I love succulents. They’re so unique in the plant world; they require minimal care and they remind me of warm, sunny days. Unfortunately, I have had to sacrifice many houseplants in order to enjoy having cats in the house. But I can still share with you my all-time favorite succulents to grow inside.
Why Grow Succulents?
If you live in a climate that does not support succulents, an indoor container garden can really cheer up a chilly winter. This is one of the main reasons I love succulents and used to grow them as houseplants. I love the desert, but I don’t live there. Cactuses and other succulents remind me of my favorite climate.
For a houseplant that’s low-maintenance and nearly foolproof, it’s hard to beat a succulent. And, there are few other plant types with such interesting and diverse appearances. These cheerful plants, from big to small, will brighten up your household. They’re nature’s works of art, really.
My Top Succulents for Houseplants
There is such a great diversity of succulents. You can choose a range of types and play with different color, texture, size, and shape combinations. If you’re new to these plants, you may want to consider these options, which are easy to grow, are pretty, and adapt well to an indoor environment and containers:
- Aloe. This is a classic succulent that most people recognize. It is easy to grow, has medicinal properties, and is attractive with its long, fleshy and pointy leaves.
- Jade plant. This is another common succulent, which means it should be easy to find at your local garden center. It takes well to containers and comes in different varieties. You can get it in different shapes and sizes for a mix of looks.
- Echeveria. I love these pretty succulents that look like roses in muted shades of gray, pink, and green. Like jade, there are many varieties, and they’re easy to find. Keep in mind that the more colorful echeveria need more sunlight than those that are strictly green.
- Burro’s tail. If you have a hanging container, grow this succulent. It produces trailing branches of grape-like leaves. They look great spilling out of a basket.
- Lithops. These are some of the most unique succulents. Also known as living stones, they grow close to the soil surface and come in shades of dappled brown, gray, and green. They look like stones. Use lithops in a mixed container of succulents to achieve a really cool look.
- African milk tree. This slow-growing cactus does very well in a container and is easy to care for. Indoors it will grow up to four feet tall. Watch out for pets and kids, as this one has serious thorns.
