Five Favorite Flowering Succulents
If you think of succulents but don’t think of flowers, we are here to change your mind. You can grow flowering succulents to add some color to your home, on your patio or in difficult to grow locations in your garden. The flowers on succulents come in a variety of colors. Many of them are bright and bold and look striking against their foliage. Different types of succulents can bloom at any time throughout the year, including the winter. If you haven’t given them a try, you might want to see how they would fit in your garden.
Here are our top 5 picks for flowering succulents:
Portulaca – This succulent is also known as Moss Rose or Purslane. It is native to South America and is a hardy annual that starts blooming in early summer. The pretty rose like flowers come in many colors including orange, pink, purple, red, rose, yellow, and white. The leaves are smooth and thick. Portulaca is easy to grow and thrives in full sun and does well in a variety of soils, just make sure it drains well. Like other succulents, this plant is heat tolerant and needs little moisture. Portulaca can be grown in containers and also looks great in a hanging pot. If you want a plant that requires little care, give Portulaca a try. This plant is good for hardiness zones 2 – 11. For more information, read our previous post on Portulaca.
Delosperma – Delosperma is also known as Ice Plant. This succulent is a perennial with bright, colorful daisy-like flowers. Delosperma makes a great ground cover for dry areas in your garden. This plant has nice-looking green needle-like foliage and beautiful purple-pink or yellow flowers. I have also seen breeders working on orange and bi-color flowering varieties of this plant as well. Delosperma blooms from summer to fall. Ice plant does not have this name because it is winter hardy but, because the flowers and leaves shimmer in the sun and look as if they are covered in frost or ice. As with most succulents, the plant thrives in full sun but can take some light shade and do well in dry soil. If they get too much water, it will kill the plant. Delosperma is another plant that can thrive on neglect. This plant can be planted in containers but also looks great in a rock garden. The hardiness zone for this plant is 5 – 9.
Aeonium – Aeonium is a succulent with long stems topped by rosette shaped leaves. The rosettes are similar to echeveria and semperviviums (hens and chicks). The flowers on aeonium bloom from the center of the rosette. The flowers are small, star-like shaped and bloom in clusters. Aeoniums are native to the Canary Islands and they bloom in winter or spring which gives a much-needed burst of color outdoors during this time of year. On a sad note, once the plant blooms, it will die, but if the plant has produced offshoots, they will live on. Unlike other succulent varieties, it does not like dry, hot weather and in the summer can go dormant. When they go dormant their leaves curl to conserve water. Aeoniums do not tolerate freezing temperatures so if you are in an area that has cold winters, grow them in pots and bring them inside. As previously mentioned they can be grown in pots but they also look great in a rock garden or in a mass planting. These plants are hardy for zones 9 – 11.
Kalanchoe – Kalanchoe is often grown as a houseplant and this succulent will brighten your home during the winter with their beautiful little flowers. It can be grown outdoors if you live in a tropical environment. You can find this plant with orange, pink, red, white or yellow blossoms. The flower clusters are eye-catching against its dark green foliage and the flowers will last for weeks. Indoors kalanchoe needs to be in a sunny environment, so put it in a bright window. Outdoors, the plant needs at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and they look fantastic on a sunny patio. Kalanchoe looks fantastic on sunny patios. When planting or moving kalanchoe keep in mind that its branches break easily. Just like your other houseplants, before watering, check the soil. If it is dry to the touch, water the plant. If the soil is moist, wait a few days and check the soil again. When in bloom, kalanchoes require more water and try to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Find more information on kalanchoe here.
Echeveria – Echeveria is another rosette shaped succulent. This plant is native to Mexico and their popularity has grown over the years. There are numerous varieties of this succulent. Most Echeveria has bluish green foliage, but you can find some that have a red or purple hue. This plant is easy to care for and drought tolerant. The plant flowers in an array of colors including coral-pink, yellow-tipped, or reddish-orange and the delicate flowers grow on a long arching stalk. One plant may have several blooms on it. Compared to other succulents, Echeveria grows quickly and they can make a great ground cover. Like most succulents, they love the sun so if you grow them indoors make sure you place them in a sunny window and in the summer they will need to be watered regularly. You can also do mass planting with them or grow them in containers. Similar to Aeonium, these plants need to be taken in during winters and they are hardy for zones 9-10.
If you give any of these plants a try, let us know how you make out.
Photos courtesy of Jill Mazur.
