16 Types of Succulents That Are Easy to Maintain
There are few houseplants more popular among plant lovers than succulents, and it’s easy to see why. They’re easy to care for, almost impossible to under-water, and are a great way to add beautiful greenery to your home. From spiky mini cacti to the delicate string of pearls, there are many types of succulents that suit every form of decor.
So, if you’re looking for succulents that you can keep alive with minimal effort, you’re in luck. Here are 16 succulents to brighten up your space.
1. String of Pearls
This gorgeous succulent plant has tiny beads that form what looks like a string of pearls spilling out of your flower pot. It’s a fun houseplant you can position up high, such as on a bookcase or shelf, allowing the pearls to trail downwards.
This plant prefers bright sunlight but will also tolerate indirect light as long as it’s bright. Only water every few weeks when the top inch of soil dries out.
2. Hens and Chicks
Also called Sempervivum, this succulent quickly produces offsets (baby succulents). As a result, it looks like a mother hen and her chicks. With rosette-shaped leaves, this is a lovely succulent that often grows well outdoors. So, you can grow it outside in soil that drains well. However, it also thrives indoors in small pots. For best results, use Succulent Soil for indoor or outdoor cultivation.
Sempervivum likes six hours or more of direct sunlight per day. Water it every month or so if it hasn’t rained, but note that this plant is naturally drought-resistant.
3. Zebra Plant
The zebra haworthia, more often simply called the zebra plant, has striking, spiky foliage. It looks exotic but will thrive as a house plant. In fact, this is, without a doubt, one of the easiest succulents to care for.
Since it’s a small plant growing to just 5 inches tall, you can also grow zebra plants in a terrarium. Simply place your zebra plant near a window and allow it to receive a few hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings–this plant doesn’t require much water.
4. Jade Plant
The Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata) is almost like a miniature tree. Native to South Africa, it has thick, glossy green leaves. Note, however, that some varieties have different leaves, so you might get a different plant depending on the type you buy.
Jade plants are relatively easy to care for and can thrive for decades with the right care. However, they can grow tall. Houseplants usually stay at about one foot in height, but outdoor plants can grow several feet. You’ll need a heavy container like terracotta, as they can become quite top-heavy.
Place your jade plant in bright, indirect light, and water it every few weeks when the top few inches of the soil are dry.
5. Kalanchoe
There are a few types of kalanchoe, including kalanchoe blossfeldiana and kalanchoe tomentosa. These plants vary widely in appearance, from petite succulents with bright pink or yellow flowers to those with fuzzy, gray-green leaves and rust-colored tips.
Either way, these succulents enjoy bright, indirect light. Water them every few weeks when the soil feels mostly dry. That way, you can enjoy your gorgeous kalanchoe for years to come.
6. Aloe Vera
This popular houseplant has a huge variety of uses, including its sap, which can be used to treat sunburn. When grown at home, though, most people simply admire it as a houseplant. Aloe Vera will grow long, slender leaves on a short stem, producing more and more clusters over time.
For houseplant enthusiasts, aloe vera is a great option, primarily because it’s difficult to kill. Ideally place in full sun to partial shade, taking care that the leaves don’t burn if they’re placed near a window in the direct midday sun. Only water every few weeks when the soil completely dries out.
7. Echeveria
Sometimes, echeveria also has the nickname ‘hens and chicks,’ which can be confusing for gardeners! This succulent has rosette-shaped leaves that come in hues of green, blue-green, and red, and there are even some varieties with a pink blush.
You can grow echeveria outside in warm climates. Or, potted up and grown indoors as a houseplant placed in a bright, well-lit, sunny location. Echeveria thrives in dry conditions, so whether planted indoor or outdoors, only water when the soil has dried out, as this is one type of plant that will not tolerate excess water. They will, however, tolerate colder conditions but should be sheltered against frost.
8. Snake Plant
The hardy snake plant is the easiest of all the succulents to grow. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to kill. So, if you are concerned about your ability to care for plants, you need this one!
Snake plants are lovely houseplants. Their thick, pointed leaves grow vertically and can reach three feet tall. Plus, with stripes and patterns, they look like little snakes slithering out of the pot.
Snake plants can actually survive for weeks without light and water. That said, they will thrive in medium to bright light. Water your snake plant every few weeks when the soil feels dry.
9. Christmas Cactus
Despite being a type of cacti, the Christmas Cactus does not have sharp spikes. Instead, it is adorned with flat, fleshy stems. It often drapes over its pot, giving this plant a very unique and striking appearance. You might hear it called ‘crab claw cactus,’ too.
Keep this cactus in bright light, preferably near a window. With the right care, it will reward you with gorgeous pink or red blooms in the winter.
10. ZZ Plant
ZZ, short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a gorgeous green, low-maintenance indoor plant that requires little care or attention to thrive!
Simply place this plant in bright, indirect sunlight, and water it every few weeks when the soil is mostly dry. An easy-to-grow plant that, although it does best in bright light, can adapt and be grown in medium to low light as well.
11. Peperomia
This leafy succulent is a gorgeous plant with striped, glossy leaves in various hues of green. There are many different types, including variegated peperomia, baby rubber plants, and watermelon plants. Whichever variety you get, they’re easy to care for.
Place your plant in bright, indirect light, and water it every few weeks when the top few inches of soil dry out.
12. Moonstone Plant
The moonstone plant looks a little out of this world, with rounded, gray-green leaves that look like pebbles. Add Succulent Pebbles for an otherworldly touch to your garden or home decor. As a result, it’s a fun succulent to have in your collection. If you live in a particularly warm climate, it grows well outdoors. However, you’ll more commonly see this as a houseplant.
The moonstone plant thrives in bright, direct light, so place it in a window. Water every few weeks only when the soil is completely dry.
13. Pencil Catcus
This is another cactus that is absolutely striking to look at! It grows in long, spindly tendrils that make it look almost like a web. Despite its complicated appearance, it’s easy to grow and even tolerant of neglect.
Place it in bright, indirect light, and water it every few weeks when the soil is mostly dry. Don’t worry if you occasionally forget to water it, as these are hardy plants!
14. Sedum
If you’re looking for an outdoor succulent, sedum is for you. There are many varieties, including low-growing forms and upright forms. The latter develops sturdy blooms late in the growing season.
This hardy succulent grows well in poor and sandy soil and some varieties can be tolerant to cold. However, you should check the plant label to ensure you have a cold-hardy variety.
Place your sedum where it will get full sun and only water when the soil has dried out. This is a particularly drought-tolerant plant.
15. Money Plant
Also called the coin plant, UFO plant, or pilea, this succulent has cute, rounded leaves. In the summertime, it thrives outside, but you need to be careful not to burn its leaves in direct sunlight.
Place your pilea in bright, indirect light for the best results. Water it every week or so when the top inch of soil dries out.
The money plant will produce “pups” that appear at the base of the plant. These can pinched off and potted to make new plants!
16. Dracaena
Dracaena comes in many forms, but all of them are easy to care for. Dracaena fragrans is a popular option, growing tall and upright like a small tree. Meanwhile, the dragon tree variety has grassy leaves that sprout from several stems.
Whichever variety you have, the care is similar. Place it in bright, indirect light and water it every week or when the soil feels dry.
Ready To Master Your Plant Care?
If you’re ready to elevate your houseplant game, these sixteen succulents are just the start of your journey. If you can grow succulents, you can grow a huge range of other stunning plants.
Dive deeper into the world of gardening with more exclusive tips and tricks in our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our most frequently asked questions on types of succulents.
1. How do I know what type of succulent I have?
You can identify your succulent by observing the leaf shape, noting whether they are spiky, round, or have a unique color. Examples include the aloe vera’s spiky leaves or the vibrant tips of the echeveria. Examine its growing habits, too–rosette formation could indicate that it’s a sempervivum. Also, look for ‘babies’ on the edges of the foliage, which could indicate that it’s a jade plant.
2. What does a happy succulent look like?
A happy, healthy succulent will have bright coloration and firm leaves. Succulents tend to grow slowly, so don’t worry if yours isn’t getting bigger; as long as the plant is not showing any signs of dehydration or disease, you don’t need to be concerned about the size or growth rate.
3. Do succulents need to be by a window?
Most succulents like light, so it’s best to place them by a window where they’ll get at least six hours of natural light each day. Be careful, however, that the window is not too hot or you can burn the leaves. Try placing the plants in bright light but out of strong direct sunlight.
4. What’s the easiest succulent to grow?
A lot of succulents have a reputation as being easy to grow. However, some are easier than others. For beginners, start with the jade or ZZ plants, as both are simple to care for, make bold statements and thrive in a variety of conditions.