Who says tiny things can’t have big personalities? Check out these small succulents with big leaves to put on a mighty garden show.
If you love succulents but want something a little different, these small succulents with big leaves will surely amaze you! With their big, attractive, and colorful leaves, these succulents prove that size isn’t everything when it comes to making an impact.
Small Succulents With Big Leaves
1. Paddle Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
You may know this plant by several other names such as Flapjacks, Dog Tongue, or Desert Cabbage. It is a very popular succulent for its flat, rounded leaves. Additionally, this beauty grows a thin coating of white powder called ‘farina’ or epicuticular wax, to protect its leaves.
2. Mother of Thousands
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana
One with a signature growth pattern of holding many plantlets around the margin or the ridges of its scalloped leaves. Due to this reason, the Mother of Thousands can spread at an invasive rate, so consider keeping it contained in pots or removing the unwanted saplings.
Caution: Be cautious when growing Mother of Thousands, as it is toxic to both people and pets.
3. Bear’s Paw
Botanical Name: Cotyledon tomentosa
This unique succulent shrublet is native to Africa. It features thick green leaves with a fuzzy exterior and dark red spindly edges, which is why it is also called Bear’s Paw. Interestingly, there is a peculiar nature it shows- when stressed out or given regular sun exposure, the tips of the leaves turn into a darker shade of red.
4. The Bushman Poison Plant
Botanical Name: Adenium boehmianum
Among several varieties of Adeniums, the Bushman poison Plant is the one with the largest leaves! Additionally, the flowers have broad petals that overlap each other with a light pink shade and a dark center. Besides, it is a poisonous succulent endemic to the mostly dry regions of northern Namibia and southern Angola.
Moreover, some people boil the root sap and latex to prepare arrow poison, which is sufficient for hunting large mammals, as it contains strong cardiotoxic effects.
5. Silver Dollar Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula arborescens
The Silver Dollar Plant is a beautiful succulent of the Jade family. It has attractive rounded blue-gray leaves with maroon edges and small maroon speckles on the upper surface. Moreover, it is one attractive small shrub with multiple thick stems and clusters of star-shaped pink or white flowers in spring or summer.
Fun Fact: This plant is susceptible to mealy bugs and fungal diseases.
6. White Lady
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe orgyalis
This beauty here is characterized by its oblong, copper shaded leaves. In its native region, Madagascar, it typically grows alongside shrubs on dry, rocky soils. However, it also grows well as a houseplant, in mixed containers, and as part of drought-tolerant landscaping.
You must see the colorful leaves showing off copper to orange with silver to gray-green shaded undersides.
7. Ripple Jade
Botanical Name: Crassula arborescens subsp. undulatifolia
The most unique one, Crassula arborescens features thick rounded leaves that have earned it the common name of Ripple Jade. It is a variation of the traditional Jade plant and is one fantastic species for filling in space between other succulents in an arrangement, whether it is a simple tabletop or a centerpiece in your living room.
So, share with us which of these unique succulents caught your eye. Also, why not add one (or more!) to your collection and enjoy the charm of big, bold leaves in a compact size?
