In spite of its petite mature size of 3 inches, the remarkable Aloinopsis luckhoffii commands attention with its profusion of fleshy geometric leaves topped with bumpy white dots. See more winter hardy succulents here and more on rosette forming succulents, hardy and tender. Succulents, like cacti, have adapted to harsh conditions by developing fleshy stems, roots, and leaves that retain moisture, which is what makes them so easy to care for. Even though the water still has nowhere to flow out, it’s easier for the water to evaporate if the soil has large particles (1/4″ or 6mm is ideal). If your plant doesn't look like either, or looks like a combination of two different plants based on the characteristics, this is most likely what you have. These two are both called Carrion Flowers, after the distinctive smell of rotting meat that the flowers give off as they open. These succulents look nothing like the pictures on Amazon. The amazing variety and wondrous textures of a carpet of them is not to be forgotten. Some succulent species have fleshy leaves that grow in a rosette shape, giving the plant a spiky look. Zones 10-11; Full or partial light for 6-12 hours a day. They are particularly sensitive to excess water. Since succulents come from different families, they vary in growth habits too. The blooms look more like fancy earrings than flowers, made out of delicate and intricate pieces. It is still an exciting and hardy plant that thrives with a little neglect even if it does not look like it! This Succulent Identification Chart can help you find your plant: check the general description for some similar plants. One of the most endearing traits of these interesting plants is the protective prickles, fuzz or velvet. But, I wouldn’t go so far as to say succulents rarely need water. A single specimen of echeveria, 'Blue Curls' makes an exquisite statement in a terrarium with its frilly leaves and pink and aqua coloration. If you like succulents that don’t look like succulents, the Hoya is a great choice! Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. The squared-off leaf tips of Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy' give it a sea urchin appearance and look handsome when planted in groups or combined with other succulents in a dish garden. While some types of succulents have somewhat exacting care requirements, most are easy to grow because they evolved with special water-storage tissues that allow them to survive in environments that are too dry for most other plants. Plants are easy to propagate by leaf cuttings. Please enter the word that you see below. Twist off a leaf from the stem and insert it into a moist cactus mix. Some of the fantastically strange plants like the mermaid tail or the opal-like clear succulents look like they’re from another planet and something that aliens keep on their alien desks in their alien offices.. Smaller species and varieties of Aloe are commonly grown as house plants, and in areas that don't get frost - or much anyway, these are great garden and landscape plants too. Don't kill this plant with kindness; the best growing conditions are those that mimic its native habitat of South Africa: full sun (using grow lights if necessary), sharply draining soil, and very spare irrigation. The plants from cuttings will bloom sooner than those from seed, but the cutting propagated ones don't grow the interesting thickened stem. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Agave look similar to Aloe, but generally have a wicked spike on the end of every leaf. Don’t buy succulents that are glued into rocks in a pot (it won’t be able to spread its roots). var year=today.getFullYear() Others, like Epiphyllum are called Orchid Cactus due to the huge flowers in bright pink, orange, white or yellow. Satakorn / Getty Images The Echeveria genus of succulents, also known as Mexican hens and chicks, encompasses hundreds of rosette-forming plants native to Mexico, Central America, and South America.The squared-off leaf tips of Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy' give it a sea urchin appearance and look handsome when planted in groups or combined with other succulents in a dish garden. Graptopetalum are a similar and related plant to Echeveria, and in fact are so closely related that they actually hybridize to form the intergeneric hybrid x Graptoveria. Learn how to bring them indoors and be happy and healthy with this free e-course;  Fill in your name and email address on the form below to enroll! By using The Spruce, you accept our, Graptoveria Topsy Debbi (Lilac Spoons) Plant Profile, The Best Low-Maintenance Succulents to Grow Outdoors, 9 Low-Maintenance Succulent Plants for Indoor Gardening, How to Grow Texas Sotol (Dasylirion texanum), 14 Cacti and Other Succulents Plants for Your Landscape, 14 Unusual Aloe Species for Your Frost-Free Garden. In addition to the fascinating leaf form of pebbled tiger jaws, the plants may produce golden yellow flowers that nearly obscure the plant in fall and winter. Low Light Succulents – Indoor Succulents. Give it plenty of light and water sparingly, and see if the unusual appeal of this succulent grows on you. If you don’t like the look of an etiolated succulent, such as an echeveria, try this technique to start a new one. The speckles on plover egg plants will become more pronounced in bright sunlight. You only have to water them once a week or even less than that! Don’t buy neon-painted cacti or succulents (the paint isn’t good for the plant). That’s one reason I wrote “Succulent Container Gardens.” Those that are rosette-shaped resemble flowers, and don’t look anything like cactus. Here are a bunch of low light succulents that don’t really mind the lower levels of light. Gasteria can be smooth or pebbly but never have much in the way of armament, or spines. There are several forms, and lots of different cultivars. Look at the descriptions below, and see if your plant fits into one of the categories; then go through the examples to find your plant. Schlumbergera is the Christmas Cactus, one of the Holiday Cactus group, which open in late fall until early spring, depending on the genus and species. It could be that due to their common habit of being biennial the rosettes all tend to bloom at once, after which they die. The pictures show a pretty plant that is larger than the pot it is sitting in and the colors are vibrant. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Start growing these 13 succulents that grow like a weed and get back your green thumb again. This unusual form, along with hues of green, gray, and brown, help the plants blend in with rocks, a survival adaptation to prevent being eaten. They all prefer a fast-draining potting medium that's not watere… Its spherical shape adds heft and textural interest to plantings, but don't bear the spines one would expect on a round succulent. find out more about how to grow them successfully, this chart might help Portulacaria afra is the Elephants Food - an uncommon name for a great little plant. Sedum, or stonecrop, come in an infinity of forms. Want your succulents to survive the winter? Many of the smaller species carry their propagules high up over their backs on brittle threads which can break easily and release the tiny chicks which roll away to root a distance from the hen. Eventually, it can make a considerable colony, all from a single plant. Notice whether your plant is spiky, chubby, rosette forming or even has baby It's a toss up... Ceropegia woodii is the tongue twisting name (appropriately) of Hearts Entangled. Is it beautiful or hideous? Graptopetalums such as 'Topsy Debbie' form rosettes of leaves that spread by offsets, which easily form new plants for your propagating pleasure. Well-draining soil. When we think of succulents, we usually picture small, interesting looking plants perched atop colorful stones or diverse pots.They come in all hues, shapes and sizes, and some actually look like beautiful sea creatures that escaped the underwater wonder of the world otherwise known as Atlantis. If you’re tired of having the same succulents as your neighbor, or you simply want a conversation starter, here are ten of the weirdest looking succulents and cacti. They can also be found in every color of the rainbow. The popularity of succulent plants has exploded in recent years, due not only to the low-care requirements of these sun lovers but also because of the diversity of these fascinating plants. Although the stems are slender and thin, the leaves are fleshy, and it's got little tubers - hence, a succulent. If your plant doesn't look like either, or looks like a combination of two different plants based on the characteristics, this is most likely what you have. While we’ve seen many of them, some are so bizarre that they look like something out of a sci-fi movie. information on similar plants. There are many different varieties to choose from - the plain green one is only the start. you can find in nurseries, garden centers, as a cutting from a friend or They have been known to continue to grow even under extremely cold conditions, but they are also very sensitive to excess moisture at certain times of the year. Plants must grow in full sun for best health and vigor. Cold Hardy taller Sedum, otherwise known as Stonecrop is a common garden plant, but it comes in many guises. This is to avoid any damage to the plant. Some have spikes, some don’t. As with other succulents, they are attractive, drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Euphorbia obesa is just the plump character to beef up your indoor container garden. If the plants become too dry and the leaves separate from the stems, you can use them to start new plants if you act quickly. Still no luck? White-striped zebra plants, Haworthia fasciata, are particularly popular succulents that look like mini aloe plants (but aren’t). But if you ask us, that’s what makes them so stunning! Everyone wants to have only succulents in their house right now because they are the easiest plant to keep alive. It’s a big deal! If you've ever observed the fleshy wattle of a turkey or rooster, you have seen something these fowl have in common with echeveria 'Barbillion': they are both carunculated. Native to South Africa, this type of succulent grows in clusters with soft, fleshy leaves that are clear at the top. It gets this nickname because it looks like a bunch of tiny green bananas are growing from it! This succulent is perfect for a hanging basket as its vines can get up to three feet long. This term refers to a bumpy, fleshy growth. The classic aloe plant has gotten an update: Aloe hawthoroides has dozens of feathery bristles on each leaf, which are all bark but no bite. Red and white flowers may peek out between the 2-inch leaves on mature plants. The edges of the leaves, although sharp, are not toothed. Where they are allowed to spread and develop their full shape and size, they will bloom with a tall flower spike with bell like blooms in shades of red, pink and peach. If your succulent has babies growing on the edges of the leaves, it could be one of the Kalanchoe species, many of which have this odd characteristic. — Debra Pepperomia is a huge genus - lots to choose from there. Insignificant yellow flowers may appear on stalks in the spring. There are hundreds of succulents to choose from, from common varieties such as Aloe vera to lesser know species such as Haworthia truncata or Lithops.Most succulents work well as houseplants and need very little care. Rosularia have been grown by avid rock garden enthusiasts and collectors for a long time, but you seldom see these plants for sale. Lithops are pebble plants and look just like little round pieces of gravel. Succulents don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil, so drainage is important to prevent rot. Succulents need a surprising amount of water to thrive. The flowers are spectacular and short lived - some open only at night, such as with Queen of the Night, and the only sign of them opening is the strong fragrance. Click on the pictures below for more about each different plant - there are so many of them! Some have the infamous rosette form, others are branching and trailing like Crassula ovata and Senecio rowleyanus.These kinds are great for indoors since they are compact and they adjust well to low light.. Aloe vera, Euphorbia tirucalli, and Echinocactus grusonii have thicker parts that thrive under full sun. Find out which plants make you want to pet them. With some varieties of succulents, you may notice tiny ‘babies’ growing along the leaf edges. Other giveaway traits are the water marks, or lines on the leaves left by the previous layer of leaves. Courtesy of special_plants_world on Instagram Is anyone else obsessed with succulent plants? Don’t buy a plant with a translucent, squishy base or leaves (it might be over-watered or have root rot). They are known as 'rollers' for this habit. Ah, Sempervivum; my favorite hardy succulent! Other types of succulents have spiky, oval, smooth, or strappy-shaped leaves. While larger succulents are often used singly as accent or container plants, smaller succulents are getting a second look for use as ground covers. Pebbled tiger jaw plants fill a niche for those who need a shade-tolerant succulent, but they also require more irrigation than most succulents. The leaves are sometimes pleated, and other times thick and succulent, often variegated. Jamie has written about gardening and special occasion flowers since 2011. These lovely and easy to grow plants grace my xeric garden with their gorgeous ever changing colors and textures, and using them in succulent crafts has been nothing but pleasure. 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