I think part of your problem is that your plant is very etiolated .These plants really do need to be outdoors and don't take to a whole bunch of shade. BUT I do understand that we do what we have to do. It is kind of nice all stretched out. I still recognize the character of the curl and the marginal teeth. I got mine in a trade years ago as a very tiny rootless pup. It does not get as large as many of its relatives do. Probably because I grow it fairly hard and it is in a smallish pot and would like a large root run to get large.. It is different from many of the A. arborescens out there. I do not know the different names for different varieties., so I am no help there.

Hi Joe California :) Saw your post about the aloe. I'm looking to use this plant in my landscape and was wondering if you could share a little more info. I noticed at the San Marcos Growers site that they have 2 yellow aloe arborescens, one is the 'Lutea' you speak of and the other is Yellow Torch Aloe or 'Yellow Torch'. There seems to be no difference really except that it says 'Lutea' reaches 9 ft. and the other 6-8 ft. and it seems the regular Yellow Torch has less curved foliage... hmmm. Anyway, could you please tell me how tall and wide the ones in your garden grow? Also, how fast is the growth? Do the clumps form close to the ground? I'd greatly appreciate all info you care to share :-) I have a 6'x3' area that I'd like to have the aloe as a main foundation in... I was also recommended an aloe striatula plant which grows to 3-5 ft. here. Anyone have experience with these? Here is a link that might be useful: Aloe Striatula

Remember, aloe Vera is a desert plant. Here in the desert (I'm from Phoenix AZ), we get very little rain, have hard rocky/sandy soil, lots of sunlight and harsh heat. We never have put our aloe in potting soil and don't water it every few days (more like once every week, or every other week) and it thrives, almost like a weed. It's a succulent plant, here they are used to long periods without water. But at home you first need a pot that drains well, when the water sits in a succulent plant than it could kill the plant (or just make it sick). Second you want to make sure that you soak the soil (no spray bottles), that will tell the plant it's time to get as much water as it can because the droughts could be coming. Then let the soil dry completely and wait another day or even a few days. Aloe is nice because it has so many health benefits and you really don't have to do a whole lot to care for it. Make sure it gets plenty of sunshine, but if you have nights that freeze it's best to bring it in. Make sure you have the right potting soil mix (which you can buy a cactus mix at home depot or Lowes). This is just one spot in our yard the aloe grows, and multiplies

Aloe plants, and in fact all succulents, will turn reddish with stress. That stress can be sun light, moisture level, and even temperature changes. ALL of my plants are grown outside in full sun. I actually have zero house plants, but 100s of succulents. So let me share some experience with you. MiracleGro cactus and succulent soil is NOT good on its own. I'm sorry to say that it is a marketing ploy. It is full of peat. It will retain too much water deep in the pot. You can test this with a skewer inserted 2/3 the way into the middle of the pot. When you bring it out after a minute, if the skewer is damp or feels cool when placed on your cheek, there is enough water for your succulent/Aloe. So wait another day and test again. The c&s mix is better than regular potting soil, but it should still be mixed 50/50 with perlite or pumice or even granite chicken grit. Never add sand. It should look like this - And the red color is just that - a color change. Many of us like the reds. It is not a sign of problems with the plant. This Aloe vera pup was recently potted and it turned reddish from the stress of a repot. It is growing just fine. (See that mix the plant is potting in? I use only grit and Turface due to my rainy summers. No soil.) This is an Aloe juvenna. This picture was taken during our rainy season. This is the same plant after the rains stopped and we entered the dry season. I am notorious for forgetting to water after the rains stop. You can see how just the lack of rain, since it is still getting the same sunshine, has turned this plant red. Now, you say your plant has not been very gel-filled. I think you should be watering it more. Succulents like very fast draining soil, like the 50/50 mix mentioned above. And with this soil you can deeply water the plant until water runs out of the drain holes in the pot. This will also flush out any mineral build up from your water or fertilizers. (I rarely fertilize my Aloes) Sooooo - chances are just changing your potting mix will help your plant! ;-) Oh - I have some Aloes that have gotten pretty big! That's being able to stay outdoors all year long, tho. Those pups are over a foot tall. Good luck! Your plant looks pretty good right now so you can only make it better.