Gardening Plants & Flowers Cacti & Succulents

The Best Low-Maintenance Succulents to Grow Outdoors

Euphorbia succulent for outdoors closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

It seems like everyone has developed a thirst for succulents—those plants with exotic shapes and diverse forms that are easy to maintain and create a bold statement wherever they grow. Even beginning gardeners are tempted to buy one or two out of curiosity, with some getting hooked after seeing how beautiful and manageable they are.

Many of the uninitiated take a look at a bed of succulents and refer everything as the well known Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) like the Plantlings from Ferry-Morse. But, there are hundreds—thousands—of other succulents that aficionados collect, trade, share, and discuss in person and online. Some people love them because they are so easy to propagate—just take a snip, let the end callous over, and plant in the ground or a container.

In regions that have been affected by drought or practice water-wise landscaping, succulents are a gorgeous and simple addition to the garden. They also thrive on patios, decks, and balconies, and make smart choices for pool area landscaping.

Planting the Right Succulents

Things you should know before you get started:

  • Succulents require more water in summer. If you live in a region with little rainfall, plan to water in-ground succulents once a week. Those in containers will require water about three times per week.
  • Reduce irrigation in fall and winter so that succulents can withstand lower temperatures. Soggy soil and soft, new growth make succulents more susceptible to damage from freezes.
  • What grows best in your region? If you aren't sure, buy from local suppliers: nurseries, succulent plant groups, or botanical gardens to help ensure that they will survive.
  • While all-succulent gardens are attractive, start by working them into your existing landscape. Discover some of the best companion plants for succulents.

Learn more about these easy-to-care-for beauties, including how to pronounce them (so you can impress everyone). And remember: cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

  • 01 of 13

    Aeonium

    aeonium sunburst
    Maryellen Baker/Getty Images

    Pronunciation: a-OH-nee-um

    Traits: These natives of North Africa's Canary Islands prefer more moisture than most succulents. Darker ones, like the purple/black Aeonium 'Zwartkop', can tolerate sun more than the lighter varieties. Many aeoniums are in the form of flowers and rosettes, making them especially pretty in container gardens or even cut bouquets or arrangements.

    Try These:

    • Black Aeonium: Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
    • A. artropurpureum
    • Kiwi Aeonium: A. decorum "Kiwi'
    • Canary Island aeonium: A. canariense
    • Sunburst Aeonium:  A. 'Sunburst'
  • 02 of 13

    Agave

    white agave
    Lisa Hallett Taylor

    Pronunciation: a-GAH-vee

    Traits: Native to the Americas, in-ground specimens grow more quickly and produce more blooms than their cousins confined to containers. Easily identifiable by their strong forms and large sizes—they make striking landscape plants. Leaves can be smooth, sword-shaped, toothed, or carried in rosettes. Blooms are infrequent but can be magnificent and huge—sometimes 14 feet or more. After flowering, the larger agaves die, but offshoots or pups usually form before this occurs.

    Try These:

    • Tuxedo Agave: Agave americana
    • Fox Tail Agave: A. attenuata; 'Kara's Stripes'
    • A. 'Blue Flame'
    • A. 'Cream Spike'
    • A. filifera
    • A. lopantha 'Quadricolor'
    • Parry's Agave or Artichoke Agave: A. parryi 
    • Butterfly Agave: A. potatorum 'Kissho Kan' or 'Kichi-Jokan'
    • Queen Victoria Agave: A. victoriae-reginae
  • 03 of 13

    Aloe

    aloesred

    Lisa Hallett Taylor

    Pronunciation: AL-oh

    Traits: Native to Africa, ​the ​Mediterranean, and Madagascar, aloes have fleshy, pointed leaves often arranged in rosettes that resemble agaves. Aloes, however, have showy flowers that bloom regularly, with the biggest display of flowers from February to September. Some blooms are tubular shaped and come in shades of orange, red, or yellow, while others are bicolor.

    Aloes can be just a few inches high to as tall as trees, with leaves that are either smooth, bumpy, or prickly. It's those leaves that help funnel water down to the plant's crown, keeping it moist and succulent. Aloes prefer more water than agaves and other succulents. Their roots are fairly close to the surface, making them ideal next to houses or near pools.

    Try These:

    • Aloe africana
    • A. arborescens
    • A. plicatilis
    • A. striata
    • A. vera
  • 04 of 13

    Crassula

    crassula succulent
    Chris Hellier/Getty Images

    Pronunciation: KRASS-oo-la

    Traits: Native to South Africa, this large genus features small-to-medium succulents that have fleshy leaves arranged in a variety of patterns. Some crassulas have branching stems, while others have are low-growing plants with dense foliage that are often good ground covers.

    Try These:

    • Jade: Crassula ovata
    • Crassula argentea
    • C. falcata
    • C. cooperi
    • C. deltoidea
    Continue to 5 of 13 below
  • 05 of 13

    Dasylirion

    a dasylirion wheeleri
    Carol Sharp/Getty Images

    Pronunciation: das-uh-LIH-ree-uhn

    Traits: Although they more closely resemble a palm, this species surprises some people when they learn that they are succulents. Popular in xeriscape gardens, they have a southwestern look, and many have green, greyish, or blue-green strap-like leaves with small, sharp teeth that line the leaf edges. Small trunks can become woody, which makes them appear even less like succulents.

    These striking succulents like some water, but will grow in desert and drought-tolerant gardens and make attractive container plants.

    Try These:

  • 06 of 13

    Dudleya

    purple succulents
    Jack Goldfarb/Getty Images

    Pronunciation:  Dud-ley-a

    Traits: Native to the southwestern United States and Baja California, Dudleya is another species that also has a lovely flower, rosette shape, and pattern, with fleshy "petals" in green, red, purple, grey, or a mix. They are sometimes confused with Echeverias, although they have opposite growing seasons. The white and grey varieties are often covered with chalky powder, which can wash off or get pitted or spotted when it rains. That's why this type is best kept under a patio or pergola cover.

    During the summer, these succulents are dormant and prefer to be kept dry. These easy-to-care-for plants will grow on slopes, in ​decomposed granite (DG), rock gardens, and various types of containers. Flowers emerge on long stalks in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white, and attract hummingbirds.

    Try These:

    • Dudleya brittonii
    • D. cymosa
    • D. edulis
    • D. lanceolata
    • Chalk Live Forever: D. pulverulent
  • 07 of 13

    Echeveria

    Echeveria succulent with green rosette closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Pronunciation: ech-eh-VER-ee-a

    Traits: Native to the Americas, these succulents form beautiful, intricate rosettes in a variety of colors: white, grey, green, pink, and red. Leaves are fleshy and green or grey-green.

    Try These:

  • 08 of 13

    Euphorbia

    Euphorbia succulent with leaves resembling cactus

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Pronunciation: yoo-FOR-bee-uh

    Traits: Also known as spurge, there are more than 1,000 species in the euphorbia family. Some resemble cactus, others are globe-shaped, and some make striking accents in the garden. Probably the best-known euphorbia is the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which can be grown into shrubs or trees in mild climates.

    Try These:

    • Euphorbia echinus
    • E. burmannii
    • E. characias 'Humpty Dumpty'
    • E. grandicornis
    • E. ingens
    • E. lactea
    • E. horrida
    • E. mammilllaris
    • E. milii 'Crown of Thorns'
    • E. obesa
    • E. obovalifolia
    • E. submammilaris
    • E. tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'
    • E. x martini
    Continue to 9 of 13 below
  • 09 of 13

    Graptopetalum

    Graptopetalum paraguayense, succulent plant.
    Gennaro Leonardi / Getty Images

    Pronunciation: grap-toh-PET-al-um

    Traits: Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, most of the graptopetalum species are fleshy white or light grey succulents that form beautiful rosettes. Unlike other succulents, graptopetalum can survive a freeze and can revive after being in temperatures below 20 degrees. In the garden, it is a great-performing ground cover, and also can be used in rock gardens, on rocky slopes, spilling over garden walls, or in containers or hanging planters.

    Graptoverias are hybrids of graptopetalums and echeverias, some of which are similar in color and form (rosette). The most popular types are G. 'Fred Ives' and G. 'Opalina'.

    Try These:

    • Ghost Plant: Graptopetalum paraguayense
    • Graptopetalum amethystinum
  • 10 of 13

    Haworthia

    haworthia succulelnts
    Simon McGill/Getty Images

    Pronunciation: ha-WORTH-ee-a

    Traits: These natives to South Africa are quite succulent and are filled with a translucent gel that resembles that produced by the Aloe vera. Depending on the type, they can vary in size, and colors range from green to brown to variegated, like the Zebra Plant (Haworthia attenuata). Most prefer shade or dappled sunlight and grow during the winter in mild climates. Too much water or moisture can kill them.

    Try These:

    • Zebra Plant: Haworthia attenuata
    • H. angustifolia
    • H. batesiana
    • H. coarctata
    • H. cooperi
    • H. cymbiformis
    • H. reinwardtii
    • H. 'Slices'
    • H. tessellata
  • 11 of 13

    Kalanchoe

    Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is a succulent plant native from Madacascar which produces beautiful flowers
    Jekaterina Voronina / Getty Images

    Pronunciation: kal-un-KOH-ee

    Traits: Native to tropical America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, these succulents don't tolerate frost and prefer a moist climate. Leaves can be smooth or felted (felt plant); while flowers are often showy and come in shades of yellow, red, orange, pink, and white.

    Try These:

    • Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Flap jack, dog tongue plant)
    • K. beharensis
    • K. blossfeldiana
    • K. tomentosa
  • 12 of 13

    Sedum

    Sedum succulent with pink starlike flowers and buds

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Pronunciation: SEE-dum

    Traits: These succulents have fleshy leaves, but their size, shape, and color vary among the species. Some are bush and upright, while others are small and trailing. Flowers are small, starlike, and bloom in clusters. Sedums grow well in rock gardens, on banks, or in small areas that need texture or color. Larger species can be used as shrub-like plants.

    Try These:

    • Sedum alboroseum 'Frosty Morn'
    • S. anglicum
    • Autumn Joy: S. herbstfreude
    • S. 'Blue Spruce'
    • Burro Tail: S. burrito
    • Dragon's Blood: S. 'Dragon's Blood'
    • S. multiceps
    • S. 'Vera Jameson'
    • S. pachyphyllum
    Continue to 13 of 13 below
  • 13 of 13

    Senecio

    Chalk Stick Plants
    adavino / Getty Images

    Pronunciation: sen-EE-see-oh

    Traits: Native to the Americas and Mediterranean regions, Senecio comes from the daisy family. There are about 100 succulent species, including the popular blue chalk or fingers that are used for borders and edges in drought-tolerant landscaping. The beautiful Fishhooks species is easy to grow, requires little water, and makes an attractive hanging plant, especially in dry climates.

    Try These:

    • Senecio mandraliscae
    • Fishhook Plant, String of Fishhook, or String of Bananas: Senecio radicans
    • Blue Chalk Sticks or Chalk Fingers: S. serpens
    • Himalayan Senecio: S.talinoides spp. cylindricus
    • String of Pearls or Beads: S.rowleyanus