12 Best Succulents for Outdoors
Outdoor succulents are your best friends to create a stunning succulent garden. Their fleshy leaves and hardy nature make them perfect for growing them outdoors.
How To Select Succulent For Outdoor
Growing succulents outdoors can be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to consider your local climate and conditions. Here are a few tips for selecting the perfect outdoor succulent:
- Climate Compatibility: Ensure the succulent you choose is suitable for your climate. Some succulents are more cold-hardy, while others thrive in hot and arid conditions.
- Sunlight Requirements: Different succulents have varying sunlight needs. Others do best in some shade, while some prefer the full sun. Be sure to match the succulent's requirements with the sun exposure in your garden.
- Watering Needs: Succulents are known for their water-storing abilities, but they still need proper drainage. Choose succulents that can tolerate your local rainfall patterns.
- Soil Type: Well-draining soil is crucial for outdoor succulent plants. Consider making your garden soil suitable for succulents with sand or perlite to improve drainage.
Here are some of the best succulent suggestions with various species that'll add beauty and charm to your garden:
- Echeveria
- Sedum
- Agave
- Sempervivum
- Aloe
- Aeonium
- Kalanchoe
- Cactus
- Crassula
- Senecio
- Euphorbia
- Dudleya
1. Echeveria
Image by workingDOG from Pixabay
Echeverias are a diverse genus of succulent plants known for their rosette-shaped, fleshy leaves. There are numerous species and hybrids. These succulents are perfect for adding color and texture to your outdoor succulent garden.
Some popular varieties of Echeveria include Perle von Nürnberg, Echeveria 'Lola,' Echeveria elegans, Echeveria Black Prince, Echeveria Violet Queen, and Echeveria Dusty Rose.
Characteristics: Echeverias are hardy succulents that thrive in full sunlight. These succulents come in various shades of green, blue, purple, and even pink. They are relatively low-maintenance and can be grown both in containers and directly in the ground.
Where to buy: Amazon
2. Sedum
Image by I Bautista from Pexels
Also known as Stonecrops, Sedums are a large group of succulent plants with diverse appearances. They range from low, ground-hugging varieties to taller, upright growers.
These easy-to-grow outdoor succulents offer different foliage colors, and many produce vibrant flowers in late summer.
For outdoor, White Sedums are a popular choice as they are great for ground-covering. Sedum Donkey's Tails are great for trailing. Some other common Sedums include Sedum Burrito, Sedum Dragon's Blood, and Sedum Purple Emperor.
Characteristic: Sedum is also a hardy succulent that can tolerate various climates and soil conditions. They are excellent choices for rock gardens, borders, and container gardening. These succulents are known for their heat and drought resistance.
Where to buy: Amazon
3. Agave
Image by Walter Frehner from Pixabay
Another hardy succulent for outdoor is Agave. They are striking succulents with rosettes of thick, spiky leaves. They are known for their architectural beauty and come in various sizes and shapes.
Some popular and best Agave species include Agave americana, Agave Blue Flame, Agave tequilana (used to make tequila), Parry's Agave, etc.
Characteristic: Agaves are incredibly hardy outdoor succulents that thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. These low-maintenance plants can be a focal point in your succulent garden due to their unique appearance.
Where to buy: Etsy
4. Sempervivum
Image by Mian Rizwan from Pexels
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks) is one of the most popular succulents for outdoor gardens. They are low-growing rosette-forming succulents that produce chicks or offshoots around the main hen plant.
Characteristics: Hens and chicks can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F (-34.4°C) and are incredibly hardy. They can grow in some shade but prefer full sun. These succulents are perfect for ground cover and rock gardens.
5. Aloe
Image by Cintia Siqueira from Pexels
Aloes, with their fleshy, spiky leaves arranged in rosettes, resemble agaves but boast unique qualities. These succulents are renowned for their dazzling, regular blooms. The blossoms come in a range of colors: orange, red, or often bicolor.
Characteristics: From small to tree-like, Aloes come in various sizes, and they prefer more water compared to other succulents.
Aloe vera is the most common species. There are, however, many other Aloe varieties with unique leaf shapes and colors, for instance, Aloe africana, Aloe plicatilis, and Aloe striata.
6. Aeonium
Image by 🌸♡💙♡🌸 Julita 🌸♡💙♡🌸 from Pixabay
Aeoniums are captivating rosette-forming succulents that come in a variety of striking shapes and colors. Aeonium arboreum, also known as the Black Rose, features dark burgundy leaves arranged in rosettes. Aeonium haworthii, on the other hand, boasts green leaves with striking white variegation.
Characteristics: Aeoniums thrive in mild, Mediterranean-like climates. They prefer partial to full sun and well-draining soil. These succulents can grow as low mounds or tall, branching shrubs, making them versatile additions to your outdoor succulent garden. Their unique growth habits and colors provide visual interest year-round.
7. Kalanchoe
Image by Vijayalakshmi Nidugondi from Unsplash
With a burst of color, Kalanchoe can bring new dimensions to your outdoor succulent garden! These lovelies are famous for their vibrant, showy flowers that come in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow. The thick, fleshy leaves provide a delightful contrast to the blossoms.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, for instance, is the most popular one for its clusters of small, colorful blooms, while Kalanchoe tomentosa, often known as Panda Plant due to its fuzzy appearance, features silvery leaves with chocolate-brown borders.
Characteristic: Kalanchoes like indirect sunlight but can tolerate some direct sun. They're relatively low-maintenance. They can handle some periods of neglect, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
8. Cactus
Image by Hassan Alarady from Pixabay
Cactus are the quintessential symbol of the desert. These succulents come in an astounding array of shapes and sizes.
With their spiky appearance, they are available in a wide variety of species. From the iconic Saguaro cactus with its towering presence to the petite Bunny Ear cactus with its flattened pads resembling rabbit ears, there's a cactus for every garden style.
Characteristic: Cacti are incredibly resilient outdoor succulents. They adore full sun and well-draining soil, making them perfect for arid landscapes. Their low water requirements and striking forms allow them to serve as captivating focal points or blend seamlessly into your outdoors.
Where to buy: Amazon
9. Crassula
Image by Lucie Hošová from Unsplash
Crassulas are charming succulents with a wide array of species and shapes. The Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) is perhaps the most well-known among these. It is characterized by its thick, oval-shaped leaves and tree-like growth habit.
Other Crassula species, such as Crassula Argentea or String of Buttons, have slender stems adorned with button-like foliage.
Characteristic: Crassulas are adaptable and can thrive in various outdoor conditions. These succulents work well as potted plants, in rock gardens, or as low hedges. The Jade Plant, in particular, is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
10. Senecio
Image by Andrea Macias from Unsplash
Senecio is a genus encompassing diverse succulent species. One of the most popular varieties is Senecio mandraliscae, known for its striking blue-gray foliage. Senecio serpens, commonly called Blue Chalksticks, features slender, cylindrical leaves that resemble sticks of chalk.
Characteristic: Senecio are relatively low-maintenance succulent plants. They do best in soil that drains well and indirect sunlight. Their unique colors and textures make them an excellent choice for adding contrast when you are growing succulents outdoors. Senecio mandraliscae, in particular, creates a dramatic visual impact with its cool blue hues.
11. Euphorbia
Image by Thanasis Papazacharias from Pixabay
Euphorbia encompasses a vast group of succulents, including the popular Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly referred to as Pencil Cactus. Euphorbia lactea, or Candelabra Cactus, resembles a branching candelabra with segmented stems and spines. Another popular one is Euphorbia Pulcherrima.
Characteristic: Euphorbias are hardy outdoor succulents that can handle various conditions. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Be cautious with the sap, as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
Euphorbias are known for their peculiar shapes and often striking coloration. These succulents bring uniqueness to your garden, and their diverse forms allow for creative landscaping and design possibilities.
Where to buy: Etsy
12. Dudleya
Image by Martin Hetto from Pixabay
Dudleya succulents are native to North America and are known for their stunning, chalky, bluish-green leaves. Dudleya brittonii, commonly called Giant Chalk Dudleya, forms large rosettes with powdery leaves. Dudleya farinosa, or Bluff Lettuce, features delicate, pale green rosettes.
Characteristics: Dudleyas are well-suited for any outdoor succulent garden in coastal regions with mild temperatures. They thrive in full sun and well-draining, rocky soil.
These drought-tolerant succulents are a great choice for adding a touch of elegance and a sense of place to your garden, especially if you live in a coastal or desert environment.
Where to buy: Etsy
Conclusion
Now that you've met these fantastic outdoor succulent plants, it's time to choose the ones that resonate with your garden vision. Whether you go for the diverse Sedum, the striking Agave, the elegant Echeveria, or the soothing Aloe, your succulent garden will thrive with these outdoor beauties.
