My mother had a few aloe plants when I was a kid and I bought one of my own last summer. Since re potting it, the plant has began growing straight up and sprouting smaller plants from its side instead of sending out runners. I have it tied to a stick now to keep it from toppling over. Does anybody know why it decided to grow like this? I've never seen one do that before.

Susang-

First of all- Welcome to the forum! You'll love it here.

One thing I have learned here is that there are several types of aloe. If yours is growing and happy(those babies mean it is happy )Then you just have a different type of aloe than your mom does. Check out the "show us your aloe" thread here in cacti/succulents It has a few different looking ones!

Best of luck to you!

Tonya