If the indoor gardening bug has bitten you and you are looking for some fuss-free plants that bring life to your indoor spaces, you're in the right place. With their wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, succulents are a fantastic choice for indoor greenery.
Not only do succulents add a touch of natural beauty to any room, but they're also wonderfully low-maintenance. So, without further ado, let's delve into our top 15 succulents for growing indoors!
1. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
This hearty succulent, known as the "money plant," is an indoor favorite. The jade plant's shiny, dark green leaves symbolize growth and renewal. It appreciates a sunny window and occasional watering. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
Jade plants can live for a very long time and can propagate easily. Let a leaf or stem cut dry for a few days, then plant it in well-draining soil. With proper care, your jade plant can grow into a stunning indoor tree, adding charm to your home for years to come.
2. Echeveria
Echeveria is a large genus of succulent plants native to Central America and widely admired for their stunning rosette shape. These succulents come in a variety of colors, from soft greens and blues to vibrant pinks and purples, making them a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts.
Echeverias thrive in bright light and require several hours of direct sunlight to maintain their vivid colors and compact, symmetrical form. Without enough light, they can become leggy and lose their appeal.
Watering should be minimal, as Echeverias prefer dry conditions. When you water, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil, but let it dry out completely before the next watering.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's essential to ensure well-draining soil and careful watering practices.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most popular succulents due to its health benefits. The gel inside its thick, fleshy leaves can treat minor burns and cuts.
This plant loves bright light and needs watering deeply but infrequently. It's also very easy to propagate. Remove a mature pup from the mother plant and repot it.
Aloe Vera is drought-tolerant, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Just ensure that the plant is in well-draining soil to avoid root rot.
4. Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)
The zebra plant, with its white striped pattern, is a delightful addition to any indoor garden. It's a small plant, perfect for a desk or windowsill, and it loves a bit of shade, making it suitable for rooms without much natural light.
As with most succulents, let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Zebra plants also thrive in well-draining soil, which helps prevent root rot and keeps the plant healthy. They are relatively low-maintenance and can go for extended periods without watering.
5. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
The Christmas cactus is a unique succulent that prefers cooler temperatures and indirect light. Unlike most succulents, it prefers higher humidity and more frequent watering.
It blooms beautiful red, pink, or white flowers during the holiday season, making it a popular gift plant. To encourage blooming, keep the plant in a cool room with minimal light in the weeks leading up to the holidays.
Proper care can ensure it blooms annually, brightening up your home during the festive season.
Read more: What Size Pot Is Best For Christmas Cactus?
6. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
This captivating succulent has round, bead-like leaves cascading down the pot's sides, making it perfect for a hanging basket. It adds an elegant touch to any indoor or outdoor space, creating a lush, trailing effect that draws attention.
It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, a common issue if the plant is overwatered. Additionally, using a pot with drainage holes is crucial to ensure excess water escapes, maintaining the plant's health.
Propagation is easy with this plant: take a cutting, let it dry out for a few days, then plant it in new soil. For optimal results, place the cutting in a warm, bright spot, and new roots should form within a few weeks.
7. Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)
The burro's tail is another fantastic hanging succulent. Its trailing stems can grow up to 4 feet long, with plump, blue-green leaves that give it a distinct and attractive appearance.
This plant is perfect for hanging baskets, where its long stems can cascade down beautifully, adding a lush, natural vibe to any space. It prefers bright light but can tolerate some shade, making it versatile for both indoor and outdoor environments.
However, to maintain its vibrant color and healthy growth, placing it in a spot with ample sunlight is ideal. Watering should be done sparingly in the winter, as the plant's growth slows during this period.
Related: 31 Funny Succulents Names That Never Fail to Make Us Laugh
8. Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
The panda plant gets its name from the furry, gray-green leaves with brownish spots on the edges, which resemble a panda's fur. This plant is native to Madagascar and can grow up to 2 feet tall. It loves lots of light and prefers the soil to dry out between waterings.
As a succulent, the panda plant is quite drought-tolerant and stores water in its thick leaves, allowing it to survive extended dry periods. It is also known for its slow growth, making it an excellent choice for indoor settings or small containers.
Additionally, its velvety texture not only adds to its charm but also helps protect the plant from harsh sunlight by reflecting some of the sun's rays.
9. Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata 'Gollum')
This unique jade plant variety has tubular leaves that resemble green fingers or "Shrek's ears." It can grow quite tall and wide and prefers a sunny window. As with the standard jade plant, be cautious about overwatering; let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Known as Crassula ovata ‘Gollum,’ this variety is a slow grower but can reach impressive sizes over time, sometimes up to 3 feet in height. Its distinctive, fleshy leaves also make it a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts.
Like other succulents, it thrives in well-draining soil and can tolerate periods of neglect, making it a hardy and low-maintenance addition to any collection.
10. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Crown of Thorns is a fascinating succulent with spiny stems and small, brightly colored flowers that bloom throughout the year.
This plant loves bright light and warmer temperatures. It's drought-tolerant, so it prefers to be on the drier side, but it will need more water during its growing season in the spring and summer.
Native to Madagascar, the Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) is also known for its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, including poor soil and indoor environments.
Its flowers, which can be red, pink, or yellow, add a vibrant splash of color to any setting, making it a popular choice for both gardens and indoor pots.
11. Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria)
If you're interested in growing a cactus indoors, the pincushion cactus is a great choice. This small, round cactus is covered in spines and produces lovely pink flowers. It requires a lot of light and sparse watering. During winter months, watering may reduce to once a month.
Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, the pincushion cactus (Mammillaria) is known for its ability to thrive in arid environments. Because of its compact size, it’s well-suited to indoor cultivation and rarely grows more than a few inches tall.
Its flowers, which often bloom in a ring around the top, make it an attractive option for both novice and experienced cactus enthusiasts.
12. Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum, often known as Hens and Chicks, is a fun, low-growing succulent that produces clusters of rosettes. The 'hen' is the main plant, and the 'chicks' are the offspring the “hen” produces.
These plants are extremely cold-hardy and can even survive a frost. They prefer bright light and well-draining soil. Native to the mountains of southern Europe, Sempervivum is well adapted to harsh conditions, thriving in rocky and poor soil environments.
Its ability to survive drought and freezing temperatures makes it a resilient choice for outdoor gardens and container planting. Over time, the 'chicks' will detach from the 'hen' and form new plants, making this succulent easy to propagate and share with others.
13. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
The ponytail palm, despite its name, is a succulent. Its thick, water-storing trunk and long, arching leaves give it a unique, tropical appearance that can add a touch of exotic elegance to any indoor space.
While it can eventually grow quite large, this plant grows very slowly, and you can keep it in a pot for many years. The ponytail palm thrives in bright light and requires very little water, making it a fantastic, low-maintenance addition to your indoor garden.
14. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Often hailed as one of the easiest houseplants to care for, the snake plant is a must-have for any indoor succulent collection. Its upright, sword-like leaves can add a striking architectural element to your space. Its ability to tolerate various light conditions and infrequent watering makes it an incredibly resilient plant.
Plus, the snake plant is known for its air-purifying abilities, helping to filter out toxins and improve the indoor air quality in your home. In addition, the snake plant can even thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, such as low humidity, making it perfect for various indoor environments.
Its low susceptibility to pests further enhances its reputation as a hardy and dependable houseplant.
15. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Rounding out our list is the stunning desert rose. This succulent boasts thick, swollen stems and beautiful, rose-like flowers that can add color to your indoor space.
The desert rose thrives in bright light and prefers to dry out between waterings. With patience and the right care, this succulent can become a true showstopper in your indoor garden.
Not only is it admired for its vibrant blooms, but the desert rose is also known for its unique trunk shape, which can grow into intriguing forms over time, adding both beauty and character to your collection.
Succulents: Easy Care and a Joy to Behold
Thanks to their wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, succulents are a wonderful way to add a touch of green to your indoor spaces. These plants are hardy, low-maintenance, and perfect for seasoned plant lovers or gardening newbies.
With our list of the top succulents for indoor growing, we hope we've inspired you to start or expand your indoor succulent collection. Now that you’re a succulent fan, we hope you will enjoy these additional readings:
The Joy Of Succulents: How A Husband And Wife’s Passion For Gardening Became A Viral Sensation