Let’s face it, everybody has an addiction to succulents. These unique little plants are everybody’s favourite even though we know we don’t live in the desert southwest and we know they won’t survive outside over winter. It doesn’t matter you say… they will be brought indoors before frost comes, just like the animals lining up two by two for Noah’s Ark.
Yes, we all have the best intentions, but we are here to relieve you of that burden. Let’s just admit it. I love succulents, you love succulents, we know they won’t survive outside – but they are just soooo cool!
Buy them, enjoy them, and if one or two survive on the windowsill over winter then great. Their chances of survival indoors are better than that geranium you bought in Spring! Ok, enough with the self-help zone denial chatter, here are 13 super cool special succulents that we just love and we hope will continue to fuel your plant addiction.
Firesticks Euphorbia
Euphorbia tirucalli
Firesticks is a fast growing upright succulent with green to yellow stems growing pinkish red as they mature. It’s drought tolerant once established but grows best in well-drained soil and regular watering once the soil becomes dry. Protect from frost, for that matter, bring it indoors if you want it to survive over winter. White sap can be irritating and can burn skin and eyes so use caution and wear protection when pruning and handling the plant. Very architectural when combined with other succulents. In the desert southwest, these plants are considered weeds growing several feet in height, but we don’t have to worry about them doing that outdoors here.
Painted Echeveria
Echeveria nodulosa
This unique succulent from Monrovia provides great contrast with rosettes of absinthe green, vividly painted with red on the margins and mid-leaf. Hummingbirds adore the coral-pink and yellow flowers that appear atop tall bracts in summer. Originally from Mexico, this low growing spreader thrives in dry, sandy soil, preferring cool sun to light shade. Grows rosettes to 5 inches wide and clumps 1-2ft tall and 2-3ft wide. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11. In our climate, bring it indoors if you want it to survive over winter.
Zwartkop Aeonium
Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’
This always popular succulent is a clump forming plant grown for its incredibly attractive dark black to dark red foliage. It is an easy care plant ideal for containers and seasonal landscapes. It is both heat and drought tolerant. Best grown in full to part sun. Reaches 12-24 inches in height. Annual unless in zones 9-11.
Princess Pine Crassula
Crassula muscosa pseudolycopodioides
Princess Pine Crassula is a small succulent plant with tiny light green leaves vaguely reminiscent of a needle-like conifer foliage. Foliage is densely packed around thin stems forming a square mass. It can reach up to 12inches tall with little yellow-green flowers. They are easy to grow, but over-watering can be fatal. It is both heat tolerant and requires very little water. Best in full to part sun. Make sure to bring it indoors over winter if you want it to survive. Hardy in zones 9-11
Topsy Turvy Echeveria
Echeveria runyonii
This intriguing succulent features thick blue-gray leaves that curve upwards at unruly angles. Bright orange and yellow flowers rise above the foliage on tall arching inflorescence in late summer and into fall. Adds a unique texture to rock gardens, borders and container gardens. Performs well in lean soils and is drought tolerant once established. Fast growing to 8-12 inches in height and spread. Prefers full to part sun. Bring it indoors if you want it to survive over winter. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11
Hookers Pachyphytum
Pachyphytum hookeri This lovely little succulent with an unfortunate name is an evergreen in warm climates but must be brought indoors to over winter here in the Pacific Northwest. It forms rosettes of elongated silver-green fleshy foliage with pink tips. It is both heat and drought tolerant and only needs the occasional watering. Clump forming to 4 inches high and 6 inches wide. Excellent for containers, succulent bowls and as a houseplant. Best in full to part sun. Hardy in zone 9.
Perle Von Nurnberg Echeveria
Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’
One of our personal favourites! This wonderful succulent forms beautiful rosettes of soft grey-brown leaves with deep pink highlights that are dusted to powdery white. Bright coral flowers emerge in summer on foot long reddish stems. Adds beauty to rock gardens and succulent collections. It is tolerant of heat and drought. Its an evergreen in warm climates but must be brought indoors over winter if you want it to survive. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11. Grows 8-10 inches in height and 6-8 inches wide. Best in full to part sun.
Lipstick Echeveria
Echeveria agavoides ‘Lipstick’
Lipstick Echeveria features bright green leaves with vivid reddish pink edges and forms dense rosettes. Reminiscent of an Agave, each leaf is tipped with a small spine. Accented with red blooms in spring. Compact and ground hugging, this clumping succulent is beautiful in rock gardens and mixed succulent plantings. Needs full to part sun and only an occasional watering. Forms rosettes to 6 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. Bring it indoors if you want it to survive the winter. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11.
Hawaiian Portulaca
Portulaca molokiniensis
Hawaiian Portulaca is a darling succulent that is very similar to prostrate sedums in form; medium green foliage and succulent leaves are bunched at the end of stems. Terminal flowers appear occasionally but are not showy. Prefers dry soil and full sun. Bring it indoors if you want it to survive the winter. Hardy in zone 9. In perfect conditions it can reach 12 inches in height and up to 24 inches across.
LifeSaver Plant
Huernia zebrina
No that’s not a wayward candy in the photograph. This amazing tender succulent has a mounding habit and beautiful, exotic, star-shaped spotted flowers with a prominent red center that looks like a life saver candy. While it looks suspiciously like a cactus, it is not overly pointy or sharp. Its an excellent plant for terrariums, cactus gardens, succulent bowls or as a houseplant. The Life Saver Plant is both heat and drought tolerant. Water only occasionally and do not over water. Can reach 6 inches in height and prefers full sun. Bring it indoors if you want it to survive the winter. Hardy in zone 9.
Flapjacks Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe luciae
This unique looking tender succulent features aqua, large round leaves blush red on the edges. It produces small flowers on a tall stalk. Its native to South Africa and is drought tolerant once established. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. Provides dramatic color and texture in rock gardens, xeriscapes and containers. Protect from frost by bringing it indoors. Hardy in zones 9-11
Big Band Haworthia
Haworthia attenuate
Big Band Haworthia is a highly sought after succulent for terrariums, succulent gardens and as a low maintenance houseplant. It’s a tender evergreen with a clumping habit. Stemless succulent looking slightly like an Aloe has upright narrow dark green leaves with horizontal white bands. Heat and drought tolerant. Water only occasionally and do not over water. Prefers full sun to light shade and can reach 3-5 inches tall and up to 6-12 inches wide. Bring it indoors if you want it to over winter. Hardy in zone 10.
Panda Plant
Kalanchoe tomentosa
This unique succulent features fuzzy gray leaves on a clump forming plant. Green-yellow, bell shaped flowers bloom in spring to early summer. Excellent for providing texture and colour to containers, succulent bowls or use it as a houseplant. Prefers full sun to part shade and can grow to 24 inches in height and spread. Bring it indoors over winter if you want it to survive. Hardy in zone 9.
These 13 succulents represent just a few of the hundreds of succulents we stock at Arts Nursery. The best selection is from late spring into early Fall, but we carry some all year round for indoor use. Visit us to pick up your succulent treasures, but as always call ahead to confirm availability if you are looking for specific plants. We look forward to seeing you soon!