Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. They come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures, making them extremely popular houseplants and outdoor landscaping plants. With over 60 plant families and 10,000 different species, there is a succulent for every gardener’s taste!
If you’re new to the world of succulents, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to 31 of the best types of succulents worth growing. From common varieties like Echeveria and Aloe Vera to more unusual succulents like Panda Plant and Ponytail Palm, this list covers a wide range of shapes, sizes and growing conditions.
Read on to discover 31 of the most popular, easy-to-grow, and visually striking succulents that are perfect for your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most widely grown succulents, and for good reason. It is incredibly easy to care for and has amazing healing properties. The gel from aloe vera leaves can be applied directly to burns, cuts, and irritated skin for relief.
Aloe vera has thick, wide leaves that grow in a rosette shape. The leaves are green, sometimes with white speckles, and have small teeth along the edges. One of the great things about aloe vera is that it propagates easily – just cut off an offset from the main plant and re-plant it. Pups will also grow spontaneously between the leaves.
Aloe vera does best in bright, indirect light. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Too much water will cause the leaves to become mushy and transparent. Well-draining soil specifically formulated for cacti and succulents is essential.
Burro’s Tail
With its long, trailing stems covered in fleshy teardrop-shaped leaves, burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) is one of the most popular trailing succulents. Native to southern Mexico and Honduras, it is perfect for hanging baskets or arrangements where its stems can drape down.
The leaves of burro’s tail have a waxy coating that helps retain moisture. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent rot. Too much water will cause the leaves to fall off easily. Bright light keeps the leaves plump and compact. Insufficient light results in thinner, more elongated leaves.
Propagation is easy – just take a stem cutting and stick it directly into dry soil. Burro’s tail also produces many offsets which can be removed and replanted.
Echeveria
With hundreds of species, Echeveria is one of the largest genera of succulents. Their rosette shape and vibrant colors make them very popular. Some of the most common types include Echeveria elegans, Echeveria agavoides, and Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’.
Echeveria thrive in bright light and well-draining soil. Most species do well in partial sun to full sun locations. Provide afternoon shade if planting outdoors in very hot, sunny climates. The rosette leaves can range from green to blue to pink or orange. Many echeveria species have a powdery coating on the leaves to protect them from sunburn.
Echeveria are easy to propagate from leaves or offsets. They rarely survive freezing temperatures, so they need to be kept above 32°F (0°C).
Hen and Chicks
Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a classic succulent with multiple rosettes of fleshy leaves that resemble a mother hen surrounded by chicks. It is an alpine succulent native to Europe. The main rosette will continue producing smaller rosettes around it, forming a mat. The rosettes come in green, red, purple, pink, and other colors.
Hen and chicks grow well in poor soil and thrive in full sun. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. The main rosette will eventually produce a tall stalk with flowers and die. But the offsets will continue multiplying, ensuring the hen and chicks live on!
Jade Plant
Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a popular succulent thanks to its easy care and ability to thrive even in poor conditions. It has thick branches with shiny, oval-shaped jade green leaves. With the right care, a jade plant can grow into a tree reaching 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 m) tall.
Jade plants are very easy to propagate from stem or leaf cuttings. Overwatering is the main cause of problems – jade plants prefer their soil to dry out between waterings. Provide bright light indoors or full sun outside. Jade plants can handle some frost and temperatures down to 20°F (-7°C).
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a genus of succulents with over 125 species. Kalanchoe are popular for their colorful flowers and attractive foliage. They are native to Africa and Asia. Some of the most popular types of Kalanchoe are:
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana – Has clusters of red, orange, yellow, pink, or white flowers that bloom in winter/spring.
- Kalanchoe luciae – Has velvety leaves with red edges. The leaves turn completely red in high light.
- Kalanchoe tomentosa – Has fuzzy, thick leaves covered in fine white hairs. The leaves are green with brown stripes.
Kalanchoe need plenty of light to thrive and are prone to stretching in low light conditions. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings and provide well-draining soil. Propagation is easy from leaf and stem cuttings. Protect kalanchoe from frost as they prefer warm temperatures.
Lithops – Living Stones
Lithops, also known as living stones, are fascinating little succulents that blend in perfectly with rocks in their native habitat of South Africa. Their flattened bodies are made up of two bulbous, fused leaves. Lithops come in a variety of colors like grey, brown, and pinkish-white, often with unique patterns.
Living stones thrive in very well-draining soil and require occasional deep waterings. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Too much water will lead to rotting. They prefer direct sunlight. Provide a warm environment as lithops are not frost-hardy. Propagate lithops from leaf cuttings or seed.
Aeonium
Aeonium are subtropical succulents that grow large rosettes on branching stems. They are native to the Canary Islands. Aeonium have waxy, colorful leaves that come in purple, burgundy, blue, and green varieties. Flowers bloom on tall stalks in winter/spring.
Aeonium prefer full sun to partial shade. Provide well-draining soil and allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Most aeonium go dormant in summer and require less frequent watering. Aeonium are not frost-hardy – they require temperatures above 30°F (-1°C) to survive the winter. Propagate from stem cuttings.
Ponytail Palm
Despite its name and appearance, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is not a true palm or even a succulent. It is a species of flowering perennial that stores water in a large, bulbous base. The long, curly leaves emerging from the top give it the look of a ponytail.
Ponytail palm is adaptable to a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings. The plant stores water in its base, so infrequent watering is fine. Ponytail palm is extremely slow-growing, only reaching about 1 foot (30 cm) tall over 10 years. It eventually forms clusters of flowers on tall stalks.
Flapjacks (Paddle Plant)
Flapjacks or paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) have thick, rounded, paddle-shaped leaves that stack on top of each other in compact rosettes. The leaves may be green or gray-blue in color. Small white or yellow flowers appear in summer.
Provide flapjacks with plenty of sunlight – they do best with at least a half day of full sun. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent rot. Flapjacks propagate easily from leaf cuttings or offsets. Protect from frost in winter.
Zebra Plant
The eye-catching stripes on zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata) makes it a popular houseplant. It has pointy dark green leaves with bright white stripes reminiscent of zebra stripes.
Zebra plant thrives in bright, indirect light indoors. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. It prefers dry soil between waterings but enjoys occasional, thorough soakings. Zebra plant is sensitive to overwatering which can quickly lead to rot. Propagate new plants from offsets that grow around the base or leaf cuttings.
String of Pearls
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a unique vining succulent known for its pea-shaped, spherical leaves. It is native to southwest Africa. When grown in hanging baskets, its strands can grow up to 3 feet (0.9 m) long, trailing many tendrils covered in the little bead-like leaves.
String of pearls thrives in bright, indirect sunlight indoors or filtered sunlight outdoors. Allow the soil to dry out between thorough waterings. The stems can grow quite long and get top heavy, so secure them to trellises or with plant clips if needed. Propagate with stem cuttings.
Panda Plant
Panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) has soft, fuzzy leaves with brown-tipped edges that give it a cute panda bear look. The leaves are covered in tiny white hairs. It produces clusters of pretty bell-shaped flowers.
Provide panda plant with plenty of sunlight to maintain its compact growth habit and velvety foliage. It prefers fast-draining soil and irregular watering. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Panda plant is sensitive to overwatering.
Stonecrop
Stonecrop encompasses over 300 species of succulents in the Sedum genus. They are popular groundcover plants thanks to their low, creeping growth habit and colorful flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Some stonecrop varieties include:
- Sedum rubrotinctum – Jellybean plant, mini green leaves blush red in full sun
- Sedum spurium – Two-row stonecrop, star-shaped leaves, pink summer flowers
- Sedum morganianum – Donkey’s tail or burro’s tail, trailing stems with teardrop leaves
Stonecrops thrive in poor soil and hot, dry conditions. Plant them in areas with full sun to partial shade. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering quickly leads to rot with stonecrops. They readily propagate from stem and leaf cuttings.
Ghost Plant
Ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) has pale grey-green leaves that look like they are dusty or covered in ghostly wax. The rosettes can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) wide and pink flowers appear on short stalks.
Ghost plant thrives in partial shade locations with well-draining soil. Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings. Provide protection from frost in winter as ghost plant prefers temperatures above 40°F (4°C). Propagate from leaf cuttings or offsets.
Crown of Thorns
Crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) is an eye-catching succulent thanks to the colorful bracts that surround its flowers. The bracts come in bright shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, or white. It has spiny, elliptical leaves on woody stems.
Grow crown of thorns in bright, direct sunlight indoors or partial shade outdoors. It prefers its soil to dry out between waterings. Crown of thorns is sensitive to overwatering and soggy soils. Fertilize occasionally during the growing season. Propagate by cutting a branch below a node and rooting it in soil.
Blue Chalk Sticks
Senecio serpens, commonly called blue chalk sticks, has cylindrical blue-green leaves that emerge from red stems. It is a low-growing succulent that forms dense mounds. Tiny white flowers may appear during the summer.
Blue chalk sticks thrives in full sun and nutrient-poor soil. Allow the potting mix to dry out between occasional waterings. Provide excellent drainage. It can tolerate some frost but prefers temperatures above 25°F (-4°C). Propagate from stem cuttings.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a hybrid succulent known for its pink, red, white, orange, or yellow flowers that bloom in late fall/early winter. It has flattened, segmented stems with scalloped edges.
Christmas cactus needs bright, indirect light inside. Place it in a sunny window filtered by a sheer curtain. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry and fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Provide high humidity and temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C) for the best blooms.
Split Rock
Split rock (Pleiospilos nelii) is a petite succulent with two leaves that split open lengthwise to expose the inner surfaces. The leaves are often purplish-brown with spots near the top. Orange, pink, or red flowers may occasionally appear.
Split rock grows slowly and prefers infrequent but deep waterings. Allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Give it plenty of sunshine and minimal handling to avoid leaf splitting. Protect split rock from temperatures below 35°F (2°C).
Burrito Tail
Burrito tail (Sedum morganianum ‘Burrito’) is a cute cultivar of popular burro’s tail succulent. It has tightly wound spiraling leaves resembling a wrapped burrito. The blue-green leaves may turn reddish in full sun.
Grow burrito tail in hanging baskets so its trailing stems can cascade down. Provide well-draining soil and allow it to dry out between waterings. Burrito tail thrives in full sun to partial shade. Avoid overwatering which can lead to rot. Propagate from stem cuttings.
Blue Rose Echeveria
Blue rose echeveria (Echeveria ‘Blue Rose’) forms stunning rosettes with powdery, blue-green leaves. The tips of the leaves turn a deep pinkish-red color when exposed to plenty of sunlight. Orange flowers appear in summer.
Blue rose echeveria needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day for the best coloration. It also thrives under grow lights. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out. Good drainage prevents rotting. Bring blue rose echeveria indoors if temperatures drop below 30°F (-1°C).
Air Plants
Air plants belong to the Tillandsia genus of tropical bromeliads. With over 650 species, the variety is immense – there are air plants with twisted, spiky, or wavy leaves in grey, green, pink, red, purple, and more! They use their specialized leaves to get hydration from moisture in the air.
Air plants do not need soil, but should be misted with water several times per week or soaked periodically. Provide very well-ventilated conditions and plenty of indirect sunlight. Avoid direct hot sun which can burn the leaves. Air plants bloom colorful flowers that last for several weeks.
Donkey’s Tail
Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum) is a fast-growing trailing succulent with long stems densely packed with teardrop-shaped leaves. The leaves may be green to purple-red depending on sun exposure. Donkey’s tail is native to southern Mexico and Honduras.
Grow donkey’s tail in hanging baskets so the stems can trail down. Provide bright, indirect light indoors or partial shade outside. Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out completely. Overwatering easily causes stem rot. Propagate by taking stem cuttings.
Moonstones
Moonstones (Pachyphytum oviferum) have chunky blue-green leaves with a chalky texture. With the proper light conditions, moonstones develop a ghostly pale blue coating on the leaves. Clusters of pink or orange flowers may appear in summer.
Give moonstones plenty of sunlight to bring out their best colors – some direct sun is ideal. Allow the soil to dry between occasional waterings to prevent rot. Moonstones are sensitive to overwatering and soggy soil. They propagate well from leaf cuttings. Bring indoors below 30°F (-1°C).
Acanthocereus Tetragonus – Triangle Cactus
Triangle cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus) is a tree-like cactus known for its branching green stems with four to six ribs and prominent spikes. It can grow up to 33 feet (10 m) tall in its native habitats in Mexico and the West Indies.
Indoors, provide triangle cactus with a warm environment and plenty of direct sunlight. Allow the potting mix to dry out between occasional waterings in summer, reducing water in winter. Fertilize a few times during spring and summer to promote growth. Protect from temperatures below 45°F (7°C).
Chinese Money Plant
Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is often nicknamed missionary plant or pancake plant for its flat, round leaves. It has thick stems with fleshy, bright green, coin-shaped leaves. Tiny white flowers occasionally appear in summer.
Chinese money plant thrives in well-draining, loose potting mix. Provide medium to bright indirect light. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity. Protect from cold drafts and temperatures below 45°F (7°C).
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) gets its name from the soft, fuzzy texture of its leaves. The leaves are a silvery gray color and densely covered in tiny white hairs. Spikes of small pink or purple flowers emerge