The 15 Best Succulents to Grow Indoors: A Guide to Low-Maintenance Greenery

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)

Crassula ovata, known as lucky plant or money tree in a white pot in front of a window on a rainy day

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.

2. Echeveria

Clay pot of various of flowering echeveria

Echeveria is a large genus of succulent plants native to Central America. Their rosette shape and various colors and sizes make them a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts.

Echeverias require a lot of light to maintain their colors and compact rosette form. They don't require much water, but when you do water, soak the soil and let it dry out completely before watering again.

3. Aloe Vera

Green leaves of home aloe vera in pot

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.

4. Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)

Haworthia zebra plant in natural sunlight

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.

5. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

Christmas cactus in pot on the windowsill

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.

6. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

String of pearls in a terracotta flower pot

This captivating succulent has round, bead-like leaves cascading down the pot's sides, making it perfect for a hanging basket.

It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.

Propagation is easy with this plant: take a cutting, let it dry out for a few days, then plant it in new soil.

7. Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

burro's tail plant (donkey’s tail) succulent

The burro's tail is another fantastic hanging succulent. Its trailing stems can grow up to 4 feet long, with plump, blue-green leaves.

It prefers bright light but can tolerate some shade. Watering should be done sparingly in the winter and more frequently during the growing season.

8. Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

Panda plant placed in black pot

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.

9. Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata 'Gollum')

Crassula ovata gollum in a decorative planter with coins in it

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.

10. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Euphorbia milii or the crown of thorns

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.

11. Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria)

Mammillaria spinosissima cactus with pink flowers

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.

12. Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)

Sempervivum tectorum in a flower pot

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.

13. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

Ponytail palm near window

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)

Sansevieria plants on table in modern room

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.

15. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

A vase of pink desert rose with several flowers

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.

Now that you’re a succulent fan, we hope you will enjoy this additional reading:

Indoor Succulent Garden Ideas

The Joy Of Succulents: How A Husband And Wife’s Passion For Gardening Became A Viral Sensation

11 Beautiful Succulents That Don’t Need Sun

Watch How A Broken Pot Became A Stunning Succulent Arrangement

Succulents: Easy Care and a Joy to Behold

Succulents are a wonderful way to add a touch of green to your indoor spaces, thanks to their wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. These plants are hardy, low-maintenance, and perfect for seasoned plant lovers or gardening newbies. 

With our list of the top 15 succulents for indoor growing, we hope we've inspired you to start or expand your indoor succulent collection.

Whether you like the timeless elegance of a Jade Plant, the unique appearance of a String of Pearls, or the vibrant blooms of a Desert Rose, there's a succulent out there that's sure to capture your heart. 

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