Succulent industrial plant have strange shapes , rich textures , varied colors , and showy blooms that make a striking impact in any container or garden setting .
They are not a unique floral family , but diverse members of legion plant groups . What they have in common is their pee - keep back , fleshy leaves and halt .
The cactus is one type with which you are belike intimate , but there are loads more !
Photo by Allison Sidhu.
And do n’t worry about yourUSDA Hardiness Zone . Whetheryou grow themas annuals in the gardenor in pots , there ’s something for everyone to sleep with .
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Here ’s what ’s in store :
Photo by Allison Sidhu.
The Best Easy-Care Exotic Succulents
Containers for Indoors or Outdoors
I adore miniature succulent aggroup in pots . They cue me of the exotic sea life of a coral Rand , and I never get banal of look up to and fussing over them .
These footling varieties are thoroughgoing for me because it ’s too inhuman to leave them outside here in the Northeast . If you like bigger types , just use containers on wheels and convey them in and out as you like .
you may also sow forthwith in the garden in spring , and if you ’re in a frost zona , your plant life will merely die outwhen winter comes .
However , unlike typical summer annuals , you could drudge these up , pot them , and enjoy them indoors through the winter .
An even easier way to preserve your favorites is topropagate your own plantsby taking a small cut of each to root indoors . By summer , you ’ll have small plants to take out to the garden .
Some succulents are perennial . MySempervivumandSedumwithstand strong frosts and return yr after year , spreading to form dense rug of pursuit in former “ job areas ” chevy by dry , arenaceous ground .
Stay tune up ! We ’ve got eleven optic - catching specie just begging forpots on your patioand boast placementsamong your annualsandperennials .
Eleven Species to Love
The following eleven succulent come in a Brobdingnagian raiment of species , subspecies , and cultivar of varied colors , shapes , and textures .
From geometrical to curvaceous , subtly tinge to boldly divest , they offer an abundance of visually exciting flora with which to design containers and gardens .
1. Aeonium
Aeonium , aka houseleek , bear showy rosettes . The stems may become woody , and some metal money may outgo three feet in height . It grows outdoors year - cycle in Zones 9 to 11 .
Flowers appear from late winter into spring and are commonly chicken or snowy . They may be tall , multi - blossomed cone or circularise trend of midget blooms .
Aeoniumsare monocarpic , meaning they pall after bloom . But do n’t despair ! They farm setoff that live on on after the parent ’s death .
Black roseAeonium , A. arboreum‘Zwartkop , ’ is a well - known cultivar with glistening leave of absence that are an almost black spook of Burgundy wine . Another , A. arboreum‘Kiwi , ’ has red - tinged chartreuse farewell , and stalk that top out at two feet .
Showy ornamental specimens like these impart social organisation , color , texture , and an alluring and unique smell to a appeal of decorative containers and garden groupings .
10 Gorgeous Succulent Cuttings from Fat Plants San Diego
An interesting motley of 10 carving , includingAeonium , isavailable from Fat Plants San Diego via Amazon .
Aeonium‘Kiwi ’ Starter Plant
2. Aloe
Evergreen medicative aloe , orAloe vera , grows yr - turn in Zones 10 to 12 , where it reaches a height of up to two feet and produces yellow blossoms in summer .
It does in force in full Dominicus but may suffer a bit of shade , andprefers arenaceous , well - drained soil .
As with most succulents , this one benefit from tearing when it dries out during growth and blooming periods , although it tolerates drought well .
A. vera ’s rosette of spiky , vary green and clean leaves look attractive in heap that may be moved indoors for the wintertime . But keep in mind that when grown as a houseplant , aloe rarely blooms .
The tomfool of the overweight leaves has been pry by healers for 100 , and is a staple ingredient in many commercial lotion .
There are many species and cultivars of aloe , includingtiger aloe , A. variegata .
This variety can tolerate more shade , grows to about a ft in height , and has pink efflorescence that bloom from winter into spring . It is hardy in Zones 9 to 11 .
Aloe Vera Plant
A. vera isavailable from Costa Farms via Wayfairin four - inch pots .
Read more about the works that make up the aloe genus here .
3. Crassula
TheCrassulagenus includes the shiny , sinister green - leavedjade plant , C. ovata , which you may recognize from your grandmother ’s house . It ’s foresighted beena democratic houseplant .
This genus also admit the flatness - finished , red - tinged silvery jade plant , C. arborescens .
Crassulais an cushy option that tolerates almost any soil , provided it ’s well - draining . Itprefers full sunbut tolerates some shade , and is a vigorous grower that thrives alfresco twelvemonth - round in zona 11 and 12 .
Left to its own devices in pot or gardens , this gem may turn over a shrubby five or six feet tall with furcate trunk and fleshy , paddle - like leave .
utilise its towering presence as a additive focal point to draw the heart upward , creating dramatic play in a container or garden bed .
Crassula grown in pots of manageable size benefit from impudent potting each give , and a top - up of appropriate cactus / succulent territory . No fertilizer is ask , but you may sparingly utilize a slow - release type if desired .
Crassula Ovatain 6 - Inch Pot from JM Bamboo
Indoor plant seldom bloom , but outdoors , expect clusters of tiny white or pink blossoms from late autumn into early winter .
Jade plant , C. ovata , isavailable on Amazonin six - inch pots .
Crassula ArborescensLive Plant
Silver jade plant , C. arborescens , isavailable on Amazonin 3.5 - inch muckle .
happen more backsheesh on genus Crassula care here .
4. Echeveria
TheEcheveriagenus islarge and wide-ranging , and often assist ( sometimes erroneously ) as a apprehension - all family for any little potato of uncertain definition . It is part of the stonecrop family , Crassulaceae .
metal money exhibit a classic rosette frame , and an astounding array of leafage dimension .
Evergreen leave come in a palette of hues , and flowers of all colors perch atop delicate stems . Hardy in zone 9 to 12,Echeveriawill do nicely potted up in any realm .
supply full Dominicus to part shade and sandy , well - drained soil . Fertilizer is not necessary , but if you must , employ a low - atomic number 7 , slow - sacking change . And when you water , dust the soil , not the leaves , to protect the waxy finish and inhibit decompose .
depend upon the variety , it may be a low - grow groundcover or a saucer - sized stem canker on a two - foundation stalk .
You mayprune leggy plantsand rout the cuttings . Some people “ behead , ” these , hack an entire stem canker from a leggy stem . With luck , the shank will continue to grow , and the cut little potato will root successfully .
Often , when you enjoin succulents online , you ’ll receive a intermixture of unidentified cuttings or small specimen . Generally , at least one is anEcheveria .
But how can you secern ?
I take the advice ofPatrick Grubbs of Sublime Succulents . Echeveriaare often mistaken forSempervivumbecause both are rosette - regulate , and produce offsets of parent plants that diffuse thickly .
Some folks endeavor to differentiate them by :
Perhaps the full direction to tell is to see if it can withstand hoarfrost .
If you ’re in a cold zone like me , take cuttings of your favorites to pot up , and leave the rest outside for the wintertime . If the latter add up up again in the springtime , they ’re notEcheveria , butSempervivum !
Otherwise , check what happens at bloom time .
Echeveriais polycarpic , meaning it flowers and lives on after the blooms fade . Sempervivum , on the other hand , is monocarpic , anthesis and then die , leaving its offsets to carry on .
Echeveriain 4 - in Pots
One case ofEcheveriathat ’s often misidentify forSempervivumisE. glauca , normally known as down hen and chicks . It produces slender - stalked heyday of yellow with crimson accents from spring into summer .
An motley of fourEcheveriain four - in pots isavailable on Amazon .
instruct .
5. Graptopetalum
Graptopetalumis a genus of little potato that grow as perennials in Zones 7 to 11 . Also members of theCrassulaceaefamily , shade plant , G. paraguayense , is one of numerous species .
In full sun , leaves are faintly pink , but in part shade they take on a grey-haired - gullible chromaticity .
Graptopetalumgrows well in sandy , well - drained territory with short moisture , but appreciates watering when it dry out out completely during growth and rosiness times .
When it is grown outdoors in springtime , tiny white star - like flowers with red emphasis form on supple stalks .
This is a rambler , so rough hillsides andhanging potsare perfect planting fix . However , allowing it free range may make it scraggly . snip off leggy stalks for a more compact coming into court .
Unlike evergreen plant succulent , Graptopetalumdrops leave . While a little mussy , the leave-taking take root very easily , make for some of the comfortable ego - propagation ever .
G. ParaguayenseGhost Plant in 2 - Inch Pot
If you ’re growing it in a hanging container , simply place a large catch - all pan of cactus / succulent potting spiritualist beneath it to grab what fall .
G. paraguayenseplants areavailable on Amazon .
6. Haworthia
Haworthiais an elongated , fleshy russet scab that resembles aloe . Wart - like band of white on dark evergreen leaves give a dappled flavor toH. margaritifera , and a striped visual aspect to zebra works , H. fasciata .
There are numerous species in this family , some with leafage so plump and shiny they ’re fit to burst . It thrives in full sun and sandy , well - run out soil . Water and put on a diluted or slow - release fertilizer during growth and bloom full stop .
MostHaworthiarosettes remain shorter than six inch in stature , but flower stalks may rise a base or more above the base leaf .
Haworthiain 4 - in Pot
Grow this succulent outdoors year - round in Zones 9 to 11 , or in containers that may be moved indoors for wintertime .
Check houseplant in spring , and repot as needed to maintain adequate space for expanding and multiplying rosettes .
you could findHaworthiain four - inch potsavailable via Amazon .
Get more tips on growingHaworthiaplants here .
7. Lithops and Pleospilos Nelii
I thinkLithops , often called living stone , is one of the most unusual succulent . The one you are likely to find for sale isL. bella .
BothLithopsandPleospilos neliiare mesembs , or stone - like succulent , from the Aizoaceae house .
P. nelii , or “ split rock , ” is broadly speaking larger thanLithops . It has a piece of a stem or neck , and is not set quite as deeply in the ground asLithops . It may also get more than one flower at a time , as opposed toLithops’single rosiness .
They are often mistaken for each other , andP. neliiis sometimes ( confusingly ) sold under the recording label “ Lithops P. nelii . ”
In the wild , Lithopsgrows mostly underground , queer only the tips of its leaves to absorb what little moisture is available .
top out at about an inch and a half in height , it displays the color striations and politic surface of rock , betray only by the plush white or yellow daisy - like flowers that emerge from its fissure center .
GrowLithopsin shallow pot , or in the garden where it spreads densely , creating an earthy , textural mosaic of browns , greens , and blues .
It hunger gravelly , well - drained soil and full Dominicus , and may be enjoyed year - round of drinks in Zones 10 and 11.P. neliihas the same prerequisite for planting , and it is available in shades of green or purple .
LithopsLive Plants
The water necessary for mesembs are low . During winter dormancy , they requires almost none . However , during the emergence of new leave and/or flush , water each clip the well - drained cactus / succulent potting sensitive or gritty soil dries out completely .
Lithopsisavailable on Amazonas a set of eight seedling .
Find lead on care forLithopshere .
8. Portulaca
Portulaca grandiflora , commonly known as moss rise , is an annual that thrives on neglectfulness .
Give it full sunshine and room to roam , and it will tolerate even the driest of soils . This half - hardy annual ca n’t tolerate the cold , sostart seeds indoors in other springand sow seedlings outside after the danger of hoarfrost has come about .
Ideal accommodation include gritty , well - drained soil , and piss only when leave sag .
In return , anticipate lots of bright , showy blooms that tout single or double rows of petal in a chain of mountains of color from yellow to hot pinko . narrow-minded , heavy leave of absence resemble pine needles and grow on trailing stem that are lovely inhanging potsand rock garden .
This flush is one of my puerility favorites , and is often overlooked by “ serious ” gardeners . It’sa fun plant life for kidsbecause unless they kill it with kindness , à la too much weewee , it ’s almost foolproof .
Double MixPortulacaSeeds
There are numerous cultivars which blossom abundantly from June through September . No fertiliser is required .
Portulacais intended for the garden or outside container , where it will subsist for one season . It is not a houseplant .
Mixed doublePortulacaseeds areavailable from True Leaf Market . They grow as yearly in zone 5 to 11 and are perfect for containers .
AnotherPortulacawith which you may be familiar isP. oleracea , or vulgar purslane . This is anedible wildflowerwith succulent parting and tiny yellow blossom that has naturalized in the US from strange ancient beginning .
Like me , you may find it sprawling in bare soil in your landscape painting . And , while many call it a smoke and consider it to be a pain , purslane is in fact a utile ground cover that ’s rich in nutritious omega-3 butterball acids !
Please note : aside from the above - bring up purslane , P. oleracea , the succulent plant discuss here are for ornamental utilization only as they may contain toxins that are harmful if ingested . And be careful when foraging , since many common edible plants have potentially toxic lookalikes .
Read more about growing moss rose ( Portulaca grandiflora ) here .
9. Sedum
Sedumis an expansive inflorescence succulent variety , another genus belonging to the hugeCrassulaceaefamily .
Often touch on to as stonecrop , some are evergreen perennials that will grow to be two metrical foot grandiloquent , likeS. spectabile‘Autumn Joy,’with its middle - catching deep pink flowers that flower from former summer through drop .
Others , like coppertone sedum , S. nussbaumeranum , are low - farm perennial groundcovers that add tons of textural interest with their offbeat chassis and hue , with occasional frothy white flower clusters .
Sedum fly high in full Sunday in sandy , well - debilitate stain . Its fleshy leaves and stems are amazing water reservoirs , so only body of water when the soil is bone dry . It will support some shade , but its predilection is to relish in brilliant daylight .
S. Spectabile‘Autumn Joy ’
S. spectabile‘Autumn Joy ’ isavailable from Nature Hills Nurseryin # 1 containers of or so 2.3 to 3.7 quarts .
S. Spurium‘Dragon ’s line ’ seed
S. spurium‘Dragon ’s Blood ’ seeds areavailable from True Leaf Marketin package of 1000 .
Plants top out at four to six inches with starburst blooming of pictorial pinko , and are perennial in Zones 3 to 9 .
Find peak on arise sedum / stonecrop here .
10. Sempervivum
Closely related to sedum isSempervivum . Its perennial , evergreen plant rosettes are the mainstayof careen gardensin Zones 3 to 6 , and often all the way to Zone 8 .
This is one of my favorites here in northeasterly Pennsylvania , with an array of choices ranging from one to twelve inches in height .
Perhaps the best known isS. tectorum , aka hen and chick , or houseleek ( also a common name ofAeonium ) . It ’s remarkable for the proliferation of diminutive replicas of itself that mature and scatter thickly .
This isa utilitarian and attractive groundcover choicefor dry problem areas , like those along suburban sidewalks . It ’s also a pop natural selection for ceiling gardens and sway wall .
Another isS. arachnoideum , the cobweb rendering of hen and chicks .
White filaments cover the top of each rose window as though a wanderer was meddlesome spinning many , many webs . There ’s always something funky to ascertain with succulents !
Sempervivumthrives on nonperformance , and require almost no lachrymation . Simply provide flaxen , well - drain territory and full Dominicus , and it is in its element . If you garden in a northern clime , put on some mulchin early descent for an added stratum of warmness .
SempervivumSeeds , Hardy Mixture
Keep in psyche thatSempervivumis monocarpal , and each biddy die after blossom . However , its bird carry on from there .
Seeds areavailable from True Leaf Marketin computer software of 1,000 .
receive tip on growingSempervivumor hen and chicks here .
11. Senecio
TheSeneciogenus is a large one that let in blue chalk stick , S. serpens , andstring of bead , S. rowleyanus . Both coinage do well in full Dominicus to fond shade , with sandy , well - drained grunge and minimal water .
In a pot , string of pearls cascades in precious stone - laden vines . On the ground , it make a dense covering , as creeping stems root themselves .
While the flowers are tiny , they are fragrant , long - long-lived , and strike , with long stamens protruding from white blossoms . This unusual variety may reach up to two invertebrate foot in length .
Enjoy string of pearl year - rung in the garden in Zones 9 to 12 . If you pot it , refresh the toilet each saltation , increase in sizing as needed , topping up with sweet cactus / succulent potting mass medium , and a dilute or small program program of miserable - liberation fertiliser as desire .
Too much fertilizer may make some succulents leggy when they should be compact , so over - fertilizing should be avoided .
If a plant becomes solution restrain , or very old , it may be best to take film editing and start fresh .
Senecio Rowleyanusin 4 - column inch Pots
drawing string of pearl , S. rowleyanus , isavailable on Amazonin four - in pots .
Blue chalk stick produces dusky blue digit - comparable foliage and stretches to a ft in duration if given the opportunity . To keep it more compact , prune off leggy stems and root them if you like .
develop it year - round in the garden in Zones 10 and 11 , and revel tuft - alike , yellow fragrant blossoms in spring .
Senecio Mandraliscaein 2.5 - Inch heap
Blue chalk joint is a bit moody when it comes to extension . We have n’t had much luck in my family . You may try out souse a new , wet leaf or foliage / root cutting into a powdered steady down hormone before rate it into sandy , well - drained cactus / succulent pot medium , or coarse-grained soil .
Blue ice peg , S. serpens‘Mandraliscae , ’ isavailable on Amazon .
Feed Your Passion
With so many succulents to choose from , you ’re sure to discover a new favorite ( or two , or ten … ) on our list . And you ’re ready to plant , now that you know a little more about the specific on each .
For more of our top tip to become a succulent horticulture pro , be sure to check out our adept guide !
Six Succulents in 4 - Inch Pots from Fat Plants San Diego
If you decide that you order a few too many , or you find a sale at the local garden center and go a little crazy ( we ca n’t blame you ) , why not give some away as company favors at your next get - together ? ( Here ’s a mixed form of six that’savailable on Amazonthat would be perfect for this … ) .
And for more information about grow succulent , have a read of these templet next :
pic by Allison Sidhu © expect the Experts , LLC . ALL right hand RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Photos by Allison Sidhu © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED . See our TOS for more detail . Product photos via Costa Farms , Fat Plants San Diego , Mabes Warehouse , JM Bamboo , Iniloplant , Hirt ’s Gardens , South Texas Succulents , Succulents Box , True Leaf Market , Nature Hills Nursery , CTS Air Plants , and Wayfair . Uncredited pic : Shutterstock . With extra penning and editing by Allison Sidhu .
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Nan Schiller
