Types of Outdoor Succulents

Sempervivum Tectorum​

Sempervivum Tectorum is also known as Hens-and-Chicks and is easily identified by its thick leaves that grow together in the shape of a rose. The leaves are green at the base with crimson tips. The plant can grow 1 to 12 inches vertically and .5 to 18 inches horizontally. The plant enjoys bright, but not direct sunlight and thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 8.​

​Sedum Spp.​

Sedum Spp. is also known as Stonecrop. The 400 varieties of Sedum plants make it difficult to describe physical characteristics as the plants differ significantly based on species. The common thread between sedum plants is that the flowers typically bloom in a star-shaped pattern. The size of the plants ranges from short and squat (inches tall but several feet wide) to tall and thin (up to 3 feet tall and anywhere between 6 inches and 2 feet wide). The leaves range from green to dark red and the growth shapes range from bean shaped to rosette. The plants, based on the variety, enjoy bright sunlight to partial shade and thrive in hardiness zones 3 to 9. ​

​Agave Ovatifolia​

Agave Ovatifolia is also known as Whale’s Tongue Agave because of its wide, rounded leaves that grow together in the shape of a rose and large stature (up to 5 feet in height and 6 feet in width). The large leaves are serrated along the side. When the plant is in bloom a column protrudes vertically through the center of the plant (up to 14 feet in height) that is topped with yellow flowers. The plant enjoys full sunlight to partial shade and thrives in hardiness zones 7b to 11b.​

​Parodia Magnifica

Parodia Magnifica is also known as Ball Cactus because of its spherical shape (up to 3 feet high and 1.5 feet in diameter) but it grows more columnar as it matures. The green ball cactus is covered in yellow spines and a yellow flower protrudes from the top of the plant when in bloom. The plant enjoys bright sunlight to partial shade and thrives in hardiness zones 9 to 12.​

​Echeveria Pulvinata​

Echeveria Pulvinata is also known as Plush Plant and is easily identified by its thick leaves that grow together in the shape of a rose (up to 1 foot vertically and several feet horizontally). The leaves are green at the base with red tips. When the plant is in bloom a column protrudes vertically through the center of the plant (up to 1 foot in height) that features orange-red flowers. The plant enjoys direct sunlight and thrives in hardiness zones 9b to 11b.​

​Echeveria Spp.​

Echeveria Spp. is also known as Dudleya Plant. The 40 to 50 varieties of Echeveria make it difficult to describe physical characteristics as the plants differ based on species. Based on the variety, Dudleyas will either be in the shape of a rose or a clump of branched leaves. The color of the leaves ranges from green to light blue. The plant enjoys bright sunlight to partial shade and thrives in hardiness zones 9 to 11.​

​Cotyledon Orbiculata​

Cotyledon Orbiculata is also known as Pig’s Ear because of its fleshy, rounded leaves. The plant can grow to 4 feet in height and yellow, orange, or red flowers protrude from the stem (up to 2 feet in height) when in bloom. The plant enjoys bright sunlight and thrives in hardiness zones 9b to 12.​

​Aeonium Arboreum​

Aeonium Arboreum is also known as Zwartkop and is easily identified by its deep purple (almost black) leaves that grow together in the shape of a rose. The leaves protrude from stems that can grow up to 3 feet in height. The plant requires bright sunlight to keep the dark purple hues and thrives in hardiness zones 9 to 12.​

​Aloe Aristata​

Aloe Aristata is also known as Torch Plant and is easily identified by its clustered green leaves with yellowish spots that grow together in the shape of a rose (up to 2 feet in width). The leaves are serrated along the edges and can grow up to 1 foot in height. The plant enjoys bright sunlight and thrives in hardiness zones 7b to 10b.​

​Aeonium Davidbramwellii​

Aeonium Davidbramwellii is also known as Sunburst Plant because of its variegated coloring (white and green leaves that turn red in the sun). The plant can grow to 18 inches vertically and 24 inches horizontally and produces white flowers when in bloom. The plant enjoys bright sunlight and thrives in hardiness zone 10a.​