Love plants but don’t have a lot of success keeping them alive? Travel a lot so you can’t maintain a regular watering schedule? Succulents are the perfect plants for your home!
Some of the easiest succulents for beginners include hens and chicks, aloe vera, and sempervivum. You can also try snake plants and sedum. For all these succulents, place them in a bright area but not in direct light, and allow the soil to dry completely before you water again.
Is a succulent a good beginner plant?
Succulents are amazing for beginner plant lovers. The beauty of succulents is that they will grow just about anywhere and take very little care.
With soil, you don’t have to worry about having premium ingredients. While you may want to start with succulent potting soil, you can pretty much use whatever you have on hand.
As for water, succulents can go a long time between watering. In fact, they do better if you forget to water them rather than if you water them too much.
How do I start growing succulents?
To start growing succulents, you really just need soil and a proper container. While it is best if you start with tropical potting soil, most succulents aren’t picky about the nutrients in that soil.
Proper drainage is key, however, as succulents don’t like to stay in moist soil. Find a container with good drainage holes that allow the soil to dry out between watering.
15 Best Succulents for Beginners
Hens and chicks
Perhaps the most well-known succulent that is perfect for beginners is hens and chicks. This plant has one larger center, known as the hen, that produces offshoots known as chicks.
This succulent will grow and divide quite quickly which will allow you to separate it if you want extra succulents or if you have a larger amount of ground you want to cover. It also blooms every year for a bit of pink color.
Haworthia Zebra
This gorgeous succulent has sharp points to it and unique white markings that lend themselves to the plant’s name. Juxtaposed against the vibrant green leaves, this is an eye-catching plant.
The Haworthia zebra is a popular succulent, so you’ll have no problems finding it at any local nursery. It is non-toxic, so it’s pet-friendly and will stay small if it is in a small container.
Sempervivum
There are many types of sempervivum so you can find one that you like best. This succulent has a beautiful design to it where the leaves grow symmetrically out from the center.
You can find varieties that are green, red, or blue-grey for a unique color dynamic. These succulents are easy to grow and can tolerate both hot and cold temperatures.
Sedum Donkey’s Tail
With a unique name, this succulent is perfect if you like a bit of whimsy to your plants. The pale green color of this succulent is framed by small leaves that grow on top of each other for a comical look.
The leaves are fleshy and pert, more so after the plant is watered. You can plant this succulent in a container or use it in a hanging basket but it does prefer hotter climates.
Jade plant
There’s a good chance at least one person you know has a jade plant growing in their home right now. This iconic plant is classified as a succulent shrub which means it will have a larger stem with multiple branches growing out of it.
Jade plants have fleshy leaves that are bright green in color. You can leave them be or if you have more time, you can also prune them if you have a specific shape in mind.
Aloe vera
Natural remedies are finally back in style and aloe vera serves a dual purpose in the home. Not only is it an easy succulent to grow but you can also snip off part of the leaves to use as a burn remedy on your skin.
Aloe vera plants have large, slightly spiky tendrils and as a bonus, they produce offsets that can easily be propagated. This houseplant is hard to kill as it prefers dryer soil and bright light that isn’t too hot.
Kalanchoe
Come March, you may be itching for a return to flowers and this is where the Kalanchoe plant really shines. Many gardening stores will sell this succulent in early spring as it is best known for its vivid colors when in bloom.
These blooms will last weeks if not months, so the plant is excellent if you want to brighten up your space. The plant can also go weeks without water, so it’s perfect if you travel a lot.
Agave
Agave syrup is now the rage as it’s a natural sweetener and a healthier alternative to sugar. It comes from the agave plant, which has a gorgeous, blue-grey color and spiky leaves.
You can grow agave plants in full sun or partial shade and they are very drought-tolerant. As long as the soil can drain well, it will survive.
Snake plant
If you’re looking for some height from your succulents, then a snake plant is an excellent way to go. This small but tall plant can grow to be 10 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Another reason to purchase a snake plant is that it is excellent at cleaning your air, which is perfect if you have family members that are allergic to airborne allergens. It does best in partial sun but will still grow even in dim lighting.
Gasteria
Also known as Cow Tongue or Ox Tongue, you may get the hint that the leaves look like a tongue. They are thick and bulky and have a light green speckling pattern to them for an intriguing look.
Gasteria doesn’t grow too large, which makes it an excellent option for coffee tables and other focal points. For optimal growth, place your Gasteria in indirect but bright light.
Adromischus
Another interesting succulent option, this plant has wide leaves that are a mottled light green and purple color. The leaves radiate from the center to make it a rather adorable sight.
Adromischus leaves have a hairy texture to them. This aids in collecting moisture, which means the plant can go weeks before needing to be watered.
Echeveria
This succulent has a beautiful rosette pattern to it, which is very pleasing to the eye. Varieties come in different colors, from pale pink to light green.
The plant doesn’t grow very high, so it makes for either ideal ground cover or a low display. Some of the rosettes, however, can grow to be up to two feet in width.
Lithops
Also known as a living stone, this plant does indeed look like stone. The plant is unique because much of it grows underground so you only see part of the plant when it pops through the surface.
It grows best in shallow containers and has a white, yellow, or light green coloring to it. This is a great option if you want to create an optical illusion and surround the succulent with real rocks.
Senecio
This succulent has long stems with small, thin leaves that grow out of it for a wilder look than other options. If you have a few succulents in a container together, plant your Senecio on the outside to allow the stems to grow outward.
With grey-blue leaves and light green stems, this is a colorful succulent. It prefers low light and like most succulents, does not need to be watered too often.
Portulaca
While this is considered a succulent, it usually only grows as an annual, which means it just lasts for one season. However, if you don’t want to pay any attention to your plants, the portulaca is the perfect plant.
Simply place it in full sun and in an area where its roots can run wild. You’ll be rewarded with brightly colored flowers that range from magenta pink to bright yellow.
What’s the easiest succulent to grow?
While succulents are almost always easy to grow, you can’t go wrong with hens and chicks. This is the perfect starter succulent as it needs little water and very few nutrients in its soil.
What’s more, hens and chicks propagate easily. You can start with just one hen and soon have a multitude of plants that you can spread around.
Which succulent is easiest to care for?
What makes succulents perfect for beginners is that they don’t need a lot of care. Their soil requirements are limited and they grow almost everywhere.
Kalanchoe takes this ease even further. You can go weeks without watering it and you will still be rewarded with a long period of vibrant blooms.
Conclusion
There are many amazing succulents that are perfect if you are new to gardening. While some succulents can withstand the cold, most prefer being inside during the winter, which makes them ideal as houseplants. Don’t water too much, don’t fuss too much over them, and when in doubt, simply leave them alone!
Related Articles: