Succulents are fascinating plants that can add texture and variety to any garden. Whether you have a large garden or a sunny window, these versatile plants are a great addition. Not only are they low-maintenance, but they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
African Milk Tree
The African Milk Tree, also known as the Good Luck Cactus, is a unique succulent that adds height to any garden. Its triangular stems are smooth with thorns and small, pear-shaped leaves. This plant is not tolerant of temperatures below 50°F and is toxic to humans and animals. However, the Royal Red cultivar offers a stunning display of rich red leaves in the fall.
Candelabra Spurge
Featuring marbled creamy yellow stems, the Candelabra Spurge is a fast-growing succulent. Its four-sided stem structures peppered with spines give it a candelabra-like appearance. This plant is better suited as a houseplant in colder climates and requires warm weather, lots of light, and low humidity.
Desert Rose
The Desert Rose is a perennial succulent with beautiful hot pink, red, or white flowers. It thrives in sunny conditions with minimal water. While it drops its flowers and leaves in the winter, it blooms easily and generously in the summertime.
Elephant Bush
Native to Africa, the Elephant Bush is a small-leaved, woody-stemmed succulent. It resembles a jade plant but has smaller leaves. This plant goes dormant in the winter and produces clusters of tiny pink flowers in the spring. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight.
Eve’s Needle
Eve’s Needle is a succulent with long, thin leaves interspersed with long sharp spines. It rarely blooms in captivity, but when it does, it produces cup-shaped red flowers. This plant requires light shade to full sun and is well-suited to hardiness zones 9-11.
Fox Tail Agave
The Fox Tail Agave features a rosette of pale green leaves with a silvery tint. Its imposing flower stalk hosts greenish-yellow flowers. While commonly associated with Mezcal and Tequila production, this particular variety is not typically used for consumption.
Jade Plant
The Jade Plant is a slow-growing succulent that can reach heights of up to 5 feet. It is associated with good fortune and wealth and is a popular houseplant. The woody stems and oval-shaped green leaves resemble miniature trees. This plant flowers indoors in the winter under the right conditions.
Joshua Tree
The Joshua Tree is a large treelike succulent with spikey clusters of leaves. It has thick, woody trunks and can grow up to 30-70 feet tall in the wild. This plant is slow-growing and goes dormant in the winter. It produces white flowers in the spring and is a well-known symbol of the Mojave Desert.
Madagascar Palm
Despite its name, the Madagascar Palm is not a palm tree but a succulent. It has a thick cylindrical trunk with long, thin leaves. This plant can reach up to 20 feet tall and produces pure white flowers during the summer. It goes dormant in the winter.
Mother of Millions
Also known as Devil’s Backbone, the Mother of Millions is a succulent with serrated green leaves speckled with deep purple. It produces tall stems and is very forgiving as a houseplant. It can send up tall inflorescences with clusters of coral-colored flowers.
Ocotillo
The Ocotillo is a unique cactus with long, thin, tall stems that grow leaves when watered. It produces bright red flowers in late spring and summer, attracting hummingbirds. This plant is adaptable to different soil conditions and can live up to 60 years.
Organ-Pipe Cactus
The Organ-Pipe Cactus is a large slow-growing cactus that blooms with large white flowers in May. It can reach heights of up to 23 feet and has a lifespan of up to 150 years. Mostly pollinated by long-nosed bats, this cactus is a symbol of the Sonoran Desert.
Queen of the Night
The Queen of the Night cactus is a unique plant that blooms only once per year, over just one night. Its large white flowers are fragrant and highly anticipated. This succulent prefers bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered consistently.
Saguaro
The Saguaro is a tall and stately cactus that can reach heights of up to 40 feet. It has a distinct Western vibe and is a slow-growing plant. It produces large white flowers in the late spring and can live up to 150 years.
Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, is a popular houseplant with fleshy sword-shaped leaves. It is adaptable to various light conditions and has low water requirements. While it rarely blooms indoors, when it does, it produces delicate white blossoms.
Spineless Yucca
As its name suggests, the Spineless Yucca is a versatile succulent tree without spines. It has long, pointed, dark green leaves and grows well both indoors and out. When planted in the ground, it can reach heights of up to 30 feet and produces flower stalks with clusters of white blooms.
Sticks on Fire
Sticks on Fire is a vibrant succulent with numerous slender coral-colored branches. It adds a bright and cheerful touch to any garden. This plant is resilient and resistant to pests and diseases. It produces small yellow flowers and should be kept away from children and pets due to its toxicity.
With these tall succulent plants, you can create a unique and eye-catching garden. From the African Milk Tree to the Sticks on Fire, there’s a succulent for every garden space. These low-maintenance plants will add beauty and variety to your outdoor or indoor space.