12 unusual succulents to set your houseplant collection apart
Succulents are great houseplants for every level of gardener. In general, these drought-tolerant plants don't need a lot of water, so they'll forgive you if you forget to water for a while. Here are some of the most stunning varieties to add (or start) to your collection.
Strawberry Ice Succulent
Echeveria Strawberry Ice sounds like a refreshing drink to enjoy on a hot summer day, but it's actually a pretty (and rare) blush. These plants are very small, about an inch in height and width. The plump leaves are arranged to make this succulent look like a rose. Place your strawberry ice succulent through a window with bright light and water once the soil has dried. Sometimes these succulents lose their rose color, but a little water and sunlight should restore their beautiful pink color.
Other garden links 👇
Reasons not to trim your garden this fall
Clear succulent
No, your eyes are not deceiving you. These are real plants. Most of the clear succulents are Haworthia cooperi varieties and their leaves look like drops of water. Native to South Africa, these plants grow only three inches tall and wide, sometimes displaying small white flowers in spring and summer. They like bright light, but not direct sun, and require frequent watering in summer, but only monthly watering in winter.
Heart-Shape Succulent
One look at this heart-shaped succulent and you will fall in love with it. Conophytum pilopum is a rare succulent plant from South Africa, also known as living pebbles because of its plump leaves. Place your heart-shaped succulent by a window, making sure it gets plenty of sunlight, and water it when the soil dries out. Sweetheart Hoya is a very common succulent that can give you hearty eyes.
Mini Succulents
While most of the succulents on this list are on the small side, none are quite as small as these. These itty bitty plants only need a few drops of water every month because they are so small. Becca Stevens, who runs Botanical Pride, notes that these arrangements are fun for a few months, but it's best to repoting the mini succulents into a larger container so they can continue to grow.
Succulent-related care tips 👇
Mermaid Tail Succulent
If you're interested in buying your next plant, check out the aptly named angel tail succulent. Senecio Vitalis cristata, native to South Africa, thrives in direct sunlight and should be watered when the topsoil feels dry. If this crested plant isn't in the budget right now, look for a much cheaper coral cactus that has a similar fan shape.
Bunny Ears Cactus
A bunny ears cactus is a fun addition to your indoor garden. Not only do the pods on Opuntia microdasys look like rabbit ears, but the spines on them are fuzzy like fur. Native to Mexico, this cactus can reach about two feet tall when grown as a houseplant. It prefers a sunny location with frequent watering in the spring and summer and only needs moisture once a month in the fall and winter.
Black Succulents
There are many varieties of this haunting black succulent. Pictured here is Aeonium arboreum 'Swardkopf', also known as Black Rose Aeonium. This dark-leaved beauty has stems that can grow up to three feet tall with rosettes of paddle-like leaves eight inches in diameter. Black rose aeonium likes lots of sunlight and needs frequent watering when it's hot and humid. This makes for a unique indoor Halloween decoration that you can enjoy before and after October 31st.
Ant Control Tips 👇
Burro's Tail Succulent
A burro's tail or donkey's tail succulent (Sedum morganianum) is perfect for a hanging basket or shelf with its long stems cascading over the edge. The bright light-loving houseplant is native to Mexico, and if you're lucky, your succulent may produce red or pink flowers in summer. It grows about three feet tall with leaves like grains of rice.
Moonstone Succulent
Add some pretty pastel shades to your space with moonstone succulents (Pachyphytum oviferum). The rounded leaves come in soft shades of pink, purple, gray, and blue with a silvery patina. This native of Mexico likes lots of sunlight and frequent watering. Your succulent may start out small (it's easy to spread too much from a single leaf), but it will slowly spread to a foot wide.
Zebra haworthia
The striking zebra Haworthia (Haworthia fasciata) displays spiky leaves and white markings, and its name reminds you of the African animal. Fortunately, this beauty is one of the easiest succulents you can grow as a houseplant. It likes bright, indirect light, and if waters for a while, it will usually bounce back once given some moisture. Zebra haworthia grows to only five inches tall, making it ideal for small spaces.
Other garden links 👇
Rose Succulent
If you enjoy bouquets of fresh-cut flowers but hate how quickly they fade, you'll love rose succulents (Greenovia dotrantalis). The plant begins to emerge as a rosebud. Native to the Canary Islands, it does best in full sun and doesn't need much water. It can grow about six inches tall.
Compton carousel succulent
Be sure to place your Echeveria 'Compton Carousel' near your office desk so you can marvel at its magnificent foliage. Sometimes called 'Lenore Dean', this succulent has green and white striped leaves and needs plenty of bright but indirect light. Make sure the soil is completely dry before giving the plant too much moisture. Due to its rarity, you will have to pay a good amount for this succulent, but its unusual appearance is worth it.
0 Comments