Plant These 12 Succulents for Instant Impact in Containers
These gorgeous, easy-care succulents are ideal plants for container gardens
Lauren Dunec Hoang
20 April 2017
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, succulents can make perfect container plants — packing a lot of punch for their relatively small sizes. Here are 12 container-friendly succulents of all shapes and sizes, from rosette-forming echeveria to trailing sedum, to use as eye-catching accents in your outdoor space.
Planting and care tips. To prevent succulents from rotting, always plant in a quick-draining potting mix and make sure outdoor containers have a drainage hole. For most regions, position containers where they will receive four to six hours of bright sunlight or filtered sun to partial shade in hot inland areas. Water lightly at the base of the plants about once a week, allowing the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
For gardeners living in colder regions, most of these plants will do just fine if brought indoors over winter (with the exception of dudleya). Just be sure to place them where they will receive plenty of bright light.
For gardeners living in colder regions, most of these plants will do just fine if brought indoors over winter (with the exception of dudleya). Just be sure to place them where they will receive plenty of bright light.
1. Aeonium
(Aeonium spp.)
These grand dames of the succulent world look like saucer-sized flowers in garden beds. Most are native to the Canary Islands, with fleshy leaves that vary from yellow (Aeonium ‘Sunburst’), shown here, to dark red (Aeonium ‘Cyclops’).
Aeoniums can get leggy after a few years. Cut them back anytime other than in summer, leaving a few inches below each rosette, and allow the cutting to dry out before replanting it in dry soil.
(Aeonium spp.)
These grand dames of the succulent world look like saucer-sized flowers in garden beds. Most are native to the Canary Islands, with fleshy leaves that vary from yellow (Aeonium ‘Sunburst’), shown here, to dark red (Aeonium ‘Cyclops’).
Aeoniums can get leggy after a few years. Cut them back anytime other than in summer, leaving a few inches below each rosette, and allow the cutting to dry out before replanting it in dry soil.
Plant taller-growing varieties to add height and drama to container combinations. Dark-leaved ‘Zwartkop’ aeonium (Aeonium arboreum var. atropurpureum ‘Zwartkop’), shown here, will eventually grow up to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Here ‘Zwartkop’ is planted in a trio with dusty echeveria and a variegated agave.
Where it will grow: Varies by variety; many are hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 9 to 11; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide to 5 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Learn more about growing aeonium
Where it will grow: Varies by variety; many are hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 9 to 11; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide to 5 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Learn more about growing aeonium
2. Agave
(Agave spp.)
With their bold architectural forms, agaves make great statement plants in containers. For small to medium-size planters, look for varieties that stay fairly compact, like ‘Blue Glow’ agave (Agave ‘Blue Glow’), shown here, artichoke agave (Agave parryi var. truncata) and foxtail agave (Agave attenuata).
(Agave spp.)
With their bold architectural forms, agaves make great statement plants in containers. For small to medium-size planters, look for varieties that stay fairly compact, like ‘Blue Glow’ agave (Agave ‘Blue Glow’), shown here, artichoke agave (Agave parryi var. truncata) and foxtail agave (Agave attenuata).
Show off the starburst form of foxtail agave (Agave attenuata ‘Ray of Light’ is shown here) by planting it on its own in a container. Foxtail agaves are more sensitive to cold and baking heat than other species. Keep them out of direct sun in hot climates and provide shelter from frost.
Where it will grow: Varies widely by species; some are hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12); others are hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low; a few species need moderate water
Light requirement: Full sun is best for most; some require partial shade.
Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide to more than 4 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Learn more about growing agave
Where it will grow: Varies widely by species; some are hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12); others are hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low; a few species need moderate water
Light requirement: Full sun is best for most; some require partial shade.
Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide to more than 4 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Learn more about growing agave
3. Donkey Tail
(Sedum morganianum)
These blue-green, tail-like succulents are perfect for spilling over the edges of containers or trailing down from hanging baskets, as shown here in a planter with Aspidistra elatior. Native to Mexico, these whimsical succulents are commonly called burro’s tail. Be careful when planting: The long stems are brittle, and it’s easy to knock off the small, fleshy leaves.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Partial shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet wide, with trailing stems up to 4 feet long
(Sedum morganianum)
These blue-green, tail-like succulents are perfect for spilling over the edges of containers or trailing down from hanging baskets, as shown here in a planter with Aspidistra elatior. Native to Mexico, these whimsical succulents are commonly called burro’s tail. Be careful when planting: The long stems are brittle, and it’s easy to knock off the small, fleshy leaves.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Partial shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet wide, with trailing stems up to 4 feet long
4. Dudleya
(Dudleya spp.)
These silvery beauties stand out in dark containers like pale stars, forming eye-catching accents. Chalk dudleya (D. brittonii), shown here, is the most commonly available, and its pale silver color comes from a chalky powder covering the fleshy, pointed leaves. The dusty powder easily brushes off, so avoid overhandling the plants and move the pots into sheltered areas during heavy rain.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11), depending on species
Water requirement: Low to moderate; keep the soil relatively dry in summer
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species, most are 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing dudleya
(Dudleya spp.)
These silvery beauties stand out in dark containers like pale stars, forming eye-catching accents. Chalk dudleya (D. brittonii), shown here, is the most commonly available, and its pale silver color comes from a chalky powder covering the fleshy, pointed leaves. The dusty powder easily brushes off, so avoid overhandling the plants and move the pots into sheltered areas during heavy rain.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11), depending on species
Water requirement: Low to moderate; keep the soil relatively dry in summer
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species, most are 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing dudleya
5. Echeveria
(Echeveria spp.)
Perhaps the most widely planted succulent, echeveria is well-loved for its rose-like form with fleshy leaves in a rainbow of colors. Echeveria is originally native to Mexico, and there are as many as 180 species, with even more hybrids available.
Plant a single standout echeveria as the focal point of a mixed low-water container, or mass multicolored echeverias for the look of everlasting flowers.
(Echeveria spp.)
Perhaps the most widely planted succulent, echeveria is well-loved for its rose-like form with fleshy leaves in a rainbow of colors. Echeveria is originally native to Mexico, and there are as many as 180 species, with even more hybrids available.
Plant a single standout echeveria as the focal point of a mixed low-water container, or mass multicolored echeverias for the look of everlasting flowers.
Echeveria ‘Blue Waves’ underplanted with a blue-green sedum forms a stunning container combination.
Where it will grow: Hardiiness varies by species; most are hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species; from 6 inches tall and 1 foot wide to over 2 feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing echeveria
Where it will grow: Hardiiness varies by species; most are hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species; from 6 inches tall and 1 foot wide to over 2 feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing echeveria
6. Ghost Plant
(Graptopetalum spp.)
Ghost plants vary in form, from more compact, mounding rosettes to elongated trailing varieties. Use them in containers as a midsize filler, as their pale colors act as a foil for flashier specimen plants.
(Graptopetalum spp.)
Ghost plants vary in form, from more compact, mounding rosettes to elongated trailing varieties. Use them in containers as a midsize filler, as their pale colors act as a foil for flashier specimen plants.
Ghost plant’s colors range from blue-gray to pale yellow and pink. The pinkish cast of varieties such as Graptopetalum paraguayense, shown in this photo and above, intensifies in full sun.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 11)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species; 8 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Where it will grow: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 11)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: Varies by species; 8 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
7. Hens-and-Chicks
(Sempervivum)
Hens-and-chicks, also called houseleeks, are some of the most cold-hardy succulents available, with some species tolerant of subfreezing temperatures. There are many textures and forms, from tiny spheres covered in cobweb-like threads to rosettes.
Grow them in containers below larger succulents, or show off their diversity of forms in a tabletop rock garden. Native to European mountain slopes, hens-and-chicks thrive in quick-draining soil with little summer water.
(Sempervivum)
Hens-and-chicks, also called houseleeks, are some of the most cold-hardy succulents available, with some species tolerant of subfreezing temperatures. There are many textures and forms, from tiny spheres covered in cobweb-like threads to rosettes.
Grow them in containers below larger succulents, or show off their diversity of forms in a tabletop rock garden. Native to European mountain slopes, hens-and-chicks thrive in quick-draining soil with little summer water.
Hens-and-chicks deepen in color throughout the season with exposure to sunlight. Many look greener in winter and can turn pink or red by midsummer, depending on the species. S. tectorum, shown here, forms a mass of burgundy rosettes grown in a container in full sun. Baby “chicks” (smaller side rosettes) can be broken off and used in other containers.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 11), depending on species
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade in hot desert regions
Mature size: Varies from quarter-inch-diameter balls to 2 inches tall and 4 inches wide
Learn more about growing hens-and-chicks
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 11), depending on species
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade in hot desert regions
Mature size: Varies from quarter-inch-diameter balls to 2 inches tall and 4 inches wide
Learn more about growing hens-and-chicks
Jade plant adorns a table, and ‘Blue flame’ agave (Agave shawii x attenuata ‘Blue Flame’) fills large containers behind.
8. Jade Plant
(Crassula ovata)
Don’t write off common jade plants as being uninteresting and overused. Given the right treatment in a container, they can form stunning table centerpieces or standout houseplants, and they ask for hardly any care in return. To show off their miniature tree-like forms in simple, contemporary containers, cover the soil with dark gravel. Varieties like compact ‘Crosby’s Dwarf’ or red-tipped ‘Gollum’ stay small.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade inland
Mature size: Can reach up to 9 feet tall and 4 feet wide, but is usually kept smaller as a container plant
8. Jade Plant
(Crassula ovata)
Don’t write off common jade plants as being uninteresting and overused. Given the right treatment in a container, they can form stunning table centerpieces or standout houseplants, and they ask for hardly any care in return. To show off their miniature tree-like forms in simple, contemporary containers, cover the soil with dark gravel. Varieties like compact ‘Crosby’s Dwarf’ or red-tipped ‘Gollum’ stay small.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or 1.7 degrees Celsius (zones 10 to 12)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade inland
Mature size: Can reach up to 9 feet tall and 4 feet wide, but is usually kept smaller as a container plant
9. Medicinal Aloe
(Aloe vera)
Grow this useful plant in containers to have on hand to treat burns and insect bites. Although grown mainly for its medicinal uses, aloe vera forms an attractive plant with fleshy, sword-like leaves that grow up to 2 feet long. If you’d like to grow the plant in regions colder than Zone 8, plan to bring it indoors in the winter to sit on a sunny windowsill.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions, filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide
Learn more about growing aloe vera
(Aloe vera)
Grow this useful plant in containers to have on hand to treat burns and insect bites. Although grown mainly for its medicinal uses, aloe vera forms an attractive plant with fleshy, sword-like leaves that grow up to 2 feet long. If you’d like to grow the plant in regions colder than Zone 8, plan to bring it indoors in the winter to sit on a sunny windowsill.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions, filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide
Learn more about growing aloe vera
Pink-rimmed paddle plant (Kalanchoe luciae) stands tall in a container between the patio doors.
10. Paddle Plant
(Kalanchoe luciae)
With dramatic overlapping palm-size leaves edged with pink or red, paddle plant looks almost like underwater coral. Play up a beach theme in containers by mixing it with cascading blue-green sedums and starfish-like chalk dudleya. Exposure to full sun will encourage the margins of the leaves to darken from pink to deep red.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 1 foot to 1½ feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing paddle plant
10. Paddle Plant
(Kalanchoe luciae)
With dramatic overlapping palm-size leaves edged with pink or red, paddle plant looks almost like underwater coral. Play up a beach theme in containers by mixing it with cascading blue-green sedums and starfish-like chalk dudleya. Exposure to full sun will encourage the margins of the leaves to darken from pink to deep red.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Mature size: 1 foot to 1½ feet tall and wide
Learn more about growing paddle plant
11. Stonecrop
(Sedum spp.)
Low-growing sedums are useful as low-level fillers for mixed succulent containers. Plant them as a base layer between larger succulents to cover the soil and drape over the edges of the pot. Plant sedum on its own in a shallow container to form a low-water mossy-looking dish garden. Colors range from silver-blue (S. reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’) to burgundy (S. spurium ‘VooDoo’) and chartreuse (S. rupestre ‘Angelina’, shown here).
Where it will grow: Zones 3 to 11; hardiness varies by species. Many tolerate low temperatures, while others are frost-tender.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Varies by variety; most are low-growing at 3 to 6 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Learn more about growing stonecrop
(Sedum spp.)
Low-growing sedums are useful as low-level fillers for mixed succulent containers. Plant them as a base layer between larger succulents to cover the soil and drape over the edges of the pot. Plant sedum on its own in a shallow container to form a low-water mossy-looking dish garden. Colors range from silver-blue (S. reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’) to burgundy (S. spurium ‘VooDoo’) and chartreuse (S. rupestre ‘Angelina’, shown here).
Where it will grow: Zones 3 to 11; hardiness varies by species. Many tolerate low temperatures, while others are frost-tender.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Varies by variety; most are low-growing at 3 to 6 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Learn more about growing stonecrop
Silvery blue senecio trails over the edges of a container.
12. Senecio
(Senecio spp.)
Native to South Africa, senecio — commonly called blue chalk sticks — forms a silvery-blue carpet when planted as a ground cover or as a cooling accent in low-water container combinations. The most common varieties are S. mandraliscae and its slightly smaller counterpart, S. serpens.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade in desert regions
Mature size: 6 inches to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
More
Succulents in Containers: The Ultimate Easy-Care Mini Garden
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
12. Senecio
(Senecio spp.)
Native to South Africa, senecio — commonly called blue chalk sticks — forms a silvery-blue carpet when planted as a ground cover or as a cooling accent in low-water container combinations. The most common varieties are S. mandraliscae and its slightly smaller counterpart, S. serpens.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11)
Water requirement: Low to moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade in desert regions
Mature size: 6 inches to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
More
Succulents in Containers: The Ultimate Easy-Care Mini Garden
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
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This is spectacularly beautiful. What a gorgeous centerpiece!!
I can supply the plants and pots in Gauteng
I had the loveliest aloe vera some years ago the actually bloomed-beautiful orange flowers. I left it outside in Oklahoma a week too late and it froze to death. I have not yet forgiven myself but will try another one some day.