Top 15 Best Outdoor Succulents for Your Garden

Table of Contents

When it comes to gardening, succulents are a popular choice among gardeners due to their low maintenance and unique appearance. If you're looking to add some outdoor succulents to your garden or landscape, we've got you covered. In this article, we will be discussing the top 15 best outdoor succulents that are easy to care for and will add charm to your outdoor space.

Best Outdoor Succulents

1. Agave americana

Agave americana, also known as the century plant, is a hardy succulent that can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide. It has thick, fleshy leaves with sharp tips that form a rosette shape. This succulent thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Agave americana requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. It's important to avoid overwatering as it can cause root rot. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

2. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a common succulent that's well-known for its medicinal properties. It has long, pointed leaves that grow in a rosette pattern, and produces yellow or orange flowers in the summer. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Aloe vera requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. It's important to avoid getting water on the foliage as it can cause rot. This succulent also benefits from fertilization during the growing season.

3. Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a popular succulent that's known for its late-season blooms. It has fleshy, blue-green leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and produces pink flowers in late summer to early fall. This succulent thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

4. Echeveria 'Black Prince'

Echeveria 'Black Prince' is a stunning succulent that has dark, almost black foliage. It has rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves that grow in a compact shape. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Echeveria 'Black Prince' requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also sensitive to overwatering, so it's important to avoid getting water on the foliage. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

5. Crassula ovata

Crassula ovata, also known as jade plant or money tree, is a popular succulent that's often grown as a houseplant but can thrive outdoors in warm climates. It has thick, glossy leaves and produces white or pink flowers in the winter. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Crassula ovata requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also sensitive to overwatering, so it's important to avoid getting water on the foliage. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

6. Sempervivum

Sempervivum, also known as hens and chicks, is a group of succulents that form rosettes of fleshy leaves. They come in a variety of colors and can be grown indoors or outdoors. This succulent prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Sempervivum requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

7. Yucca filamentosa

Yucca filamentosa, also known as Adam's needle, is a hardy succulent with sword-like leaves that are green and yellow-striped. It produces white flowers on tall spikes in the summer. This succulent thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Yucca filamentosa requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

8. Agave parryi

Agave parryi is a slow-growing succulent that has blue-green leaves with sharp tips. It forms a rosette shape and produces yellow flowers on tall spikes in the summer. This succulent thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Agave parryi requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

9. Kalanchoe luciae

Kalanchoe luciae, also known as paddle plant or flapjacks, is a unique succulent that has flat, round leaves that turn red on the edges when exposed to bright sunlight. It produces yellow flowers in the spring. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Kalanchoe luciae requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

10. Sempervivum arachnoideum

Sempervivum arachnoideum, also known as cobweb houseleek, is a succulent that has rosettes of fleshy leaves with fine white hairs that resemble spiderwebs. It produces pink flowers in the summer. This succulent prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Sempervivum arachnoideum requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

11. Aeonium arboreum

Aeonium arboreum is a succulent that has rosettes of green or purple leaves that grow on woody stems. It produces yellow flowers in the winter. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Aeonium arboreum requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

12. Agave attenuata

Agave attenuata is a succulent that has soft, pliable leaves that form a rosette shape. It produces yellow or green flowers on tall spikes in the summer. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Agave attenuata requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

13. Delosperma cooperi

Delosperma cooperi, also known as ice plant, is a succulent that produces vibrant pink or purple flowers in the summer. It has fleshy leaves that form a mat-like ground cover. This succulent prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Delosperma cooperi requires infrequent watering, only when the soil is completely dry. This succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn't require fertilization.

14. Graptopetalum paraguayense

Graptopetalum paraguayense is a succulent that has rosettes of blue-green leaves that grow on long stems. It produces pink or white flowers in the summer. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Graptopetalum paraguayense requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

15. Portulacaria afra

Portulacaria afra, also known as elephant bush, is a succulent that has small, round leaves that grow on woody stems. It produces pink or white flowers in the summer. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.

Care Tips:

Portulacaria afra requires moderate watering, only when the soil is completely dry. Fertilize this succulent once a month during the growing season.

Adding outdoor succulents to your garden or landscape can be a wonderful way to add unique texture and interest. With so many different types of succulents to choose from, it's easy to find one that will thrive in your specific environment. Keep in mind that succulents require well-draining soil and infrequent watering to avoid overwatering and root rot.

FAQs

Q: How often should I water outdoor succulents?

A:

Outdoor succulents should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering can cause root rot and kill the plant.

Q: Do outdoor succulents need fertilizer?

A:

While outdoor succulents don't necessarily need fertilizer, they can benefit from occasional fertilization during the growing season.

Q: Can outdoor succulents survive cold winters?

A:

It depends on the specific type of succulent and the climate. Some succulents are hardy and can survive freezing temperatures, while others are sensitive to cold weather.