wulingyun//Getty Images1Silver Jade Plant (Crassula arborescens)
This silver jade plant differs from the traditional jade plant because of the reddish spots and edges on its leaves. It’s a very classic-looking succulent, but the red details give it a little flair.
Hardiness Zone: 10-11Light Requirements: Full sun; tolerates light shade.Soil Requirements: Well-draining rocky or sandy soil.Water Requirements: Water when the soil is dry; avoid overwatering.2Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans)
This evergreen succulent grows in small rosettes with pale silver-green leaves that are sometimes tipped with pink. They’re beloved plants that can thrive indoors or in your yard.
Hardiness Zone: 9-12Light Requirements: Full sun to partial sun.Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil with dry to medium moisture.Water Requirements: Water when the soil is dry; avoid overwatering.
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3Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Mendoza cites the jade plant as one of her personal favorite types of succulents. “It’s timeless and brings a sense of calm to a room,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 10-12Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates direct sunlight.Soil Requirements: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.Water Requirements: Water when the soil is dry; avoid overwatering.4Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
If you have a south-facing window or a room that receives a lot of bright, natural light, consider growing aloe vera. Otherwise, Mendoza notes that this popular plant can be tricky to maintain. “They need a lot of sunlight to stay happy,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 8-11Light Requirements: Bright, natural light.Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Let soil dry out completely before watering.
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5Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
If you’re new to plant parenthood, the panda plant is a great option. “These are resilient plants with simple care routines. As long as you provide decent bright light and avoid overwatering, they’ll thrive,” says Mendoza.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light, or filtered sunlight.Soil Requirements: Well-draining succulent mix.Water Requirements: Water sparingly; soil should be dry before the next watering.6String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Like aloe vera, the string of pearls plant is a type of succulent that can be a bit tricky to grow indoors unless you have a bright, south-facing window. They need a solid four-plus hours of sunlight per day, all year round.
Hardiness Zone: 9-12Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light or morning sunlight.Soil Requirements: Fast-draining cactus mix.Water Requirements: Water when soil is dry, avoiding water sitting in the pot.
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7Echeveria (Echeveria spp.)
Mendoza loves to include echeverias in succulent bowl arrangements. “Echeverias are classic beauties with their symmetrical rosettes and variety of colors; they add so much charm to any space that gets direct bright light,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 9-12Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.Soil Requirements: Porous, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water deeply but infrequently.8Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata)
Along with jade plants and panda plants, the zebra haworthia is one of Mendoza’s favorite types of succulents for beginners. It can go weeks without watering and can tolerate medium or low light conditions.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
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9Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Yes, snake plants are technically a type of succulent! Another easy-care variety, snake plants don’t require frequent watering and can tolerate a variety of light conditions.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Tolerates low to bright light.Soil Requirements: Free-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water sparingly; only when soil is completely dry.10Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
A burro’s tail is a delicately beautiful trailing plant that is especially striking when grown in a hanging pot. As fragile as it is lovely, this plant is easily damaged and should be placed where it won’t be bumped or jostled.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Light, sandy, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water when soil is dry.
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11Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
This striking plant with a biblical-inspired name is a great choice for indoor gardeners. It produces colorful blooms and bright green leaves throughout most of the year. This plant needs three to four hours of direct sunlight per day, so it’s happiest when placed in a south-facing window. A slow grower, the crown of thorns can grow up to two feet as a houseplant.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, direct sunlight.Soil Requirements: Well-draining cactus mix.Water Requirements: Water deeply but let soil dry out between watering.12Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
Hens and chicks plants are better for experienced plant parents, notes Mendoza, and they generally do better when grown outdoors. They can lose some of their coloring if they don’t receive sufficient light, so it may be necessary to supplement with artificial lighting if you don’t have a window that receives several hours of bright light daily, all year round.
Hardiness Zone: 4-9Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light, or full sun.Soil Requirements: Gravelly, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Minimal water; let soil dry completely.
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13String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Like hens and chicks, the string of hearts might require the use of grow lights in order to thrive indoors. This plant’s delicate leaves need a solid four to six hours of bright, indirect light each day. A south- or west-facing window is a great spot for this sun-loving type of succulent.
Hardiness Zone: 10-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Well-draining, light soil mix.Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry out between watering.14Lithops (Lithops spp.)
“Lithops, or ‘living stones,’ can be tricky indoors because they’re so sensitive to overwatering and need very specific light levels,” says Mendoza. She considers lithops to be a better choice for more experienced gardeners.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Very little water; mimic desert conditions.
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15Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Flaming Katy makes a popular beginner houseplant because of its colorful flowers and easy care requirements. It should be placed in an east- or west-facing window with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can burn the plant’s leaves.
Hardiness Zone: 10-12Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light or morning sun.Soil Requirements: Well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Allow topsoil to dry before watering.16Ice Plant (Delosperma echinatum)
The leaves of the ice plant produce tiny calcium crystals that sparkle in the sun, giving the plant its name. Though this type of succulent does well indoors or out, the plant will typically only flower outdoors, or if it receives a lot of bright sunlight indoors, such as from a south-facing window.
Hardiness Zone: 6-10Light Requirements: Full sun to bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Well-draining, sandy soil.Water Requirements: Water when soil is completely dry.
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17Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe juvenna)
Perfect for indoor growing, the tiger tooth aloe needs minimal attention. It can tolerate partial sunlight, though it grows faster in bright, indirect light.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Light, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water sparingly when soil is dry.18Propeller Plant (Crassula perfoliata var. falcata)
Another low-maintenance type of succulent that’s easy to care for, the propeller plant has curved leaves that resemble airplane propellers.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Porous, well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water deeply and let soil dry.
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19Dolphin Plant (Senecio peregrinus)
This vining succulent is beloved for its folded leaves that look like tiny, leaping dolphins. Often grown in hanging pots, the dolphin plant is considered low-maintenance and thrives in sunny, south-facing windows.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.Soil Requirements: Well-draining soil.Water Requirements: Water when the topsoil feels dry.20Moonstone Plant (Pachyphytum oviferum)
Moonstone succulents thrive in both direct and indirect sunlight. If you keep your plant in a very sunny spot, it should be turned every few days to keep it healthy.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11Light Requirements: Bright, direct, or indirect light.Soil Requirements: Cactus or succulent mix.Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry completely before watering.
Martha Mendoza is the owner and founder of A Succulent Day, a Boise-based business specializing in unique succulent arrangements and plant care education. Originally from Córdoba, Mexico, Martha grew up surrounded by lush tropical forests, where her family’s love for plants deeply influenced her. This early exposure to greenery fostered her passion for succulents and cacti, admiring their resilience and beauty. Martha’s journey into the plant business began in 2016 when she started creating succulent arrangements and sharing them on Instagram. Her creations were well-received, leading her to participate in local markets. The positive response encouraged her to offer workshops, teaching others how to care for and arrange succulents. In August 2019, Martha opened the first brick-and-mortar location of A Succulent Day on State Street in Boise. The shop quickly became known for its thoughtfully curated selection of succulents and unique plant arrangements. Martha’s dedication to fostering a community of plant lovers is evident through the workshops and events she hosts, aiming to educate and inspire others in plant care and creative design.
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