10 Best Succulents for Beginners

1)  Agave, American Aloe or Century plants consist of many varieties that are grown as houseplants for a really bright window.

If you have a south facing aspect for the winter, and a warm patio or deck, these will grow very well.

Smaller species and varieties suitable for growing indoors are Agave parviflora, and Agave victoriae-reginae, which only reach the size of a softball.

2)  Aloe, the smaller species and varieties such as Aloe andongensis, A. juvenna, A. variegata, A. tenuoir and others are perfect little specimens to grow in a group, with their spiky foliage and occasional pink to orange blooms adding interest to your display.

The textures of the foliage, the spots, speckles, stripes and dots are all different - there is no end to the variations.

3) Andromischus cristata, the Baby Toes plant looks exactly like little plump feet.  It's hard to resist tickling them. 

Really easy going and low maintenance, this interesting little plant is a conversation starter. 

Although not fussy over light levels, the brighter the light, the better the growth of the crimped pie crust edged leaves.

4) Crassula, that ubiquitous Jade Plant. There's a reason why it's so widely grown, and that's because it's virtually impossible to kill.

They can make fabulous mixed group plants, or can be grown as a spectacular single specimen. You can even make them into Bonsai, for a really different look.

Eventually, these plants can bloom in winter with pink or white clusters of blooms.  The trigger for blooming is when they are rootbound, and on restricted water for a while in the fall.

5) Echeveria species and hybrids that I recommend for beginning succulent growers are Echeveria glauca and Echeveria elegans, both lovely blue types that are slow growing and easily cared for.

Learning how to grow Echeveria with these resilient plants will boost your confidence.

6)  Faucaria F. tigrina, F. felina – Tigers Jaws and Cats Jaws, two closely related easily grown plants that appeal to everyone with their leaves arranged like wide open, toothy grins.

Easy to care for, these will keep on grinning even through the learning curve while you practice your skills on them.

7) Haworthia - often mistaken for Aloe, which they resemble, these little spiky plants are much more forgiving of the two beginner growers sins; lower light levels, and over watering.

They prefer to have filtered light, although still bright, and with their fleshy root systems, can withstand a more moist soil.

8) Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - you’ve seen this plant, even if you didn’t know what it was.

Groceries and corner stores carry these in their florists department, due to an amazingly long bloom period.

They are hybridized to flower in almost every colour in the red, pink and orange scale, over a period of sometimes months.

9) Sanseveria Although this species of common house plant known as Mother In Law's Tongue, Bowstring Hemp or Snake Plant went through a period of popularity in the 1960's due to its modernistic look it went out of favor with indoor gardeners due to its boring green upright leaves. 

That's all changed...

10) Sedum of all kinds are fascinating and beautiful plants; for indoors, look for some of the tender types like Sedum morganianum, the Burros Tail Sedum and S. nussbaunianum 'Coppertone' for a unique and different plant with a tan. 

Easy to grow, and hard to kill, these plants trail over the edge of larger containers with other plants, or you can use them in many crafts as well.