributor to the first Aloe FAQ, feel a nurturing sense to correct and polish our current version so that it's unequivocal, as written and used, that even an Aloe at the precipice of death can likely be brought back, provided you use a sandless recipe that the community is happy to provide IVillage again, in an effort to make the Aloe FAQ is usable to one and all, particularly those with Aloe vera (the real one, but mainly the non-real ones).

What kind of Aloe plant do you have? Are your plants going to be indoors or out? The pot size is less relevant if you are using a good gritty mix that drains quickly and well. A potting mixture that stays wet or damp is what will damage your plant. My Aloes have liked a pot that is wider rather than deep. Why do I keep hearing that Aloe plants like to be pot bound? It doesn't make sense to me. I don't like shoes that are too small. This Aloe x spinosissima was root bound after a year in a 4-inch pot. And after having room to spread it's roots - This is an Aloe vera pup in a 6 inch azalea pot. As it grew, I had to repot. And now it resides at the side of my house. Obviously, I have the luxury of planting my succulents in the ground and not having to bring them in during the winter. Not everyone can do so. For your immediate needs - use a very gritty mix so you can water deeply and well, but it will drain and dry out quickly. You do not want your plant to sit in moisture. Give it plenty of light, outdoor sunlight if possible. I generally start all my pups in a 4 inch pot. But that can change depending on the root system and the plant. Good luck!

Is your plant an Aloe vera, or another Aloe plant? Either way, you should let the pups get to a good size before removing them. Recommendations for size will vary, but larger pups seem to fare better. This is an Aloe vera that is 2 feet tall and surrounded by pups. I just removed and shared the pups with neighbors. Some were 18 inches tall, but most were 10-12 inches tall. Now that's not to say the small pups won't make it. It just takes them a lot longer. This guy is in a 3 inch pot. He fell off during a repot and is probably 6-8 months old in this picture. I should mention that all of my plants are outside all year long, so I know that makes a difference in growth. Also, I grow my plants in a gritty mix like you see in the second picture. And as mentioned above, some Aloes look better in a clump - A. 'Crosby's Prolific'