How to Choose Succulents

Co-authored by Ryan Glynn, CPA and Amber Crain

Last Updated: November 17, 2021 References

Succulents are popular with plant-lovers because they're beautiful, unique, and relatively low maintenance. There are more than 10,000 known species in the world, though, so it can be tough to figure out where to start. Don't worry—we've researched the topic thoroughly for you! In this article, we'll focus on 12 popular, easy-to-grow succulents that you might consider for your home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 12:
Jade plant

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Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are super easy to grow! They're happy growing indoors or outdoors, and may get several feet tall over time.^{[1]
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Research source} For care, just keep your jade plant in full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily) and let the soil dry out between waterings.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.}
- Jade plants have stocky stems with thick, glossy green leaves. If you give them plenty of sunlight, the leaves may develop a pretty red color around the edges.
- New owners tend to over-water their jade plants, so make sure the soil is dry to the touch before watering it.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 12:
Aloe vera

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Aloe is a hardy, tolerant succulent that beginners will love. Aloe plants are easy-going, attractive, and practical house plants. To thrive, they prefer bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and a thorough watering every 2 weeks.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.} If you occasionally forget a watering, your aloe won't mind! It may stop growing temporarily if it doesn't get enough light, but it won't die on you.^{[5]
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- Bonus: the gel inside aloe leaves can be applied topically to soothe irritated skin and mild burns.

Method 3

Method 3 of 12:
Burro's tail

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Burro's tail grows best in hanging baskets. Sedum morganianum (Burro's tail or Donkey's tail) is a low maintenance succulent with long stems and tiny, green-gray leaves.^{[6]
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Research source} It looks gorgeous trailing from a hanging basket or dangling over a ledge! It makes an excellent house plant since it's not particularly finicky—it prefers bright light and only needs water when the soil feels dry to the touch.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.}
- Burro's tail rarely blooms, but pink or red flowers sometimes appear at the very end of the stems during the summertime.

Method 4

Method 4 of 12:
Agave

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Agave are big, hardy succulents that grow best outdoors. Agave plants can get up to 12 ft (3.7 m) tall so give them plenty of room in a prominent area of your garden. The leaves alone, which are blue-green and blade-like, can grow up to 6 ft (1.8 m) long! Agave thrives in full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily) but it won't mind partial shade.^{[8]
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- The foliage has sharp edges so handle your agave plant with care.

Method 5

Method 5 of 12:
Dragon's blood

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Low-growers like Dragon's blood are great for groundcover. Sedum spurium (Dragon's blood) is a hardy, low-maintenance evergreen that tends to thrive in most climates. If your garden has large, open, sunny areas where nothing seems to grow well, a low-growing succulent might be the perfect solution!^{[9]
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- Dragon's blood prefers direct sun and warmer winters, but it can withstand cold temperatures, too.

Method 6

Method 6 of 12:
Snake plant

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These hardy plants can survive almost anything! If you travel a lot for work, your snake plant won't mind—it can withstand weeks of inadequate light and water conditions without losing its looks. It prefers medium to bright light, though, and does appreciate a little water when the soil feels dry to the touch.^{[10]
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- Snake plants have thick, stiff, pointed leaves that grow straight up. They're also easy to divide and repot if you want more of them.

Method 7

Method 7 of 12:
Pink ice plant

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Pink ice plants will reward you with bright pink blooms all summer. Pink ice plants (Delosperma cooperi) are great outdoor succulents and make excellent groundcover since they only get about 6 in (15 cm) tall. The vibrant pink blooms look gorgeous against the plant's green, smooth-textured leaves. A cluster of them will create a beautiful carpet of color in your garden.^{[11]
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- Pink ice plants prefer bright, direct sunlight, but they'll tolerate light shade.

Method 8

Method 8 of 12:
Panda plant

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The slow-growing panda plant is happiest near a bright window. Panda plants (Kalanchoe tomentosa) have fuzzy, gray-green leaves covered with soft, silver hairs. They're happiest indoors and can eventually grow to a height of 2 ft (61 cm) tall, but they tend to grow very slowly. To keep your panda plant happy, place it near a bright window and let the soil dry out between waterings.^{[12]
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- Water your panda plant carefully at the base and avoid getting water on the foliage. Getting the leaves wet can cause them to rot.

Method 9

Method 9 of 12:
Baby necklace

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These versatile plants can be groundcover or grown in baskets. Baby necklace (Crassula rupestris x perforata) has long, thin stems and disc-shaped, red-tinged leaves. Baby necklace can get up to 12 in (30 cm) tall and the trailing stems look lovely creeping across the ground or cascading from a hanging basket. These succulents prefer full sun but are fine with partial shade, too.^{[13]
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- Baby necklace may also reward you with tiny white flowers in late spring!

Method 10

Method 10 of 12:
Christmas cactus

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Grow this succulent indoors to enjoy its beautiful winter blooms. Don't let the word "cactus" scare you—these plants don't have sharp spines! Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) have flat, fleshy, green stems that can get up to 12 in (30 cm) long. Keep your cactus in a bright window where it gets indirect light and water it whenever the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil dries out.^{[14]
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- These succulents usually bloom in early December, which is how they got their name.^{[15]
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Method 11

Method 11 of 12:
Zebra hawthoria

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Zebra hawthoria are small, easy-going, and low maintenance. Zebra hawthoria (Haworthia fasciata) looks exotic with its striking stripes and spiky foliage, but it's quite popular and very easy to grow indoors. Place it in a bright window where it can get a few hours of indirect sunlight a day and let the soil dry out completely between waterings
- Zebra hawthoria work great in terrariums since they only get about 5 in (13 cm) tall.

Method 12

Method 12 of 12:
Angelina

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Grow Angelina outdoors for lovely yellow blooms in the summer. Angelina (Sedum rupestre) features needle-shaped, fuzzy-looking stalks that are yellow or light green in color. They only get about 6 in (15 cm) tall and make interesting groundcover with their cheerful yellow flowers. Angelina can withstand winter temperatures and tend to thrive in full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily).^{[16]
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Community Q&A

Question

Should I water my indoor succulents in the winter?

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Ryan Glynn is a Plant Specialist, Interiorscaper, and the Founder of Chicago Plants, LLC. He specializes in houseplant care, interior plant-scaping, and gardening. Ryan and Chicago Plants have been featured in several media outlets such as TimeOut Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Ryan holds a BBA and Master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ryan Glynn, CPA

Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper

Expert Answer

During the winter months, when your succulents aren't receiving as much sunlight, water them no more than once a month.
Question

Can succulents live in a bathroom without a window?

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Ryan Glynn is a Plant Specialist, Interiorscaper, and the Founder of Chicago Plants, LLC. He specializes in houseplant care, interior plant-scaping, and gardening. Ryan and Chicago Plants have been featured in several media outlets such as TimeOut Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Ryan holds a BBA and Master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ryan Glynn, CPA

Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper

Expert Answer

Not really. Succulents are native to deserts, and they really need a bright light environment in which they're going to be receiving, if not full sun, very bright, indirect sun. That's going to be probably the biggest factor in terms of keeping your succulent healthy.

Warnings

Watch out for toxic varieties like Euphorbia lactea (Mottled Spurge), Euphorbia tiruacalli (Firestick, Pencil Cactus), and Kalanchoe tomentosa (Chandelier Plant) if you have pets or kids.

Thanks!
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