20 Types of Succulents for the Easiest Indoor Garden Ever
Succulents may be ubiquitous in home decor and on office desks everywhere, but there's a good reason for it: They’re low-maintenance, low-cost plants that bring a dash of serene style to wherever they're placed. Their variety of shapes, colors, and textures make succulents perfect for those who love greenery but don’t have time for finicky plants (looking at you, fiddle-leaf fig). They're versatile and hardy enough to use in terrariums and indoor/outdoor planters, and in general, most types of succulents are easy to propagate.
Lest you think that all types of succulents are exactly the same, they do have some variations in their care needs, but there are many commonalities, says Martha Mendoza, owner of A Succulent Day in Boise, Idaho. “Most prefer well-draining soil, so choose a cactus mix that has pumice and sand,” she says. Most succulents also need bright, direct sunlight. “This is the hardest part of growing succulents indoors—finding the right places in your space for your succulents to receive four-to-six hours of direct sunshine.” Some varieties tolerate being in bright filtered light, so make sure to familiarize yourself with your plant’s needs. When it comes to watering, the golden rule is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. “During their growing season (spring and summer), you can water a bit more often, but in fall and winter, scale back significantly,” says Mendoza.
Here are the general rules of thumb to follow when caring for different types of succulents:
Lighting: Most succulents prefer bright, indirect light, but some tolerate low light. Make sure to rotate pots regularly for even growth.
Watering: Overwatering is the most common mistake. Always check the soil's moisture before watering.
Soil: Always use well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Temperature: Keep your succulents in a stable environment with temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
To explore the many different varieties out there, here are 20 types of succulents that are beginner-friendly, widely available, and above all, stunning choices for your indoor garden.
More inspiration for green thumbs:
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Mendoza cites the jade plant as one of her personal favorite types of succulents. “It's timeless and brings a sense of calm to a room,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates direct sunlight.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix.
Water Requirements: Water when the soil is dry; avoid overwatering.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
If you have a south-facing window or a room that receives a lot of bright, natural light, consider growing aloe vera. Otherwise, Mendoza notes that this popular plant can be tricky to maintain. “They need a lot of sunlight to stay happy,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Light Requirements: Bright, natural light.
Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Let soil dry out completely before watering.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
If you’re new to plant parenthood, the panda plant is a great option. “These are resilient plants with simple care routines. As long as you provide decent bright light and avoid overwatering, they’ll thrive,” says Mendoza.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light, or filtered sunlight.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining succulent mix.
Water Requirements: Water sparingly; soil should be dry before the next watering.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Like aloe vera, the string of pearls plant is a type of succulent that can be a bit tricky to grow indoors unless you have a bright, south-facing window. They need a solid four-plus hours of sunlight per day, all year round.
Hardiness Zone: 9-12
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light or morning sunlight.
Soil Requirements: Fast-draining cactus mix.
Water Requirements: Water when soil is dry, avoiding water sitting in the pot.
Echeveria (Echeveria spp.)
Mendoza loves to include echeverias in succulent bowl arrangements. “Echeverias are classic beauties with their symmetrical rosettes and variety of colors; they add so much charm to any space that gets direct bright light,” she says.
Hardiness Zone: 9-12
Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.
Soil Requirements: Porous, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water deeply but infrequently.
Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis attenuata)
Along with jade plants and panda plants, the zebra haworthia is one of Mendoza’s favorite types of succulents for beginners. It can go weeks without watering and can tolerate medium or low light conditions.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Yes, snake plants are technically a type of succulent! Another easy-care variety, snake plants don’t require frequent watering and can tolerate a variety of light conditions.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Tolerates low to bright light.
Soil Requirements: Free-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water sparingly; only when soil is completely dry.
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
A burro's tail is a delicately beautiful trailing plant that is especially striking when grown in a hanging pot. As fragile as it is lovely, this plant is easily damaged and should be placed where it won’t be bumped or jostled.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Light, sandy, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water when soil is dry.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
This striking plant with a biblical-inspired name is a great choice for indoor gardeners. It produces colorful blooms and bright green leaves throughout most of the year. This plant needs three to four hours of direct sunlight per day, so it’s happiest when placed in a south-facing window. A slow grower, the crown of thorns can grow up to two feet as a houseplant.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, direct sunlight.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining cactus mix.
Water Requirements: Water deeply but let soil dry out between watering.
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
Hens and chicks plants are better for experienced plant parents, notes Mendoza, and they generally do better when grown outdoors. They can lose some of their coloring if they don’t receive sufficient light, so it may be necessary to supplement with artificial lighting if you don’t have a window that receives several hours of bright light daily, all year round.
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light, or full sun.
Soil Requirements: Gravelly, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Minimal water; let soil dry completely.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Like hens and chicks, the string of hearts might require the use of grow lights in order to thrive indoors. This plant’s delicate leaves need a solid four to six hours of bright, indirect light each day. A south- or west-facing window is a great spot for this sun-loving type of succulent.
Hardiness Zone: 10-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining, light soil mix.
Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry out between watering.
Lithops (Lithops spp.)
“Lithops, or ‘living stones,’ can be tricky indoors because they’re so sensitive to overwatering and need very specific light levels,” says Mendoza. She considers lithops to be a better choice for more experienced gardeners.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.
Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Very little water; mimic desert conditions.
Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Flaming Katy makes a popular beginner houseplant because of its colorful flowers and easy care requirements. It should be placed in an east- or west-facing window with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can burn the plant’s leaves.
Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light or morning sun.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Allow topsoil to dry before watering.
Ice Plant (Delosperma echinatum)
The leaves of the ice plant produce tiny calcium crystals that sparkle in the sun, giving the plant its name. Though this type of succulent does well indoors or out, the plant will typically only flower outdoors, or if it receives a lot of bright sunlight indoors, such as from a south-facing window.
Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Light Requirements: Full sun to bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining, sandy soil.
Water Requirements: Water when soil is completely dry.
Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe juvenna)
Perfect for indoor growing, the tiger tooth aloe needs minimal attention. It can tolerate partial sunlight, though it grows faster in bright, indirect light.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Light, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water sparingly when soil is dry.
Propeller Plant (Crassula perfoliata var. falcata)
Another low-maintenance type of succulent that’s easy to care for, the propeller plant has curved leaves that resemble airplane propellers.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Porous, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water deeply and let soil dry.
Dolphin Plant (Senecio peregrinus)
This vining succulent is beloved for its folded leaves that look like tiny, leaping dolphins. Often grown in hanging pots, the dolphin plant is considered low-maintenance and thrives in sunny, south-facing windows.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Water when the topsoil feels dry.
Moonstone Plant (Pachyphytum oviferum)
Moonstone succulents thrive in both direct and indirect sunlight. If you keep your plant in a very sunny spot, it should be turned every few days to keep it healthy.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Light Requirements: Bright, direct, or indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Cactus or succulent mix.
Water Requirements: Allow soil to dry completely before watering.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.)
A stunning houseplant that brightens your space through the winter and beyond, the Christmas cactus is an easy-care type of succulent that features colorful flowers that bloom year after year.
Hardiness Zone: 10-12
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Well-draining potting mix with added sand.
Water Requirements: Water when the topsoil feels dry.
Related Story: Why the Thanksgiving Cactus Is the 'It Girl' of Low-Maintenance Houseplants
Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)
Adorable plants that can tolerate long stretches of time without attention, baby toes succulents just need bright, indirect light to thrive.
Hardiness Zone: 10-11
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Requirements: Sandy, well-draining soil.
Water Requirements: Minimal water; allow soil to dry completely.
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