It is not a cactus, but another succulent plant, Aloe nobilis. It would like more light.

~B

Thank you so much, had two of these for ages and always wondered what they were.

How can I tell if they're getting enough light? Not sure I could give them any more, they sit in my sunbathed conservatory permanently (except winter when I bring them indoors to avoid frost), perhaps they're not meant to be in the not-so-sunny Uk!

Actually tyrex, it looks to me as though it's nice and compact, not stretched out as if starved for light. Paracelsus may be looking at the light green color at the base of the leaves--many succulents get that when stretching for the light, but it may just be where light doesn't hit your aloe directly enough for it to develop that dark green color.

Interesting, thank you, I think the photo doesn't do the plant justice - it is quite dark in actuality, so I'm happy if you think it looks ok! I have two of these, the other is a bit lighter, so I'll keep an eye on the sunlight it sees.

They certainly grow fast - I had them in tiny 2-3" pots for years and didn't give them much thought until someone mentioned that they could do with a repot because they were completely pot bound! So, I repotted and they grew like crazy, and I ended up repotting them again a few months later.

Thanks again,
Ty