This list took me a long time to write because it’s really hard for a succulent addict to draw a shortlist! In the end I’ve gone for succulents I find especially interesting and beautiful, including a few classics you will probably recognise.
1. Crassula pubescens subs. radicans (Carpet Jade) This low spreading succulent is a favourite for two reasons; the first being that the leaves start to turn red when it is exposed to the sun, which looks gorgeous. The second reason why I love this succulent is its sweet delicate pompom flowers.
2. Haworthia fasciata (zebra plant)–Haworthias are brilliant succulents. However my favourite of them all is Haworthia fasciata, also known as zebra plant. There are many reasons why I like this succulent so much. One major reason is that I feel it’s a very tough and tolerant plant. It is also extremely attractive – I love the hot white stripes against the green.
3. Euphorbia bupleurifolia x susannae – This is a recent acquisition. I had been after one of these for a while so I was delighted when I saw one when I visited London’s very first cactus shop, the brilliantly named Prick, in Dalston. My reason for loving this succulent is that it looks like it should be growing near a beach. It reminds me of tropical places and the summer.
4. Euphorbia enopla – Another Euphorbia! This little plant is extremely tough and reminds me of a traditional Texas cactus that you might see in a western. Its spines are very painful when you accidently manage to impale yourself on one, but an extremely sexy dark rusty red, and they look awesome when the sun catches them. I guess I will forgive it for poking me in the thumb.
5. Crassula aborescens(silver dollar plant)– I am a big fan of succulents that get a red tinge when exposed to strong sunlight, and this Crassula is no exception. It gets red tips to its leaves which contrast beautifully to the blue-green colour of the plant. I believe there are a couple of varieties, one with flatter, broader leaves, and one with smaller wavier leaves. I am a fan of both, although if I had to choose I would choose the wavier leaved variety.
6. Sedum morganianum (burro’s tail) – This is a hugely popular succulent. It is a well-known trailer, although I haven’t managed to grow one that is long enough to trail (yet!) Although it is very fragile and easily disturbed, I had to include it because it’s so cool and the prettiest colour!
7. Rhipsalis capiliformis (old man’s beard) – another trailer succulent, although in my opinion quite underrated. I love this succulent. It pours out of this hanging white pot in my living room. I love how green and lush it looks, especially against a white wall. It is a very easy succulent to look after because it makes it obvious when it needs to be watered. It tolerates lower light levels well, and you can give it a haircut if you feel it is getting unruly!
8. Pilosocereus azureus (blue torch cactus) This is a lovely cactus – I like its mustard spines against its blue-green body. It is one my most unusual cacti and most importantly it hasn’t given me any hassle!
9. Sempervivum (common house leek) Sempervivums are amazing plants. They are one of the few succulents that will survive outside during a UK winter as they tolerate below freezing temperatures. Sempervivum means “always living” in Latin. I have seen semp rosettes go black and rotten after being covered in snow in the winter and then re-grow good as new in the spring. They have an extremely attractive rosette shape and come in a beautiful range of colours. While they can cope with low temperatures, try to protect them from heavy rain or snowfall.
Echeveria (hens and chicks) I have not specified a certain variety of Echeveria because I do not actually have a favourite. They are probably the most well-known type of succulent and very popular with succulent fans because of their gorgeous plump rosettes and wide variety of colours and styles. It was Echeverias that got my attention when I was first getting acquainted with succulents and I think they will always be one of my favourite types of succulent.
So there you have my top 10 Succulents. I would be interested to know what your favourites are. Please feel free to share this post on social media:
Haworthias are brilliant succulents. However my favourite of them all is Haworthia fasciata, also known as zebra plant. There are many reasons why I like this succulent so much. One major reason is that I feel it’s a very tough and tolerant plant. It is also extremely attractive – I love the hot white stripes against the green.
This is a recent acquisition. I had been after one of these for a while so I was delighted when I saw one when I visited London’s very first cactus shop, the brilliantly named Prick, in Dalston. My reason for loving this succulent is that it looks like it should be growing near a beach. It reminds me of tropical places and the summer.
– Another Euphorbia! This little plant is extremely tough and reminds me of a traditional Texas cactus that you might see in a western. Its spines are very painful when you accidently manage to impale yourself on one, but an extremely sexy dark rusty red, and they look awesome when the sun catches them. I guess I will forgive it for poking me in the thumb.
(silver dollar plant)– I am a big fan of succulents that get a red tinge when exposed to strong sunlight, and this Crassula is no exception. It gets red tips to its leaves which contrast beautifully to the blue-green colour of the plant. I believe there are a couple of varieties, one with flatter, broader leaves, and one with smaller wavier leaves. I am a fan of both, although if I had to choose I would choose the wavier leaved variety.
– This is a hugely popular succulent. It is a well-known trailer, although I haven’t managed to grow one that is long enough to trail (yet!) Although it is very fragile and easily disturbed, I had to include it because it’s so cool and the prettiest colour!
– another trailer succulent, although in my opinion quite underrated. I love this succulent. It pours out of this hanging white pot in my living room. I love how green and lush it looks, especially against a white wall. It is a very easy succulent to look after because it makes it obvious when it needs to be watered. It tolerates lower light levels well, and you can give it a haircut if you feel it is getting unruly!
This is a lovely cactus – I like its mustard spines against its blue-green body. It is one my most unusual cacti and most importantly it hasn’t given me any hassle!
Sempervivums are amazing plants. They are one of the few succulents that will survive outside during a UK winter as they tolerate below freezing temperatures. Sempervivum means “always living” in Latin. I have seen semp rosettes go black and rotten after being covered in snow in the winter and then re-grow good as new in the spring. They have an extremely attractive rosette shape and come in a beautiful range of colours. While they can cope with low temperatures, try to protect them from heavy rain or snowfall.
I have not specified a certain variety of Echeveria because I do not actually have a favourite. They are probably the most well-known type of succulent and very popular with succulent fans because of their gorgeous plump rosettes and wide variety of colours and styles. It was Echeverias that got my attention when I was first getting acquainted with succulents and I think they will always be one of my favourite types of succulent.
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