Succulents are wonderful plants to care for, but sometimes their management can be tricky.
Overwatering and underwatering are serious problems with succulents, so if you are new to succulent care it’s important to get succulent plants that are a bit more forgiving.
Here are the 10 easiest succulent plants to keep alive.
Jade (Crassula ovata)
Jade plants are resilient, long-lived, and super cute – they look like miniature trees with their thick stems and heart-shaped leaves.
They’re a great plant to grow indoors, but they need at least partial sun exposure (they prefer full sun).
Jade is susceptible to rot, so keep it dry between waterings. It needs more water in spring and summer and less in fall and winter. Don’t leave them outside in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aloe Vera
Aloe plants are nature’s first aid kit – the juice/gel in their leaves can aid with burns. Aloe plants have short stems and thick, green leaves with spikey edges.
They’re very easy to keep alive and prefer bright, indirect sunlight. If the leaves start to yellow they are getting too much sun.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
Panda plants tend to be adorably small with light green leaves ridged in a dark brown or black.
They’re striking little plants with fuzzy leaves. Panda plants are surprisingly unfussy and like both direct and indirect sunlight. They need more water in spring and summer, but even then they will tolerate long dry spells.
Agave Plants
Agave plants grow in a beautiful rosette shape and have broad green leaves that end in a sharp point.
They prefer warmer weather and will tolerate partial shade (they prefer direct sunlight) if it’s hot. Agave plants are drought tolerant and only need water every other week.
Stonecrop Sedum
There are several types of stonecrop sedum – there are both upright plants and creeping/ground cover plants.
You’ve probably seen Autumn Joy, a very common sedum plant. They tend to be very easy to grow and will often grow quickly. They will thrive in full to partial sun and they grow well in a variety of locations – in the ground, in pots, or on wall or rock gardens.
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Sempervivum encompasses a number of plant types – the most common of which is hens and chicks.
They produce clusters of rosette-shaped plants. These beautiful succulents are easy to grow and like indirect and direct sunlight and well-draining soil. They tolerate drought well but do not like to be waterlogged.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)
Zebra plants have spiny, striped leaves. They are very easy going and like indirect sunlight.
They don’t need to be watered often and live very happily in pots or succulent arrangements. They don’t like to get cold or very wet though, so keep them inside unless you live in a desert climate.
Tree Houseleek (Aeonium Arboreum)
Tree houseleeks grow in a beautiful rosette pattern and can either have dark green or dark purple leaves.
They like a lot of light, so keep them in a greenhouse or windowsill. These are fast-growing plants if they are well-watered in the spring and summer, so be prepared to repot them every year.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Snake plants have tall, upright leaves and make a great architectural accent in a room.
They are extremely drought tolerant and like to be in well-draining pots. Snake plants like partial sun.
Echeveria
Echeveria is a family of rose-shaped succulents and they are probably the most well-known succulents.
They come in a rainbow of beautiful colors and are easy to propagate. They like to be in well-draining soil and are happy to be planted in group displays.
Ashley Hackenberg
Thursday 30th of September 2021
Very helpful information! Trying to green up my brown thumbs! I would love more information on succulent care and gardening success in my particular zone; 7b.