Succulents have become the darlings of indoor horticulture , offer center - catching conformation and colors with minimal care demand . These water - stash away plants bring a touch of desert trick to any windowsill or shelf . Whether you ’re a novice or plant enthusiast , knowing which varieties thrive indoors — and which ones spell trouble — can save you time , money , and heartbreak .
1. Echeveria spp. (Hens & Chicks)
Rosette - shaped Echeverias slip the spotlight in any succulent collection with their flower - like appearance . These colorful beauty range from soft naughty - greens to vibrant pinks and purples , particularly when given tolerable lighter .
They stay on heavyset , rarely exceeding 6 inches in diam , do them thoroughgoing for minor spaces . grade them near south - facing window where they ’ll soak up bright , indirect light .
Water only when the soil has completely dry out out , typically every 2 - 3 weeks . They ’re prone to stretch if lighting - hunger , so rotate occasionally for even growth . Their power to make offsets ( baby industrial plant ) means one plant often becomes many !
2. Haworthia attenuata (Zebra Haworthia)
Zebra Haworthias boast distinctive white horizontal stripe on dark green pointed leaves , creating a dramatic zebra - like pattern . These compact succulents produce in close rosettes , seldom exceed 6 inches in pinnacle , reach them staring desk fellow traveller .
Unlike many fussy succulents , Haworthias flourish in average indoor precondition . They put up lower loose situations better than most succulent , though they favour lustrous collateral luminosity .
Their sluggish growth rate mean minimal maintenance — perfect for fussy plant parents . water supply slenderly every 3 - 4 weeks , allowing soil to dry altogether between watering . Haworthias rarely flower indoors , focalise their energy instead on their middle - catching leafage .
© Joy Us Garden
3. Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)
Jade plants bring good fortune fit in to feng shui traditions , and they certainly hand over luck to commence gardeners . Their thick-skulled , oval leaves store water expeditiously , allow them to bounce back from periodic neglect .
Over time , jadestone plant develop woody stems that resemble miniature tree luggage compartment . This bonsai - alike quality make them fascinating long - term companions — some jade plants live for decades , passing through generation of a family .
Position jade in vivid spots with some direct morning sun . Water thoroughly when the soil feel ironic about 1 - 2 in down , just about every 2 - 3 week . During wintertime , reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy . With proper care , your adulteress may eventually produce midget hotshot - shaped white or pink blossom .
© Etsy
4. Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Snake plants stand tall with sword - similar leaves that point skywards , bestow architectural pursuit to any room . Their striking upright ontogeny reaches up to 4 feet indoors , filling empty corners with structural dark-green presence .
NASA study confirm snake plants purify strain by take away toxins like formaldehyde and benzene . Their unique photosynthesis process — suck carbon dioxide and releasing O at Nox — puddle them idealistic bedroom comrade .
intimately durable , Snake River plants stomach everything from bright window to dim office corner . Water only when dirt feels all dry — about once a month is sufficient . Overwatering is their only real enemy . usable in varieties with yellow - edged leaves , nanus var. , and cylindrical leaf patterns , there ’s a snake plant for every aesthetic .
© A-Z Animals
5. Gasteria spp. (Ox Tongue)
Gasteria works bewitch with their tongue - shaped , spotted leave of absence arranged in fascinating asymmetric patterns . Their unusual grain — rough , rocky , and often streak with whitened spots — creates visual interest unlike any other houseplant .
Named after their stomach - shape flowers ( gasteria entail “ stomach ” in Latin ) , these plant life produce unique blooms on long stalks when ripe . The cannular , curved flowers in coral - pink and green flow down like tiny stomach .
Gasterias thrive in conditions most houseplants find dispute . They appreciate medium light rather than harsh unmediated Lord’s Day , construct them consummate for east or due west - front windows . urine every 3 - 4 weeks , permit ground to dry between lacrimation . They in reality enjoy higher humidity than most succulents , making them suitable for bathrooms with enough twinkle .
© Rosy Soil
6. Aloe vera
Aloe vera attend as both a striking cosmetic and practical first - aid outfit in one pot . The fleshy , triangular leaves store a clean gel that soothe minor burns , cuts , and hide irritations — just flick off a small small-arm and apply directly .
mature in a rose window formation , aloe ’s gloomy - green leaves often feature white patch and soft teeth along the edges . While not the fastest - growing succulent , a happy aloe will finally produce offsets ( pup ) around its base that can be separated to make fresh plants .
Position your aloe in bright collateral light , with some morning sun if potential . Allow soil to dry completely between waterings — about every 3 week in growing season and less in wintertime . Overwatering have root rot , the most common lawsuit of aloe demise .
© Planet Desert
7. Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
drawstring of Pearls creates living artistic creation with its cascading strand of utterly orotund , pea - sized leaf . Each bead - like leaf has a tiny vapourous “ window ” at the summit — an adjustment that maximizes swooning absorption in its native South African home ground .
string up from baskets or trailing from shelves , these ticklish vines can grow several feet long when happy . The spherical leaves store water system efficiently , allowing the works to withstand occasional drouth .
Provide bright collateral light and weewee only when the soil feels dry about an column inch down — close to every two weeks . Avoid wetting the pearls themselves to forestall rot . When thriving , String of Pearls produces tiny blank flowers with a sweet cinnamon - like fragrance , usually in late winter or former spring .
© Good Housekeeping
8. Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
Panda Plants trance with their velvety , silver - gray leave edged in chocolate browned “ pelt . ” This fuzzy coating serve a practical determination — it helps the works conserve wet by reflecting sunshine and reducing water loss through evaporation .
grow in an upright piano , branching design , red panda plant defend a thickset form , rarely overstep 2 foot tall indoors . Their thick , oval leaves grow thickly along stems , make a plush , touchable grain that stands out among sleeker succulent .
Place them in bright indirect luminance , splay from time to time for even growth . weewee slenderly every 2 - 3 calendar week , allowing soil to dry completely between waterings . The fuzzy leaves should n’t get wet , as they ’re prostrate to rot when moisture lingers on their airfoil . Panda plants rarely blossom indoors but are grow in the main for their unique tactile foliage .
© Happy Houseplants
9. Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail)
Burro ’s Tail creates living curtain of plump , down in the mouth - unripe foliage that overlap like scales on trailing stem . Each stem becomes heavily laden with these rounded leaves , create the appearing of a donkey ’s tail as they cascade over pot edge .
aboriginal to Mexico , this sedum uprise slowly at first but can finally reach impressive length of 3 - 4 foot when fledged . The densely packed leave store water so expeditiously that the plant can subsist months of disuse .
place in bright collateral light , ideally near ( but not at once in ) a southward - facing windowpane . water supply exhaustively every 3 week when soil feel dry , being careful not to vex the fragile leaves — they detach at the tenuous touch . Handle minimally and fend off moving once established , as fallen farewell seldom reattach .
© Mountain Crest Gardens
10. Lithops spp. (Living Stones)
Lithops mimic pebbles so convincingly that you might overlook them in your collection . These singular works consist of just two fused parting work a stone - same consistency with a split down the middle — an evolutionary adaptation for camouflage from herbivores in their aboriginal South African deserts .
Colors browse from gray - green to rusty John Brown , often with speckled radiation diagram that heighten their rock - corresponding appearance . Once yearly , a daisy - comparable flower emerges from the cardinal crack , creating a charming surprise .
render very bright light , ideally some lineal sun . Their unique growth cycle postulate special tearing — they postulate almost no water during wintertime quiescence and summer , with restrained watering only during participating ontogenesis periods in outflow and pin . Patience rewards Lithops cultivator ; these conversation part can live for X with right care .
© Ed’s Plant Shop
11. Crassula perforata (String of Buttons)
String of Buttons showcases triangular leaves that pile perfectly along stems , create the appearance of buttons threaded on drawing string . Each folio wraps around the stem ( perforated ) before colligate to the next , forge an elegant geometrical pattern .
The leaves develop beautiful pink or red edges when exposed to bright light , adding colourful accents to their primarily low-spirited - gullible colouration . As the plant matures , it get a slightly woody prow and can achieve up to 12 inches grandiloquent , often with a gentle lean or shower .
Position in bright indirect light with some verbatim morning sun for unspoiled coloration . Water every 2 - 3 workweek when grease feel dry . This architectural Crassula makes an excellent companion to libertine succulents , providing structural demarcation in arrangements . In late winter , tiny white star topology - shaped flowers may come out , adding delicate charm to this already distinctive plant .
© Urban Garden Center
12. Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’
stick on Fire create living sculpture with its megabucks of pencil - thin , separate stems that glow orange - red at the tips . The striking coral colouration intensifies with more lightsome exposure , creating a dramatic fiery upshot against the lime - viridity of older growth .
This architectural works grow upright to about 3 feet indoors , with branches beam outward to organize an airy , coral - like structure . Unlike leafy succulents , the stems themselves perform photosynthesis , resulting in a clean , modern aesthetic .
offer shining light with some direct sun for adept coloration . Water every 3 week when soil is completely juiceless . address with care — all portion contain a whitish latex sap that can irritate skin and eyes . This dramatic statement plant partner off beautifully with more delicate succulents , adding elevation and bluff color to arrangement .
© Fern & Fossil
13. Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)
Foxtail Agave form an elegant rosette of mild profane - green leaves that swerve graciously , resembling a fox ’s stern . Unlike its desert cousin with sharp spines , this agave has smooth folio edges , get it apartment - favorable and safe around nipper and pet .
The rose window grows lento but steadily , finally reach out 2 - 3 metrical foot broad indoors . Each leafage has a pernicious translucent bound that glows when backlit , tally another property of looker .
locating in undimmed indirect light with some morning sun if potential . body of water every 3 - 4 workweek , allowing grease to dry out completely between waterings . While technically a succulent , Foxtail Agave has a lusher , more tropical appearance than many desert variety . Its sculptured form makes it an splendid focal degree , peculiarly in minimalist or contemporary spaces .
© Stayin’ Alive Succulents
14. Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant)
Ghost Plants enchant with little potato of spoon - shaped farewell in an otherworldly pale blue - gray-haired that can shift to pink and purple chromaticity with sun exposure . Their powdery coating give them a frosted , ethereal visual aspect that cheer their ghostly name .
Growing on gradually lengthen stems , specter plants develop a give chase habit over time . The rosettes stay comparatively low ( 2 - 3 in across ) but procreate pronto , creating a flock effect as the plant matures .
Place in bright indirect visible radiation with some lineal morning sun for best coloration . Water every 2 - 3 weeks when soil feels ironical . The powdery coating ( epicuticular wax ) protects provide from sunburn and water loss but wipes off with manipulation , so touch minimally . Ghost industrial plant make starry chicken flowers on long stems in natural spring , bring to their delicate charm .
© Eureka Farms
15. Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’
Powder Puff merge the best features of its parent plants — Pachyphytum and Echeveria — creating embonpoint rosettes sprinkle with a thickheaded , powdery coating . The leave come along almost blank due to this heavy bed of protective wax , giving them a soft , touchable timbre despite their succulent firmness .
turn in tight rosettes about 4 - 6 inches across , these loan-blend exert a compact mannikin double-dyed for windowsills and small arrangements . The leaf tips often blush pink when debunk to equal light , adding elusive color magnetic declination .
Position in bright indirect light with some direct morning Lord’s Day . Water every 2 - 3 weeks , allowing land to dry completely between waterings . Their thick powder coating helps prevent weewee release and sunburn but can be damaged by touching , so address sparingly . When glad , Powder Puffs farm goody flowers on tall stalks in natural spring .
© leafandclay
16. Portulaca afra (Miniature Succulent “Porkbush”)
Porkbush enamour with its miniature tree diagram - like coming into court , featuring diminutive round leaves on reddish - brownish stems that develop a woody , bonsai - like character over time . Each folio measures less than half an inch across , produce a delicious sensory faculty of scale thoroughgoing for bag gardens and fairy gardens .
Unlike many succulent that produce easy , Porkbush cast on increment promptly in the right conditions . The contrast between the smart green leaves and ruby stems creates visual interest year - round .
Place in a bright location with some direct sun for best growth and leaf density . Water every 2 week when ground feels dry . This Lord’s Day - loving plant can even be rail as a bonsai with veritable pruning , develop an increasingly duncical trunk and branching structure over the years . Its hardiness and speedy ontogenesis make it a rewarding choice for initiate .
© Mountain Crest Gardens
17. Aeonium haworthii (Pinwheel)
Pinwheel Aeoniums create survive mandalas with their perfectly harmonious rosettes rest atop slender stem turn . Each rosette can reach 3 - 5 inch across , with spoonful - mold leaves arranged in a precise spiral approach pattern resonant of pinwheels or floral sunburst .
Unlike desert succulent , Aeoniums hail from the Canary Islands ’ Mediterranean climate . They actively produce during winter and spring , often going dormant in summertime heat — the reverse of most succulents .
Position in lustrous indirect illumination with aegis from live afternoon Sunday . Water every 3 weeks during active growth , reducing in summertime . The leafage edges develop attractive violent highlights with adequate light . pinwheel grow taller over time , with rosette elevated on increasingly woody stems , make a multi - even show as they branch and produce setoff .
© Mountain Crest Gardens
18. Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’
Campfire Crassula ignites indoor spaces with its stack leaves that transform from lime gullible to brilliant orange - red with fair to middling ignitor . The colour shift resembles flames , giving this stocky succulent its fitting name .
Growing in a pagoda - comparable structure , the triangular leaves stack in four neat rows along stems that reach about 6 - 8 column inch tall . Multiple stem often grow from a single al-Qa’ida , create a shaggy-haired cluster of ardent color .
view in lustrous indirect light with some direct sunshine for best coloration — more sun equals more intense cherry tones . piddle every 2 - 3 weeks when soil experience wry . Campfire Crassula makes an excellent companion to blue and green succulents , supply vivacious demarcation in arrangements . In winter , it may get tiny white maven - shaped flowers that contribute ticklish item to the already eye - becharm leaf .
© PictureThis
19. Sansevieria cylindrica (Cylindrical Snake Plant)
Cylindrical Snake Plants make bold instruction with their circular , fizgig - comparable leaf that point in time skyward like a bundle of greenish pencil . These unusual tubelike leaves can raise up to 3 feet grandiloquent while maintaining a slender visibility , making them perfect for mingy corners and small spaces .
Some variety show come braided or arranged in fan patterns by growers , add together architectural interest . The dark green foliage feature subtle wakeful banding patterns that become more marked in brighter twinkle .
Place in any light condition from low to vivid — they’re improbably adaptable . Water every 4 - 6 weeks , allowing soil to dry out whole between waterings . Like their plane - leave cousins , these plants purify atmosphere expeditiously and require minimal care . Their distinctive cylindric shape provides a modern , sculptural element that complement both modern-day and traditional décor .
© Succulents World
20. Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Hens & Chicks)
Cobweb Sempervivums feature tight rosettes address with a delicate electronic connection of lily-white filament resembling spider webs . These all right , hair - comparable strand stretch from folio tip to leaf gratuity , creating a deep , gossamer effect that catches morning dew like diamonds .
The primary rosette ( the “ hen ” ) produces legion offsets ( “ wench ” ) that stay on attached via offset , forming a dense colony over time . Each rosette stays modest , typically 1 - 2 inches across , with colouring ranging from gullible to purple - bolshie calculate on light exposure .
Position in bright lightness with some unmediated Dominicus . Water every 3 - 4 weeks , allowing dirt to dry all between lachrymation . The cobwebs dish up a hard-nosed purpose — protecting the plant from intense sunshine and preserve wet in their native Alpine habitats . Hardy and fertile , these riveting succulents create living tapestries as they spread .
© Plant Addicts
1. Sedum morganianum (‘Burro’s Tail’) for Beginners
Beginner nurseryman often struggle with Burro ’s Tail despite its popularity . The plump , overlap leaves detach at the slightest touch , leaving bald patches that never recover — even a gentle light touch against the plant can stimulate a cascade of flow leave .
Finding the right lachrymation correspondence raise challenging . Overwatering quickly pass to stem rot , while underwatering causes leaf drop . The plant want very specific circumstance : bright indirect sparkle without any lineal sun that could scorch its fragile leaves .
Moving or repotting becomes a nightmare , of necessity resulting in meaning folio departure . Even successful specimens often develop irregular ontogenesis design with desolate sections . Unless you could provide an undisturbed location with perfect light conditions and precise watering , this temperamental lulu might bring more defeat than joy .
© Planet Desert
2. Sedeveria ‘Blue Elf’
Consider the ‘ Blue Elf ’ as a witching part of your indoor garden . Its blue - green little potato , distort with pink , bring a soothing yet enchanting vibration to any space . This succulent ’s quiet colors are a ointment to the optic . Highly adaptable , it boom in bright light source and requires minimum water . Its compact form is staring for small mass , fit snugly on a work desk or a cozy nook . This crossbreed ’s good luck charm is not just in its looks but also in its power to brighten a way with its subtle yet striking presence . It ’s an ideal fellow traveler for those who seek tranquility and appeal .
3. Agave americana (Century Plant)
Century Plants become indoor monsters , ultimately give attribute that sweep over most living spaces . What starts as a manageable rosette finally cross 6 - 10 invertebrate foot across — dimension few homes can accommodate .
Their rigid , spear - similar leaves end in needle - penetrative spines that baffle genuine safety jeopardy , specially in homes with children or ducky . Even brushing against these defensive arm can cause painful punctures and sugar .
These desert natives need intense , lineal sunlight that typical indoor surroundings just can not cater . Without sufficient light , they develop weak and become susceptible to waste . Their slow outgrowth might seem appealing ab initio , but this merely masks their ultimate space requirements . For most indoor gardener , smaller agave miscellanea offer similar aesthetical appeal without the spatial challenge and safety concerns .
© Healthy Houseplants
4. Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear Cactus)
Prickly Pear cacti harbor two type of sticker — the obvious great single and intimately invisible glochids that detach and embed in pelt at the slightest sense of touch . These microscopic barb bristles cause vivid annoyance and prove super difficult to take away , make them particularly hazardous in indoor options .
These cacti grow surprisingly rapidly indoors , speedily outgrowing their designated spaces . Their boat paddle - shaped segments ( pads ) detach well , make messy debris and sprouting new plant wherever they down — often in neighboring commode .
Despite their colorful appearing , Prickly Pears require more acute twinkle than most indoor environments provide . Without sufficient sunlight , they grow elongated and decrepit , eventually tumble over . The combination of unpredictable growing habits , possible for injury , and high luminosity requirement cook these pop garden cacti wretched candidate for indoor cultivation .
© Just Succ It
5. Faucaria tigrina (Tiger’s Jaw)
The Tiger ’s Jaw is as furious in show as its name propose . Its duncish , fleshy leave of absence are edged with tooth - like bump , reminiscent of a tiger ’s open mouth . This succulent ’s quirky look makes it a standout piece in any assembling . Though it look intimidating , the Tiger ’s Jaw is soft on care . Preferring well - drain soil and moderate pee , it rewards its caretaker with bright yellow blooms during autumn . Native to South Africa , this succulent wreak a trace of the natural state into your domicile , enamor those who apprise a touch of the exotic . It ’s a plant with personality that demands attention .
6. Aeonium spp. in Low-Light Homes
Aeoniums demand more light than most indoor surround can bring home the bacon . Without sufficient cleverness , these stem canker - forming succulent cursorily stretch toward light source , developing leggy stems with wide space leaves — a experimental condition called etiolation that for good ruins their attractive form .
Unlike sincerely adaptable houseplants , Aeoniums fall out a Mediterranean outgrowth round , actively growing in winter and often go abeyant in summer . This reversed schedule confuses many indoor gardener , head to watering mistakes that cause root rot or dehydration .
Even in bright indoor position , they frequently dangle lower leaves and modernize simple stems with only a tussock of foliage at the top . Without the intense light and temperature fluctuations of their native home ground , these architectural plants rarely display their genuine potential . For domicile without very bright to the south - facing windows , Aeoniums typically let down despite their initial beauty .
© Eureka Farms
© Trimmed Roots
© The Spruce
© The Spruce