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Succulents are taking over! They are everywhere, from indoor gardens all the way to wedding decor. Check out our peek into some of the different succulent plant types out there. Learn about everything from succulent plant care to the varieties fit for each geographical location.
The list is long when it comes to succulents. In fact, there are over 1000 different types of succulents out there! As much as we know you’d love to, unfortunately, we can’t discuss each and every one. We might be here for a while! Let’s dive into the most popular ones out there together. They are popular for a reason…
Indoor and Outdoor Succulent Plant Types
All plants came from the great outdoors, so what’s the catch?
Some plant types need strict growing conditions and they cannot withstand cold changes. Such plants are more suited for indoors. Especially if they are grown outside their original climate.
Succulents are hardy plants that’ll grow just about anywhere. Therefore we made an exception when choosing what’s indoor and outdoor. The major factor is growth. How big will your succulent be and what changes occur during its lifetime are the biggest questions you need to answer.
Our main focus will be the indoor varieties. Why? Simple, they are the best succulent plant varieties to grow! Leave the big, tough and dangerous succulents to the wilderness. However, all of these indoor succulents can be grown outdoors as long as you put in the extra work and you have the right climate.
Feeling limited? Don’t worry! We got you a list of the 11 most popular succulent plant types out there. You are sure to find a plant that catches your interest.
What is a Succulent?
Succulents are a variety of plants that store water in their thick fleshy tissues. The storage tissues are found in the leaves, stems and even the roots of plants. Of course, this differs from plant to plant!
Succulent species such as cacti store their water in their stems as they lack large leaves. But some succulent plant types such as agave have thick fleshy leaves that store moisture. It all depends on the plant!
Cactus
Plant Care Tips
- Loves bright sunlight
- Let the soil dry out between waterings
- Well-draining soil
Cacti are some of the most misunderstood succulent plant types out there. Their rough outlook and spiky defences deter a lot of plant lovers. But trust us on this; the cacti are wonderful indoor plants. Just remember that all cacti are also succulents!
Cacti come in various shapes and sizes. However, when it comes to succulent plant care, the smaller varieties are the best. They are easy to grow and hardy enough to survive almost anything. Thousands of years of harsh adaptions have made the cactus a living rock!
A few of the more popular cactus varieties are also the Christmas and the Mistletoe Cactus. These cacti have unique physical features. A good example is the Mistletoe Cactus, which grows like a vine and is a rarity among cacti.
If you are looking for something more minimalistic, the Candelabra Cactus could be for you. They are a very popular alternative to the Christmas plant and would fit right in.
Euphorbias
Plant Care Tips
- More sun the better
- Do not overwater
- Lighten up the humidity to reduce stem rot
Euphorbias is the long lost brother of the cactus! They look the same but with a few key differences. However, originating from the tropics, these succulent plant types are well adapted to survive hot climates. A Euphorbias would love to bask in the English sun!
The major difference between cacti and euphorbias is the lack of areoles. They are also a bit sensitive to excessive watering. If you waterlog the soil, there is a high chance that the plant may catch root rot. However, the Euphorbia is a very tough character amongst succulent plant types.
We just love the Coral Cactus! If you are on the hunt for a Euphorbia, we highly recommend this variety. They are beautifully coloured with unique lettuce like tops. Prop them in a coloured pot and bam! You got yourself a cheerful desk companion.
Peperomia
Plant Care Tips
- Weekly waterings - bottom watering is preferred*
- Mist the plant to keep it happy
- Avoid direct sunlight
Peperomia’s are a tropical delight! We can break them down into two main groups, one’s that trail and those that don't! These almost-succulent plant types are extremely popular amongst urban growers because of their potential as hanging plants.
However, Peperomia aren’t actual succulents, they are what we call succulent-like plants. They are hardy, but unlike true succulents, they prefer humid environments with indirect sunlight.
Peperomia’s have waxy leaves with a glossy shine to them. The foliage is the main attraction of the Peperomia, a trait that is shared with most other plants in this category.
Why did we include this? Because it is a wonderful plant that has all the “good” characteristics of a true succulent. Their popularity speaks volumes.
*Bottom watering is when you sit the plant pot in a dish filled with water and let the plant soak it up from the bottom.
Hoya
Plant Care Tips
- Do not overwater as it is susceptible to root-rot
- The vine grows fast, trim it down!
The Hoya is a peculiar vine from the tropical lands of Asia and Australia. Some Hoya’s are woody, whereas others fall into our category of tropical succulent plant types. These vines are climbers where they make their home upon the branches of trees. In the late winters, Hoyas flower in clusters that give off a strong scent.
Hoya’s make great houseplants. The foliage of Hoyas is often variegated with beautiful patterns and colour combinations. However, a good balance of light is needed to maintain these variegations as low light conditions cause the leaves to revert back to green.
The vines are adapted to the shade of trees and prefer indirect sunlight. They can tolerate bright light, but the risk of foliage burns are high. Make sure to trim it down!
ZZ Plants
Plant Care Tips
- Not pet friendly
- Slow grower
- Water sparingly
A bizarre name for such a sweet plant! The ZZ Plant is a succulent from the lands of Africa. You can see these plants in abundance amongst the groves of Kenya. They are tough enough to go on for weeks without water, the ZZ plant is a warrior!
The ZZ plant’s main attraction is its foliage. They have large deep green leaves that glisten in the morning sun. When the ZZ plant is stocked up on water, these leaves will take a waxy outlook. Being one of the easiest succulent plant varieties to grow, they are hugely popular in commercial interior design.
Strict succulent plant care is non-existent for the ZZ Plant. You can easily miss a watering or two and the plant will remain healthy as ever. They can bear the scorching sun and survive in low light when necessary. They’ll thrive in any potting soil you plant it in!
Snake Plants (Sansevieria)
Plant Care Tips
- Prefers Indirect Light
- Loose Potting soil
- Don’t overwater
I doubt this is the first time you’ve heard about the mysterious Snake Plants. These plants are fondly referred to as being indestructible! They originate from the tropics of West Africa where survival of the fittest is at its peak.
The leaves of the Snake Plant are long and sword-like. Most succulent plant varieties of the Snake plant have dark green leaves with variegations. A yellow-tinted border is quite common. The contrasting patterns gives the Snake plant its spark!
Snake Plants are incredibly tough! They can survive in both low and intense light but prefer the shade. When it comes to succulent plant care, weekly watering should keep your plant in top shape.
Jade Plant
Plant Care Tips
- Provide full sun
- Avoid Wetting the leaves as they are prone to rot
- Water well during the flowering season
It’s almost as if you have a mini-tree inside your home! These succulent plant types live for generations and families even pass them down as a tradition. This slow-grower can reach up to three feet when grown indoors. The Jade Plant is a wonderful commitment that’ll test the sands of time.
Jade plants have thick woody stems that branch out to hold their round plump leaves. A mature Jade plant looks very similar to a woody tree. They are very popular amongst bonsai enthusiasts because of their aesthetic nature.
Aloe Vera
Plant Care Tips
- Well Draining potting mix
- Bright sunlight
- Water when the top layer of soil dries out
The Aloe Vera is sacred and prized by cultures worldwide. Renowned for its healing properties, the Aloe Vera makes a wonderful houseplant. They are easy to grow and multiply! You can breed yourself a family of Aloes with one single plant in no time. When it comes it home growing, the Aloe Vera is one of the most useful succulent plant varieties to grow.
Unlike most succulent plant types, the Aloe Vera does not have a visible stem. The plant is 100% foliage and it's glorious! The thick leaves of Aloe Vera spread out from their base similar to a flower in bloom.
This plant might come in handy one day! It can help alleviate everything from sunburns to bacterial infections. When it comes to succulent plant care, water and direct light are all it needs.
Sedum
Plant Care Tips
- Well draining potting mix
- Full sun but not hot summer sun. Move slightly away from direct summer sun
- Avoid thick clay soil as it kills the roots.
A flowering succulent is a rarity and this makes the Sedum even more attractive. Natives call them “ Stone Crops” as they are as tough as stone! These succulent plant types will produce clusters of starry flowers that will brighten up your garden like no other.
Succulent plant varieties that go in the Sedum family grow fast. These perennial plants are loved by bees and other pollinators, too. The flowers of the Sedum are brightly coloured taking shades of white, yellow and red. They even have a strong sweet smell that’ll make any gloomy day a tad bit better!
Agave
Plant Care tips
- Prefers well-draining potting mix
- Do not allow water to retain between their leaves as it can bring infections
- Full sun
- Water when the soil feels dry to the touch
Agave is one of the most useful succulent plant types in the world! They have a long history with humans that encompass everything from paper to alcohol. To top off the list, they also make tough yet attractive houseplants. This Mexican oldie lives for decades under proper care.
The leaves of the Agave are strikingly large. They take a bluish-green tint that’s crusted with a watery white powder. For the Agave, succulent plant care is all about the leaves. Keep the foliage in good shape and your little buddy will flourish!
They take also decades to flower. If you have the patience and the willpower coupled with diligent succulent plant care, maybe you too could see your beloved Agave flower! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most!
That’s all, Folks!
Succulents handle the sun incredibly well. The plants on our list will survive the summer outdoors with ease. However, it’s a different story when it comes to cold weather. Succulents are not adapted to fight the cold. If you leave them about in the frost, your beloved plant will end up as a popsicle. So, always remember to shift them into your warm indoors during the winter months.
More the merrier! The succulent plant types on our list are all very easy to grow. You can group a dozen of them together and make your very own succulent garden. It’ll look magnificent! Give these tough little guys a chance and watch your home or garden evolve into something brand new.
