Thanks to their hardy nature and their clever ability to store water in their roots, leaves, and stems, succulents are basically the ultimate low-maintenance roommates. We’ve all been there—you’re halfway out the door for a weekend getaway when you realize you forgot to water the windowsill garden. Luckily, succulents are way more forgiving than your average houseplant!
Evergreen Succulents: The Ultimate Survival Artists
Evergreen succulents are living proof that you don’t need bright flowers to make a statement. The fascinating textures and perfectly symmetrical rosettes of these varieties are just as stunning as any bloom. Plus, because they stay relatively compact, they’re a perfect fit for your average windowsill:
- Spurge (botanical name ‘Euphorbia’): Check out the round “Baseball Plant” (Euphorbia obesa). It starts out globular and eventually grows into a cool pillar shape, reaching about 6 inches in height.
- Echeveria: These beauties feature colorful, rose-shaped leaf clusters and can grow up to 10 inches tall.
- Jade Plant (botanical name ‘Crassula ovata’): A total classic with fleshy, teardrop leaves. While they can eventually reach up to 3 feet, they are slow growers and very easy to shape.
Of course, no evergreen collection is complete without Aloe and Agave. There are so many subspecies to choose from, making them fantastic exotic accents when grown in pots to brighten up any room in your home.
Flowering Succulents: A Selection of Blooming Beauties
I’ll be honest: sometimes you have to be patient with succulents. It can take a few years (sometimes up to five!) for them to hit their first blooming phase. But trust me, once they do, these varieties make the wait totally worth it with their incredible floral displays:
- Flaming Katy (botanical name ‘Kalanchoe blossfeldiana’): This is a winter-blooming powerhouse that stays between 6 to 12 inches tall and gets covered in tiny, vibrant flowers.
- Poinsettia (botanical name ‘Euphorbia pulcherrima’): A holiday staple! This winter bloomer can reach about 20 inches and adds that iconic pop of red to your decor.
- Crown of Thorns (botanical name ‘Euphorbia milii’): A colorful autumn bloomer with a unique, thorny succulent stem. It usually grows between 4 and 20 inches tall.
- Queen of the Night (botanical name ‘Selenicereus grandiflorus’): This one is a showstopper. It’s a climbing cactus that produces massive, glowing white flowers that only open at night. It can grow quite large, reaching up to 10 feet!
No matter which variety you choose, just remember the golden rule of succulent care: only water them when the soil is completely bone-dry. Overwatering is the fastest way to deal with root rot or pests, so when in doubt, leave the watering can in the closet!
