The first is Aloe vera v. chinensis. (blooms orange) The 2nd (although that looks like more spots than usual) which is much larger, thicker leaves & yellow blooms, is Aloe vera/barbadensis. I believe it has been reclassified with the latter name, but most people are still calling it by the former (vera), so one or the other is listed as a synonym. See link below for a pic of an Aloe vera/barbadensis ~Rosemarie, who hangs out on the C&S forum, but pops over here on occasion =) Here is a link that might be useful:

Certainly not here to dispute the name of the Lowes plant. I bought a couple of the same plants, chuckling to myself that ALL of the aloes were labeled Aloe vera. Mine are PIG, growing well and curiously have lost their spots. You can see some of the spots remain on the bottom, oldest leaves. So I'm pondering the label again. Of course it hasn't flowered yet (about 3 years old), which will add to the info. I guess I wonder if Aloe vera pups start with spots. I have no pups to compare. My plant does not look like the OP's first plants. This post was edited by Crenda on Thu, Aug 7, 14 at 10:23

Hi & Yes, You can save them, you can leave them out another day or 2. Then Pot them up DRY in the smallest clay pot you can find & then don't water for at least a week. I'd suggest some cactus & succulent mix & 30-50% extra perlite. They should grow roots from the bottom under the mix as if they were little pups, at least that's what I'd expect.

Some people say to let the cutting sit out a few days to get crusted over first. I've done it by waiting and not waiting. The theory of why you would want to wait is good so you can go with that if you don't want to take chances. Use a similar soil as what you're growing in, if it's from a pot. I've also had success with sticking it in the garden and it grows from there.