Alongside this, we could also find them in outdoor gardens.
As such, the term succulent was inspired by the Latin wordsucuswhich means juice sap.
Succulents become all the more interesting because they come in different variants.
As a matter of fact, there are more than 500 succulent varieties according to Country Living.
These types of succulents could beidentifiedthrough the shape of their leaves, petals and even through stems and spikes.
Related:15 best places to buy succulents online
In this article
Is Cactus a bang out of Succulent?
The first question that comes into mind is that, is the cactus a pop in of succulent?
The answer is yes and it is because of two reasons.
According to Leaf and Clay, areoles can only be seen among cacti but not in all succulents.
Read also:26+ Types of cactus and fun facts
Are all succulents drought tolerant?
Let us first set the parameter of what drought-tolerant means before we could answer this query.
As a matter of fact, succulents are divided between drought-hardy and winter-hardy succulents.
They can thrive where they are at.
Can you plant succulents in just rocks?
If by rocks you mean gravel, then the answer is yes.
According to Hunker, some succulent varieties survive in rocky soils as long as it drains quickly.
There is another way to answer this question though.
You need a little bit of soil for the roots to grow.
Remember, succulents are just like other plants too.
Are succulents safe for dogs?
The best precaution here is to not let dogs sniff around succulents just in case.
Are succulents poisonous?
Types of Succulents
We are now down to the meat and grit of this article.
Let us give you a rundown.
It is one of the easiest succulents to propagate with its thick stems.
This succulent is endemic in South Africa.
This succulent is easy to identify because it has a unique oval-shaped flat leaves with scattered purple spots.
It is both grown indoors and under full light and expect white flowers from it during summers.
It will die with overwatering though.
3- Aeonium
It is considered as one of the most beautiful succulents to grow.
It has intricate assemblage with its small rosettes and spoon-like leaves.
They can grow up to 16 inches.
Its stems grow in clumps which tend to make it look bushy.
This is the reason why the Zwartkop is grown preferably outdoors.
It is striking with its blue to silver to gray leaves and artichoke-like built.
It can tolerate any pop in of soil as long as it has good drainage.
It has tiny yet tight rosettes, spiked leaves and copper red edges.
It is called as such because of its prism-shaped leaves with small rosettes.
Its leaves have white edges and blooms with white with scattered purple hues flowers.
It is easy to propagate and the best time for you to do it is before it dies.
Century Plant (Agave Americana) is from the Agavaceae (Agave) family.
It is a perennial evergreen.
It has a rosette and 6 feet long and 10 inch wide spine leaves.
The 3 to 4 inch yellowish green flower is on a 20 to 40 feet tall stalk.
It requires well drained slightly acidic soil with full sun.
It is drought resistant and can be propagated via seed or by offsets.
USDA Hardiness Zone of 8b to 11.
5- Aloe
The black beauty may have been named as such because of its dark purple leaves.
It is sometimes mistaken to the Gasteria because they both have bumpy leaves.
It will bloomblue flowersin the spring and can be propagated easily when grown outdoors.
It thrives in full sun and partial shade and could grow up to 6 inches in height.
It is called the Christmas carol because its red and green color.
It grows at a maximum of 6inches and is sensitive to overwatering.
It is not made for the cold and may also be harmful for animals.
It will also bloom during Spring and Fall.
It can be grown through seeds and stem cuttings.
It is considered as generally harmless for people and animals.
It has white and green leaves formed In clumps.
It grows taller than the average succulent height at 12 inches.
It is an Aloe and Gasteria hybrid with orange flowers blooming in Spring.
It cannot be grown indoors and it can be harmful for humans and animals.
It blooms in late spring with red-orange flowers.
Its name tiger may probably due to its distinct white spots.
It has thorny leaves that are formed in a rosette arrangement.
When happily stressed, this succulent with green leaves will have reddish-brown.
But it is beautiful though, especially in the summer when it blooms red flowers.
It is not winter-hardy and it is grown both outdoors and indoors.
It has a blue-green color and clumps in the ground while it grows.
It has a white and yellow teeth and spear-shaped leaves with bumps on the underside.
It is also a favorite for hummingbirds and bloom red flowers during the summer.
It can have toxin components though especially for animals.
This succulent grows up to 8inches and has active growth in spring and fall.
It has a deep gray stem and many fork-like branches.
On each of the branch, fan-shaped leaves will grow.
It will give you red flowers in spring.
It is not winter-hardy.
Do not be mistaken by its beautiful spirals because they are actually sharp.
This succulent can grow up to 12inches and enters active growth in spring and fall.
It may be toxic to pets and people so just be very careful.
It has a green color with scattered light spots.
It also has hard spikes in its edges.
When grown outdoors, it can grow to up to 24inches.
It is not harmful to people but it can be toxic to animals.
If you know the other succulent called Haworthia, their leaves kind of resemble each other.
The only difference is that, this succulent has faster growth.
It has dark green leaves with scattered white bumps with sharp spines at the top.
Its pink flowers are also favorites of bees and hummingbirds.
Soap Aloe (Aloe saponaria) is from the Liliaceae (Lily) family.
It is a perennial evergreen that attracts hummingbirds and does well in a garden pot or container.
It has a stemless rosette with offsets.
Flowers are tubular and red, orange, or yellow.
Soap aloe prefers good drainage and full sun or partial shade.
While leaf tips may wither the plant will be tolerant of drought conditions.
Propagate via separating the offsets.USDA Hardiness Zone of 8b to 11.
6- Anacampseros
It is considered as a dormant succulent because it grows slowly.
It is most distinct with its dark green topped leaves with purple undersides.
It usually grows in clumps and its green leaves will turn red when it experiences happy stress.
It can grow to up to 24inches.
It has a mild, relaxing color with its pink and green leaves forming into rosettes.
Its active growth happens in spring and fall and it can be propagated through cuttings.
It may be harmful to people and animals though.
It is a tall, cylindrical plant with fine spines from top to bottom.
The spines may grow longer so they will look like the hair of old men.
It is one of the easiest cacti to cultivate but in trail form.
It has purple-red flowers and sometimes even orange flowers when in full sun.
It also grows tubers in its base.
Its trailing leaves could grow to up to 36inches and actively grows in spring and fall.
9- Cold Hardy
It is one of the most common and easily recognizable echeveria species.
It is sometimes called hen or chicken but it should not be mistaken with the Sempervivum.
It is also called as the Caucasian stonecrop which is winter-hardy.
It is also a winter-hardy succulent with dark pink and green rosettes.
It is good in covering ground.
It is notable for its large pink, rosettes with green and purple margins.
It has red and green leaves with spikes.
It is also called hens and chicks with purple color during hot and cold seasons.
It is winter-hardy and is good for outdoor gardens.
It is known for its green leaves and purple edges.
It is good for beginners and it is winter-hardy.
It is known for its webbed rosettes and is winter-hardy.
It has green leaves and pink edges and will produce a lot of chicks before it completely dies.
Corpuscularia
Although it is called ice plant, this succulent is not winter-hardy.
It is easy to take care of though that is why it is advisable for beginners in indoor growing.
It has daisy-like flowers that bloom in spring.
From green leaves, the plant can turn to deep red when stressed happily.
It can grow to up to 12inches and it is not winter-hardy.
Crassula
It is a complicated succulent because its stem could really grow tall but stalls when its rosettes grow.
It has attractive pink and red flowers which bloom in spring which attracts butterflies and bees.
This succulent is often found in wreath arrangements.
It is also called curly jade and is one of variants of the jade plant.
It is notable for its wavy and thin leaves.
Like the Tom Thumb, it is also a filler for rocky gardens and is used in succulent arrangements.
It is good for both indoor and outdoor growing and it is also a favorite of butterflies and bees.
It can be harmful for pets and people though.
It is good for growing indoors but needs full sun.
It is non-toxic and okay to grow in winter as long as indoors.
It is sometimes bright green and sometimes it is multi-colored.
This happens when it receives full sun and the bright green becomes pink, deep pink and then cream.
It is one of the most common succulents that are used in wedding bouquets.
It is not winter-hardy and needs full sun.
It is also called by other names such as the jade necklace plant or the baby necklace.
It has thick leaves that hang tightly with the stem and its leaves are deep red in color.
The more it grows taller, the more that it will spill.
This is why it is named as the worm plant.
It will have star-shaped small, pink flowers in the winter.
It will bloom into small, yellow-green flowers in the spring and fall.
Plus, it can be propagated through stem cuttings.
This succulent also comes by the name finger jade.
It has tube-shaped leaves with red tips.
It is good for indoor growing because it grows well even in containers.
It can die of overwatering though.
It is so easy to grow as it can be propagated through leaf and stem cuttings.
It is not winter-hardy.
It can easily be propagated but can be harmful for animals and plants.
It is also called as the necklace vine or the pagoda vine and is classified as a shrub succulent.
It is better to grow it indoors than outdoors.
Its leaves have gray-green leaves with a tinge of pink in the edges when it receives full sun.
It will bloom dull yellow in the spring.
Echeveria
It is called as such because of its large bluish-white rosette with pink edges on the leaves.
It will bloom with orange flowers during summer.
It is not winter-hardy but it is deer resistant.
It may grow tall at a maximum of 24inches and it is not harmful for pets and people.
In the winter, the leaves become flat because it needs more sun.
It is a classic favorite because of its calming purple color and perfect-shaped rosettes.
It becomes all the more beautiful when it starts blooming flowers in spring.
Its flowers are bell-shaped yellow blooms.
It is definitely not winter-hardy though.
It is one of the most accessible succulents to find and one of the most beautiful to be exact.
It also has a purple color with deeper purples in the edge.
It grows better in outdoor gardens.
It has rosettes that grow up to 6inches and it could be propagated through cuttings and leaves.
It has a very distinguishable green to brown rosettes.
It can be grown both indoors and outdoors but its colors will dull out without full sun.
It blooms during winter and fall with a deep red flower.
It is also called wooly rose and is a hybrid echeveria.
It has green leaves with white hair making it look wooly.
When stressed happily, its leaf edges will turn into crimson red.
It is perfect for beginner indoor growers and it is not toxic for animals and people.
It reaches its most attractive state when it is happily stressed.
It is not winter-hardy and it is not harmful for animals and people.
It is one of the favorites of indoor succulent collectors.
In the summer, it will bloom bright orange flowers.
As soon as it reaches 2inches, it will start growing rosettes.
It is not winter-hardy and it can be propagated through the leaves.
It is a dark-green succulent with scattered red spots.
It is notable because the color of its leaves change depending on the amount of sunlight it gets.
It is generally slow-growing and does not really bloom that often.
When it does, however, it will give a red-orange flowers.
This succulent is distinguishable with its long gray-green leaves which grow outward but curl backwards to its rosettes.
It is quick-growing and very easy to propagate through leaves and cuttings.
It typically blooms its orange-yellow flowers in the fall.
The spines can grow very thick covering the surface.
When this happens, only a small portion of green can be visible.
Euphorbia
It looks like a column with green color and up to 15 ribs.
It has spiky stalks in each of the ribs.
Because it grows in clumps, it can be propagated through offsets.
It can be harmful for people and pets, however.
It may have silver to blue-gray color as it grows with pink edges when stressed happily.
It is general tall at 36 inches.
It is also column shaped but is white in color.
It also has dark spikes and deep ribs that may grow straight or bent/wavy.
It is shrubby and grows well outdoors.
Faucaria
It is known for its thick, triangular, green leaves with teeth in its edges.
It got its name from its yellow flowers that only bloom during daytime in the fall and winter.
It can only bloom however when it receives full sun.
It is not advisable for indoor growing.
It is a favorite indoor succulent with white or yellow flowers that only bloom during spring or fall.
Gasteraloe
It is generally a slow-growing succulent with thick leaves.
It is good for beginners and indoor gardeners because it is easy to maintain.
Its leaves have gray spots and it will bloom red or green flowers during late spring.
It is an adorable plant albeit the name and it grows well indoors.
It has small bumps on its green leaves that look like warts, hence, the name.
It is not winter-hardy and it can be toxic to animals and humans.
Graptoveria
It is an Echeveria hybrid and it is distinguishable because its rosettes are shaped like roses.
The tips of its leaves generally have blue-purple color but turns to pink when happily stressed.
It is good in outdoor planting with its rosettes growing to up to 8 inches.
It has a calming effect because of its pink or purple color.
Its rosettes can grow largely to up to 24 inches and is not good for indoor growing.
It is also an Echeveria hybrid with silver-green leaves with red edges when stressed.
In the spring, it may bloom into either pink or white ones.
It can be propagated through leaves and offsets.
Gymnocalycium
It is also called as the mutant cactus and is a hybrid of Gymnocalycium and Hylocereus.
It got its name from its yellow and orange varieties and it can grow up to 12inches.
Haworthia
It is a slow-growing succulent with clumping, dark-green leaves with whitish ribbings.
The leaves are colored pink or purple changing when it is too hot or too cold.
Its long stems can grow tall and its leaves curved.
It is not good for indoor growing.
It is also a slow-growing succulent with bright green leaves with scattered white spots.
It is good for beginners and for indoor growers.
It grows actively during spring and fall.
It is also called Zebra Haworthia which is very good for indoor succulent gardens.
It has dark green leaves, thick and scattered horizontal stripes.
It has rosettes which can grow to up to 8inches.
It has spiral leaves in columns with white bumps.
It has triangle-shaped translucent leaves that bend back to form as rosettes.
It has clumping offsets and shall bloom white flowers in spring and summer.
It is a tall variant with silver leaves with small tube like part like fangs.
It is also called the alligator plant and is good for beginners.
It is so easy to grow and for some, it is even considered as a weed.
That is why they are considered asmother of thousands.
It is like a largeshrub with streaks of purpleand maroon spots.
It has scalloped leaves growing out of thin stems.
In the summer, it will bloom yellow flowers.
It is endemic in the Tugela basin of South Africa.
Also known as the paddle plant because of its flat red leaves.
It can easily be propagated using offsets.
It can be toxic to animals.
Its color is blue-green with thin, circle leaves with a vertical stem.
It may be harmful for pets and humans.
Like the aloe, it is known for its medicinal properties.
It has light green spots with spikes in the outer edges of the leaves.
It may be harmful for pets and people.
Lithops
It is also called as living stones or flowering stones because of its odd shape and colors.
They are slow-growers with huge leaves.
It dies with overwatering.
Mammillaria
It is a good beginner succulent.
It will grow with green or orange clusters depending on the amount of sunlight it gets.
In the spring, it will bloom yellow and pink flowers.
It is a small, circular green cactus with interweaving spikes.
It is propagated easily and it will bloom cream flowers in late spring, fall and winter.
These spikes or feathers usually shade the cactus from too much sunlight.
It is a small, clumping cactus with magenta colored flowers that are longer than all other cacti flowers.
Its spines are sharp though and it may wound pets and children.
Myrtillocactus
It has blue-green crests with a candelabra form.
It is also distinguishable waxy branches.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) is from the Cactaceae (Cactus) family.
It is a perennial evergreen.
There are egg shaped fruits that are edible, tasting like watermelon.
It prefers dry sandy soils, full sun, and can be propagated via seeds or pad rooting.
USDA Hardiness Zone of 5 to 10.
Oreocereus
It is a cylindrical-shaped cacti with fine spikes all over.
Its spikes are yellow-orange, protruding around the cactus.
It needs plenty of sun.
It is known for its cone-shaped rosettes that are lavender in color.
It is easily propagated.
It dies in the winter and comes to life again in spring.
Pachypodium
It is not palm-looking actually.
It has silver stems and long, green leaves that will shed during winter to regrow during spring.
It has toxic components.
Related:Types of palm trees
28.
Pachyveria
It is star-shaped with spiky rosette like jewels.
It also has blue-gray leaves with red tips and peach colored flowers.
Peperomia
It is a good filler because of its trailings.
It is v-shaped with a red stem and when it blooms, it will have yellow-white flowers.
Pleiospilos
It is egg-shaped, split in the middle.
New leaves grow in the split.
It needs water in the winter and summer with orange flowers.
Portulacaria
It is also called the elephant bush, elephant food or dwarf jade.
It has woody stems which can really grow in trailings so it can be used in hanging baskets.
Rhipsalis
It is also called the mistletoe cactus which is good for indoor growing.
It has bright green stems with spiky leaves with red tips.
It has spikes, so be careful.
It is also called as the coral cactus.
Schlumbergera
It is also called as the thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus.
It blooms in between November and January with blooms of pink, red and white colors.
Sedum
It is also called the golden glow because of its small golden rosettes that are football-shaped.
It will have white blossoms in spring.
It is a round succulent with blue-green leaves forming a rosette.
It is good for hanging baskets.
It is a trailing succulent with gray-green leaves.
It is also easily propagated.
It is expected to bloom in late spring and during the winter.
It is a perennial with copper tones when it receives full sunlight.
It is a good succulent cover in rock gardens.
It has woody stems, with short, thick leaves.
It has yellow flowers which bloom in the summer.
It looks like a shrub with green leaves like the ovate.
It may grow tall and blooms yellow star-shaped flowers in spring.
It is also called as jelly beans with bright green leaves and dark red tips when in full sunlight.
Its stem is woody and its blooms are yellow during spring.
It is a colorful sedum variant with light green leaves with pink edges.
Senecio
Its leaves are light green with stems branching out.
It will bloom yellow flowers in the spring.
It is also called as the wooly senecio with fuzzy front and cylindrical white leaves that look like cocoons.
It also has woody stems that form little shrubs.
It is also called as the dolphin necklace and is a rare kind.
It has trails growing down to its stems and produces white blossoms in the fall.
Its leaves are banana-shaped and are rooted in the ground and not in hanging baskets.
They are trailing succulents and are easily propagated.
It is not winter-hardy and is suitable for indoor growing.
It is green in color but will turn to purple when exposed to the sun.
It produces white flowers in the spring.
It is a good filler for arrangements.
It will bloom white flowers in the spring.
Tradescantia
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) is from the Commelinaceae (Spiderwort) family.
This perennial cactus is great for a beginner gardener.
It is a groundcover plant with 1 inch wide leaves that are 3 to 5 inches long.
Propagate via cuttings in sandy soil.
USDA Hardiness Zone of 8 to 11.
Succulents for Northern Gardens
Hardy succulents are perfect drought tolerant plants even in colder regions.
Use these water saving perennials to add interest to the landscape.
Succulents make excellent container gardens and houseplants.
They are also an indispensable addition to the landscape, even in colder regions.
Several varieties of sedum, sempervivum and jovibarba make excellent groundcover because of their dense growth habit.
Other varieties of upright sedum and some yucca add color and texture to perennial gardens.
Foliage texture ranges from fine or spiky leaves to large, fleshy leaves and rosettes.
Foliage color can be grey-green, yellow, burgundy and purple.
Hardy Upright Succulents
Several varieties of sedum do well in northern gardens.
Many have colorful foliage and interesting leaf texture.
Sedum is an herbaceous perennial which means it dies back to the roots each year.
Plant sedum with spring blooming bulbs or perennials.
This will avoid blank spots in the garden while the sedum is coming up.
With a spreading habit and low water needs, they are perfect for borders and rock gardens.
Low growing sedums form mats of foliage which help smother weeds.
All of these come in a multitude of foliage texture and color.
Beautiful flowering succulents
Frequently Asked Questions
Do succulents like full sun or shade?
Just because they are considered as desert plans would not mean that they love the blasting sun all day.
Some succulent species also love partial to full shade.
Should I cut the flowers off my succulents?
Cutting off succulent flowers may be done (but not necessary) after its first blooming period.
Carefully cut the bloom stalks after all the flowers have faded.
After this, you’re free to continue your regular care routine.
The upside of cutting off flowers after the first bloom is a sure annual blooming.
What are the rarest succulents?
Here are the rarest succulents you could find:
Are blue succulents real?
Interestingly, there are two answers to this.
One, there really are fake blue succulents.
Two, there exists real blue succulents.
Their leaves are lacy and more translucent.
On the other hand, there are real blue succulents.
Succulents also turn blue in color when they receive insufficient water and light.
Why is my purple succulent turning green?
There are three possible reasons as to why purple succulents are turning green.
As a matter of fact, changing colors among succulents are generally due to these reasons.
One would be insufficient drainage.
Another reason would be the change in temperature.
Too much humidity or too much cold would turn them to green.
Lack of sunlight will also have an impact on discoloration.
Do succulents like to be touched?
At a general level, no, succulents do not want to be touched.
As such, they will experience discoloration.
Some must not be touched at all because of their white, liquid film on their leaves.
Are black succulents real?
Yes, they are real.
As a matter of fact, the succulent community has a collective name for them: goths.
Here are some black succulents that you could check out.
There are only a handful of them.
Most are cultivars and some are hybrids.
Interestingly, black succulents have become part of the official annual Halloween decorations.
How do I make my succulents colorful?
Discoloration among succulents happen due to changes in temperature, watering and lighting.
But just enough for some time of changing colors or visual display.
They cannot be done permanently as you will kill the succulents in the long haul.
Scientifically, this is because it causes overproduction of carotenoid and anthocyanin which help them retain their color.
Do succulents need lots of water?
Should you mist succulents?
Misting should only be done for newly propagated succulents to help them establish roots.
Misting mature succulents will likely kill them by causing rots.
Succulents thrive in semi deserts with high aridity and humidity.
