Say goodbye to boring gardens with this list of the best perennial succulents that live for years and demand very less maintenance!
Succulents are grown because of their beauty and adaptability. They appeal because of their low maintenance and long lifespan. Their drought-resistant nature also makes them perfect for new gardeners. Check out our exclusive list of the 16 best perennial succulents that can live for years, or even decades.
Are Succulents Perennials?
Yes! Many succulents are perennials, which means they keep coming back year after year and can live for more than 2 years. They’re the gift that keeps on giving, with very little effort on your part. Most of them live happily indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate, and can thrive with just the basics—sunlight, water (but not too much!), and a bit of love.
Best Perennial Succulents
1. Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
Jade plants are an excellent choice for indoor gardening because of their low maintenance. This succulent has thick leaves and woody stems. It produces small white and pink flowers with a sweet fragrance. Jade plants can live up to 100 years in the right conditions and require minimal care.
Remember that this plant loves sunlight. Therefore, it is recommended to grow them outdoors for maximum growth.
2. Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Aloe Vera is a very popular houseplant that needs little care after establishment. Its thick green leaves produce a gel-like substance that has many medicinal uses. Aloe vera thrives in arid climates and can live up to 25 years with proper care.
For best results, provide it with at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight. Also, water intermittently, whenever the top layer of the soil feels dry.
Caution: Aloe Vera is toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach if you have cats or dogs at home.
3. Echeveria
Echeveria is a succulent from the Crassulaceae family. It is mainly found in Central America, Mexico, and South America. This plant has thick and fleshy leaves which form a compact rosette. Flowers come in shades of gray, green, blue, and red, and usually bloom in late summer. Echeveria can live for 3-10 years, depending on care.
Overwatering can adversely affect its growth. Plant it in 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part coarse sand, to maintain proper airflow and drainage.
4. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
This unique cactus likes humid conditions, unlike its desert counterparts. It naturally grows in trees or rocks in shaded environments. Christmas Cactus blooms in winter and produces red, pink, purple, and yellow flowers. This plant thrives in a potting mix specially designed for succulents. It can live up to 20-30 years if properly cared for.
You can encourage its flowering by placing it in an alternating 12-hour light and darkness cycle. However, protect it from direct sunlight though, as it can cause burns among leaves.
5. Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata
The snake plant is a hardy perennial local to tropical West Africa. This evergreen shrub has stiff upright leaves and can grow up to 90 centimeters long. It is also prized because of its air-purifying properties, as it removes indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene.
Snake plants can live for 5-10 years on average, but some live up to 25 years with proper care. Remember to water it less and around once in 10-15 days as overwatering can cause root rot issues.
Caution: Snake plants are mildly toxic to pets and humans when ingested, causing nausea or vomiting.
6. Agave
Botanical Name: Agave Americana L
Agave Americana can live up to 25 years and only flower once. This usually happens at the end of its life cycle when it produces bright yellow flowers. Its leaves, stalks, and sap are also useful in traditional medicine, food, and fiber production.
This succulent needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to perform optimally. Careful monitoring is also required to manage infestations from mealybugs and mites.
7. Red Pagoda
Botanical Name: Crassula capitella
The red pagoda has fleshy leaves that change from lime-green to red upon maturity. This succulent produces white and pink flower clusters over tall, slender stalks. It attracts butterflies and bees and can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings.
This plant can live for around 10-15 years, just needs direct sunlight for up to 8 hours with little watering. However, it cannot tolerate cold weather and must be protected, especially in winter.
8. Radiator Plant
Botanical Name: Peperomia
Peperomia grows to about 1 foot and is considered ideal for indoor environments. Its thick green leaves can withstand drought and require minimum care after establishment. This hardy plant can also adapt to humid and warm conditions, which further increases its popularity.
Radiator plants perform best in temperatures between 65 and 80°F, and high humidity. Place water-filled trays around the plant to maintain humidity levels. Plus, they can thrive in fluorescent light, so that’s good for low-light areas.
9. Desert Rose
Botanical Name: Adenium obesum
Adenium obesum, or the desert rose, belongs to the dogbane family. It is native to Sahel regions of the Sahara and tropical and subtropical areas of the African and Arabian peninsulas. Desert Rose is a favored choice because of its thick foliage, delicate leaves, and striking flowers.
With the right care, it can live for over 100 years. Provide a cool, dry period between autumn and spring, and your plant will thank you. Also, regular pruning with clean scissors is important for managing its growth.
10. Panda Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe tomentosa
This succulent has silvery-green leaves with chocolate-brown edges. Its foliage is covered in dense trichomes, which help retain water. This makes it suitable for dry weather as well. It is a great plant to grow, especially if you are a beginner, as it requires minimal care.
Tip: Propagating Panda plants is easy—simply use leaf cuttings in the spring for new growth.
11. Tree Houseleek
Botanical Name: Aeonium
Tree houseleek belongs to the Crassulaceae family. It is local to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Madeira, and northern Africa, This succulent has thick and waxy leaves in green and purple shades. Houseleeks flower between March and July and produce yellow and green-white flowers.
Although most aeoniums are monocarpic, they can live for 3-10 years, with some species lasting longer with the right care. They thrive in 6 hours of direct sunlight or more. If you decide to bring it outdoors for summer, do it gradually. This will allow the plant to get used to the increased exposure without sunburn.
12. Zebra Haworthia
Botanical Name: Haworthia attenuata
This ornamental houseplant is native to the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Its thick, triangular leaves form a rosette pattern, resembling zebra stripes. It also flowers between summer and late fall, but people usually grow it for its beautiful leaves.
Zebra Haworthia can live for 50-100 years in perfect conditions. Plus, they can live so long without watering.
13. Ghost Plant
Botanical Name: Graptopetalum paraguayense
Ghost plants have deltoid-shaped, thick leaves that are around 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. This succulent prefers temperatures between 65 and 80 °F. The Ghost plant flowers during early spring and produces white flowers with reddish hues.
This plant has a unique layer, or farina, along its foliage. This coat protects from sunburn, while also maintaining its moisture levels. You can also preserve its health by regularly dusting it with a soft cloth.
14. Widow’s thrill
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
The Flaming Katy can grow as tall as 1.5 feet in about 2 years. It is a perennial succulent that likes well-drained soil and full to partial shade. This plant blossoms during late autumn and produces four-petaled flowers. Widow’s thrill also attracts pollinators naturally and is usually grown for its ornamental features.
It thrives in low humidity and intermittent deep watering in the growing season. You should also provide balanced fertilizer, diluted to half its strength, at least once a month.
15. Moon Cactus
Botanical Name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
Moon Cactus is a hybrid produced by grafting two cacti together. This succulent is usually found in the South American regions of Paraguay and Argentina. It doesn’t have traditional leaves, as it is primarily a cactus. This perennial blooms in late spring, and produces red, pink, or yellow flowers.
Plant it in a mixture of potting soil and horticultural sand. It requires minimal watering and blossoms perfectly with proper drainage.
Note: Since it relies on its rootstock for nourishment, Moon Cactus may need to be re-grafted onto a new base after a few years.
16. Stonecrop
Botanical Name: Sedum
This perennial succulent plant has colorful leaves in shades of green and purple. Sedum flowers from early summer to fall and produce star-shaped blooms. It thrives well in moderate temperatures and is also drought-resistant after establishment. Sedums can live for over 10 years and are extremely easy to care for.
Water your stonecrop only when the top 2 inches of the soil’s layer feel dry. You can also cut parts of its stems during the spring to encourage better growth.
Apart from these perennial succulents, many other succulent species are vying for our attention. So, if you think we have missed any important plants, feel free to add them in our comment section. We would love to hear from you.
