There's a plant out there that resembles aloe vera, but has a shorter stem. It's also more prickly than the traditional aloe vera plant. It's called Aloe barbadensis, which is used by botanists and gardeners alike to grow succulent plants. If you're looking to buy Aloe barbadensis, keep in mind that the plant isn't easy to find. There are only a few nurseries in North America that sell this particular type of plant.