31 Types of Succulents Worth Growing

By
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani
Nadia Hassani

Nadia Hassani is a a Penn State Master Gardener with nearly 20 years of experience in landscaping, garden design, and vegetable and fruit gardening.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 02/28/23
Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Donkey's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Moonstone Images / Getty Images

Many of the more than 10,000 different types of succulents live up to their reputation of being low-maintenance plants, though some succulents need more care and are a bit more finicky to grow than others.

Here are 31 popular types of succulents, both houseplants and outdoor plants, that are easy to care for. Succulents grown as houseplants should be planted in potting mix specially formulated for succulents, or cacti, palms, and citrus trees, or in light, fast-draining indoor potting mix.

Tip

Because succulents don’t like overwatering, it is important to know how often you should water your succulents. And if your succulent shows signs of stress, find out how to revive a dying succulent.

  • 01 of 31

    Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

    Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

    OlgaMiltsova / Getty Images

    The fleshy, oval leaves and thick, woody stems of this houseplant resemble tiny tree trunks. It grows slowly, about 2 inches per year, but can get up 3 and 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Jade can be toxic to pets.

    • Light: Bright indirect sunlight
    • Water needs: Moderate
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  • 02 of 31

    Silver Dollar Plant (Crassula arborescens)

    Silver Dollar Plant (Crassula arborescens)

    HHelene / Getty Images

    This Crassula species is a multi-stemmed indoor shrub growing up to 4 feet tall. It has rounded blue-gray leaves with maroon edges. It is toxic to pets.

    • Light: Bright indirect light
    • Water needs: Low
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  • 03 of 31

    Donkey's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

    Donkey's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

    Moonstone Images / Getty Images

    With its rows of fleshy, tear-drop shaped blue-green leaves, this is a good choice for hanging plants indoors. It can reach trailing lengths of up to 4 feet but the average length is around 24 inches.

    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Water needs: Low
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  • 04 of 31

    Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans)

    Mexican Snowballs (Echeveria elegans)

    Warunporn Thangthongtip / Getty Images

    This rosette-shaped succulent with thick, fleshy blue-green to silver-green leaves can be grown as a houseplant or as a garden plant. It grows up to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water needs: Low
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  • 05 of 31

    Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg'

    Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg'

    panida wijitpanya / Getty Images

    It’s the striking color change that makes this echeveria hybrid so popular as a houseplant. The solitary rosette of paddle-shaped, pastel leaves has a dusty, muted grayish color in low light that turns bright purple and pink in direct sun.

    • Light: Bright light
    • Water needs: Low
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  • 06 of 31

    String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

    String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

    Dima Berlin / Getty Images

    For a hanging basket, either indoors or outdoors, consider this trailing Senecio variety with dangling stems of round leaves. It can reach a length of 3 to 5 feet if you let it grow.

    • USDA zone: 9-12
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
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  • 07 of 31

    Candelabra Cactus ingens (Euphorbia ingens)

    Candelabra Cactus (Euphorbia ingens)

    hanohiki / Getty Images

    The name of this plant comes from the dark green, four-lobed stems and a columnar growth structure that branches out as the plant matures. Indoors, it reaches 8 to 10 feet in heigh, outdoors it can grow to a towering 40 feet. It is toxic to humans and pets.

    • USDA zone: 10-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water needs: Low
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  • 08 of 31

    Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

    Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

    Malcolm / Getty Images

    If you are looking for a succulent with almost year-round bloom, this is it. The plant has thick, bright green leaves and showy bracts in red, orange, pink, yellow, or white but also thorns. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall outdoors, and 2 feet maximum indoors. It is toxic to humans and pets.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Soil: Well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
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  • 09 of 31

    Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

    Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

    Carlina Teteris Getty Images

    Even though it may take years for it to develop its spiky flowers, the fleshy lance-shape leaves with jagged edges make this an attractive houseplant. Aloe vera grows 12 to 36 inches tall. It is toxic to pets.

    • Light: Bright natural light
    • Water Needs: Water regularly except during dormancy
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  • 10 of 31

    Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

    Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

    Rosmarie Wirz / Getty Images

    In cold climates, Christmas cactus is usually grown as a houseplant, but you can bring it outdoors during the summer. It has fleshy flattened leaves that are slightly serrated on each side. The vibrant flowers of this holiday plant provide a welcome splash of color during the winter.

    • USDA zone: 10-12
    • Light: Partial shade or diffused light
    • Soil: Loamy, moist, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Moderate
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  • 11 of 31

    Chocolate Soldier Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

    Chocolate Soldier Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

    TatianaMironenko / Getty Images

    The pale-green leaves of this houseplant are covered with grayish-white fuzz and rimmed with chocolate brown spots. It can grow up to 2 feet tall. The plant is toxic to pets.

    • Light: Bright indirect light
    • Water Needs: Low
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  • 12 of 31

    Flapjack (Kalanchoe luciae)

    Flapjack (Kalanchoe luciae)

    Nahhan / Getty Images

    Because of the paddle- or clam-like shape of its leaves, this plant is also known as the paddle plant. It can be grown as a houseplant or outdoors, growing 1 to 2 feet tall and spreading in wide rosette clusters of 2 to 3 feet. It is toxic to pets.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Soil: Loamy, sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 13 of 31 below.
  • 13 of 31

    Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

    Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

    Veena Nair / Getty Images

    Its repeated bloom is one of the reasons why this is a popular houseplant, which is on the smaller size with 6 to 18 inches in height and width. The flower clusters extend above the scallop-shaped leaves. It is toxic to pets.

    • Light: Bright natural light
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 14 of 31 below.
  • 14 of 31

    Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

    Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

    SzB / Getty Images

    The tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem makes this look like a palm but it’s a succulent that can be grown outdoors or indoors, where is stays much smaller, about 6 to 8 feet in height.

    • USDA zone: 10-11
    • Light: Full sun, bright indirect light indoors
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 15 of 31 below.
  • 15 of 31

    Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

    Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

    Adam Yee / Getty Images

    Nearly indestructible is a common description used for this houseplant with stiff, sword-like leaves. It can reach up to 8 feet in height but it’s a slow grower. The plant is toxic to pets.

    • Light: Indirect light with some direct sun
    • Water Needs: Low
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  • 16 of 31

    Zebra Haworthia's (Haworthia fasciata)

    Zebra Haworthia's (Haworthia fasciata)

    WhiteLacePhotography / Getty Images

    The thick dark green leaves with horizontal white stripes gave this houseplant plant its name. Like most Haworthias, this is a small plant, reaching only 5 to 8 inches in height.

    • Light: Bright light near an east- or west-facing window
    • Water Needs: Low
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  • 17 of 31

    Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)

    Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)

    Michele Cipriano / Getty Images

    If you grow this plant, which got its name from the many baby plantlets that grow along the edges of its serrated leaves, as a houseplant, you might not see it bloom. Outdoors, it develops dangling pinkish-gray flowers after a few years. The mature size is 3 feet. The plant is toxic to pets.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full sun, partial shade outdoors, indirect light indoors
    • Soil: Well-drained
    • Water Needs: Needs regular watering
    Continue to 18 of 31 below.
  • 18 of 31

    Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea)

    Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea)

    Tatiana Terekhina / Getty Images

    This small houseplant—it only grows 10 inches tall—can be grown in a pot or as an air plant. Its large, long-lasting, showy pink bracts resemble ink quills. They start out pink and turn green over time.

    • Light: Partial sun in east or west-facing window
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 19 of 31 below.
  • 19 of 31

    Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

    Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

    seven75 / Getty Images

    In a warm climate, you can grow this low-growing succulent outdoors, otherwise as a potted houseplant. It has whiteish-grey pointed leaves and trailing rosette form, 6 to 12 inches tall. The rosettes take a blue-gray hue in partial shade or a pinkish-yellow tone in full sun.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full to partial sun, south- or east-facing window
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 20 of 31 below.
  • 20 of 31

    Jelly Bean Succulents (Sedum rubrotinctum)

    Jelly Bean Succulents (Sedum rubrotinctum)

    Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images

    When grown as a potted houseplant, this cute low-growing sedum that is native to Mexico is more contained than outdoors where it sprawls so it can be planted as a groundcover.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 21 of 31 below.
  • 21 of 31

    Living Stones (Lithops spp.)

    Living Stones (Lithops)

    kazumi miyamoto / Getty Images

    In warm climates, these ground-hugging succulents from Africa can be grown outdoors. In cold climates, plant them in pots so you can bring them indoors for the winter. There are many different types of living stones, which all grow extremely slowly.

    • USDA zone: 10-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 22 of 31 below.
  • 22 of 31

    Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

    Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

    Maksims Grigorjevs / Getty Images

    One of the hardiest succulents, hens and chicks can be planted outdoors in a wide climate range. They also make good potting plants, but there is no need to bring them indoors for the winter.

    • USDA zone: 3-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 23 of 31 below.
  • 23 of 31

    Parry’s Agave (Agave parryi)

    Parry’s Agave (Agave parryi)

    sigurcamp / Getty Images

    This handsome agave for outdoor settings has slate gray-bluish rosettes. It has a clump-forming growth habit and grows up to 3 feet in height. The flower stalk can reach up to 20 feet. 

    • USDA zone: 7-10
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Moderate
    Continue to 24 of 31 below.
  • 24 of 31

    Propeller Plant (Senecio crassissimus)

    Propeller Plant (Senecio crassissimus)

    DESIGNOSAURUS / Getty Images

    While other Senecio varieties are not cold-hardy, this type can handle some frost. It has bluish, flattened leaves on an upright plant that grows 18 to 24 inches tall and wide.

    • USDA zone: 10-11
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 25 of 31 below.
  • 25 of 31

    Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Hylotelephium telephium ‘Autumn Joy’)

    Stonecrop 'Autumn Joy'

    By Eve Livesey / Getty Images

    One of the most popular sedums for landscaping, this stonecrop (which was previously classified as a sedum) has gray-green, rounded, succulent-like leaves. The plant, which grows up to 2 feet tall, blooms in the late summer to fall with tiny, pink, star-shaped flowers.

    • USDA zone: 3-9
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 26 of 31 below.
  • 26 of 31

    Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina')

    Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina')

    speakingtomato / Getty Images

    This groundcover sedum forms a low-growing mat with tiny yellow flowers throughout the summer. In the fall, the foliage turns an orange rust color. It can be grown in containers but it does not need to be overwintered indoors.

    • USDA zone: 5-9
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Soil: Well-drained
    • Water Needs: Moderate
    Continue to 27 of 31 below.
  • 27 of 31

    Hardy Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

    Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

    Dee Carpenter Photography / Getty Images

    The name is a bit misleading—most ice plants are warm-climate perennials. Hardy ice plant is a species at the more cold-hardy end of the spectrum. It grows only 3 to 6 inches tall and has magenta flowers.

    • USDA zone: 6-10
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 28 of 31 below.
  • 28 of 31

    Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

    Eastern Prickly Pear (Opunitia humifusa)

    douglascraig / Getty Images

    One of the most popular prickly pear species for outdoors is also one of the hardiest. Eastern prickly pear is a sprawling, ground-hugging cactus that grows up to 12 inches tall and wide. It produces yellow flowers with an orange or red center from May through July. 

    • USDA zone: 4-9
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 29 of 31 below.
  • 29 of 31

    Giant Chalk Dudleya (Dudleya brittonii)

    Giant Chalk Dudleya (Dudleya brittonii)

     zhuclear / Getty Images

    The 12- to 18-inch wide, whitish blue-green rosette is an eye catcher in any landscape. This is a non-branching Dudleya variety that produces a tall, vibrant red stalk and bright yellow flowers when in bloom.

    • USDA zone: 9-10
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Sandy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low
    Continue to 30 of 31 below.
  • 30 of 31

    Tree Aeonium (Aeonium arboretum)

    Tree Aeonium (Aeonium arboretum)

    Sundry Photography / Getty Images

    With its bright green rosettes on a branching stem, the growth habit of this tall succulent is more like a shrub than a tree. In a warm climate, you can plant it outdoors where it will grow to about 6 feet. In colder climate, plant it in a container so you can overwinter it indoors. Potted plants max out at a height of about 3 feet.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Sandy loam, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Moderate
    Continue to 31 of 31 below.
  • 31 of 31

    African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)

    African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona)

    Shapla Khatun / Getty Images

    Although you can grow it as a houseplant, due to its vigorous growth (1 to 2 feet per year), an outdoor setting works better for this lush plant. It is toxic to humans and pets.

    • USDA zone: 9-11
    • Light: Partial sun
    • Soil: Loamy, well-drained
    • Water Needs: Low

Tip

If you are unsure which succulent will do well in your indoor or outdoor space, read more about how much light succulents need, or how to pick out grow lights for succulents. 

How to Grow Succulents

 

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Jade plant. ASPCA.

  2. Chinese Jade. ASPCA.

  3. Pencil Cactus. ASPCA.

  4. Toxic Plants. University of California.

  5. Crown of Thorns. Pet Poison Helpline.

  6. Aloe. ASPCA.

  7. Kalanchoe. ASPCA.

  8. Snake Plant. ASPCA.