Two species of the Agave genus (Havard’s Agave and Whale’s Tongue Agave) are plants that look like Aloe with spikes. However, two species of Aloe including Uitenhage Aloe and Red-Hot Poker Aloe are very similar to the famous species Aloe vera.
Aloe vera is also one of the low-maintenance indoor plants with air purification ability and can tolerate drought conditions too. This plant adds an exotic view to your house decor.
Aloe vera is popular not only for the above properties but also for producing a medicinal gel in its leaves. Research has demonstrated that Aloe vera gel has soothing properties for minor skin irritations like sunburns and cuts.
Various species that look like Aloe vera don’t have its health benefits. So, distinguishing between Aloe vera and other similar plants is important.
Here, I will show you the image of 7 plants that look like Aloe with spikes and tell you about their characteristics. Let’s find them.
Scientific name: Agave havardiana
Common name: Havard’s Century plant
This succulent with its silvery blue to bluish-grey leaves which are spiny too, is one the plants that look like Aloe with spikes. This succulent not only does tolerate drought but also survives in cold weather.
Leaves | Like other succulents have fleshy leaves that are broad, cupped, and taper to a tip.
Dark brown teeth in the edges end to a sharp black terminal spine on the tip. |
Flowers | Mature plants (over 10 years) can produce clusters of fragrant golden flowers on top of a tall magnificent flowering stalk that can reach 10 ft. |
Growth habit | a tight rosette |
Size | reaching 2-3 feet tall and wide |
Scientific name: Agave ovatifolia
A light blue to powdery, whitish-blue succulent that looks like Aloe with spikes. You can easily grow it in pots.
Leaves | Broad (slightly cupped) thick blue leaves with a long, sharp, brownish-red tip and Sharp, greyish-black spines along the marriages |
Flowers | Yellow-green flowers on top of a tall (10- to 14-foot) flower stalk |
Growth habit | Rosette |
Size | 3-5 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide |
Scientific name: Dyckia brevifolia
Common name: Pineapple Dyckia,
A vibrant green succulent that looks like Aloe with spikes. Its gorgeous flowers make this succulent pollinator-friendly plant in your garden which attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Leaves | The stiff, triangular green leaves with reddish-brown spines along the margins |
Flowers | Flowering is in summer and produces orange or yellow flowers on a short stalk |
Growth habit | Rosette |
Size | About 8-12 inches tall and wide (compact growth) |
Scientific name: Aloe aculeata
Common names: Ngopanie, Sekope
Another species of Aloe with thick, fleshy, triangular green leaves that looks like Aloe with spikes. I love to have it in my garden because Hechtia epigyna is a Hummingbird attractant plant due to its nectar-rich flowers.
Leaves | Leaves surface is smooth, glossy. There are reddish-brown spines on its underneath and along the margins.
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Flowers | A cluster of bright orange or red flowers on a tall stalk which is similar to the Red Hot Poker plant. |
Growth habit | Rosette |
Size | About 2-3 feet tall and wide. |
Scientific name: Aloe Africana
If you are searching for a Fire-retardant plant, I recommend Uitenhage Aloe which can protect your home from wildfires.
Leaves | triangular greyish-green leaves with small, white teeth along the margins |
Flowers | Flowering is in summer and produces orange or yellow flowers on a tall stalk |
Growth habit | Rosette |
Size | 10-15 feet tall and wide. It’s a fast-growing plant that can reach maturity quickly. |
Scientific name: Hechtia marnier
A narrow leaf succulent that looks like Aloe with spikes and adds a tropical feel with an exotic touch to your landscape.
Leaves | The narrow, green-to-grey leaves with serrated edges and a spiky tip |
Flowers | Flowering is in summer and produces red or orange flowers on a tall stalk |
Growth habit | Rosette (a clumping form) |
Size | Reaching 1-2 feet tall and wide |
Scientific name: Hechtia epigyna
Another species from the Hechtia genus that looks like Aloe with spikes.
Leaves | long, green leaves with serrated edges. |
Flowers | Similar to Hechtia marnier, its flowering is in summer and produces orange or yellow flowers on a tall stalk |
Growth habit | Rosette |
Size | About 2-3 feet tall and wide. |
Nowadays, our smartphones are our professional friends and we ask them to help us with any issue from cooking and fixing things to plant identification. Hence you can easily detect any plants that look like Aloe with spikes with a Plant ID.
The “House Plant Identifier” is a free online tool that I tested to identify indoor plants, ornamental and fruit trees, and wild plants. It also could identify brown mushrooms in my houseplant correctly. It also can detect plant diseases, although I’ve not ever tested this ability.
Working with the “House Plant Identifier” is very easy: after taking an online picture of your plant and clicking on the “Start” button, this tool can identify it in only 2 seconds with high accuracy.
Aloe vera is a popular plant with various benefits, however, some plants look like Aloe with spikes. I tried to show you 7 of them with their images and characteristics and help you to identify them. I also introduced a free online tool to identify plants easily.
Please tell me what is your plant that looks like Aloe with spikes? Have you ever used a Plant ID to identify a plant? what is its name? you can also ask me your question below this page.
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.