I agree that the plants need more light. Can you put them outside, at least during the summers? That would be best, but close to a south facing window would help. Do so gradually as Polypompholyx says. These plants can take more water than most succulents, so they might be a little thirsty, too.

I have my plants either in the ground or a pot of very gritty soil-perlite mix. They get all the summer rains, which can be a lot down here. But again, the mix drains quite well and the plants are not sitting in wet soil.

This is an 18 inch pot - not sure you can see the soil mix, but it is 50/50 perlite and cactus and succulent soil.

Mine are in plastic pots because I like to be whimsical and paint them. (Charlie says I am being psychotic, not whimsical! LOL) But your terra cotta pots are just fine.

BTW - your Sans look great!

Hi Jon.

I agree with Poly's comment above about probably needing more sunlight. Also, what sort of soil / mix are they in.

Some succulents may seem to grow anywhere in any conditions, but to thrive and be happy they may need to be in conditions that mimic their native environment.

And what climate are you in, or country and area?

Jon, I just did a bit of research. I found this thread interesting, you may too.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3273294/a-few-aloe-vera-questions?n=7

I'm in the Chicagoland area, Illinois, USA. For those who don't know, our weather here can be very hot one day then cold the next during seasons changing. My plants have thrived in the same spot they've always been in - a south facing window, which is large (3 windows side by side), near french doors that let a lot of light in too that faces south west. So more sunlight is a must - I assume the big one needs for light since getting bigger. The other one seems like a lost cause. Small but doesn't want to grow, yet stays alive. The large one grew so quick! It's cold here now, so not sure if they'll be getting any more light. I'm iffy on changing how I'm watering them. I typically do once a week or so during summer, or once every 2-3 weeks in winter since there's not a lot of light. It's in a cactus mix with a couple handfuls of perlite.

Why did my larger Aloe shed the bottom leaves? Do I leave it as is with that "trunk" or will it grow leaves? I want mine to look more like yours Crenda, it's a beauty!

My sans are so happy! Thank you! The smaller ones there all came from the momma plant.

Ah! I'm sorry to tell you that I killed off all our succulents when we lived in Rockford! LOL The only thing I kept going was my asparagus fern. Then we moved to Florida and they are weeds down here!

It sounds like you are doing about what everyone would recommend. I would probably make the potting mix 50/50 with perlite on the next repot. If you can wean it outside during the summer the plant would like that. Others who have to bring plants indoors will have better advice for you . . . (ahem - Rockford!)

The lower leaves will be absorbed and fall off of the plant first. New growth will start in the center. That can give your plant a bit of a stem. Some people behead their Aloe and root it when it gets that look. It's entirely up to you.

Oh wow I'm an hour from there! Yeah... not the best place for these plants but I like them so much! Florida, nice!

Ok I can do that for next repot.

I just don't get why this one has a stem now. Most aloe I see don't, and grow from the base without a stem. If I behead it (which is cutting off most of that stem?) during winter, I feel like it'll die! I never have beheaded anything (or anyone..) and rooted. I did some quick searches and seems simple but most definitely don't want it to die after this long. I've propagated the sans, and stuck the leaf in dirt and that rooted, and then it started actually growing 2 years later. It took so long.

Lol Jon I'm glad you haven't beheaded anyone ;-D

But since it came up, beheading plants of course, thought I'd share this really useful and interesting thread from rina. Fascinating thread! Lots of example photos too.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4611851/beheading-plants?n=58

I'm not suggesting it works on all plants and rina herself says that she's just sharing what she's done, so can't speak for other plants. Her example plant is an Aloe, but not an Aloe vera

I didn't end up reading it to the end. If you do look at it AND slog through to the end. Let me know if it was interesting right through or 'same old'. There were heaps of people sharing their experiences too.

They do look rather etiolated but has it been in the same pot, in the same soil for the last 4 years? If so, I'd also think that it has run out of nutrients. While you have issues with light and weather where you are, aloes are indigenous here and although they can be grown very hot and dry, to get them to really thrive, we add lots of compost and they especially love cattle manure compost. In your climate, that could be hugely problematic but then please do try a repot in fresh soil with either some organic potting soil or use an inorganic fertiliser regularly. I mulch my aloes with compost but I appreciate that's not for everyone. Some people even grow them in pure compost here and that makes plants very fat-leaved.

Thanks Helen. I checked it and found out another post by someone. After reading it, I think I'd be good to go in the Spring to behead her! Her, the plant. :P

https://getbusygardening.com/aloe-vera-plant-care/

The section under Propagating Aloe Vera Plants says,

"If your aloe vera plant has grown huge and has a long stem at the bottom (and you’re feeling brave), you could try propagating the whole thing from one large stem cutting (this is how I ended up with two humongous aloe vera plants!)."

Nik, the big one was repotted to a larger pot about a year and a half ago. I had kept half of the dirt in and added new dirt. I didn't want to startle it, but maybe I'm completely wrong. Maybe I'll give it 100% new dirt soon, but then again it's winter here. We actually just had our first snowfall today, and a lot of snow. Wasn't sticking though! I wish the leaves got fat!

I give it a little bit of this for food and hasn't died yet! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JIRKYJ2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Great information to help me open my eyes more!

I do have two LED grow lights w/ full spectrum.... Thoughts?