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Flowering succulents can offer a unique and eye-catching appearance to your indoor garden. Many of them can bloom during their life indoors, depending on sun exposure and the care offered by their owners.
Allowing indoor gardeners to stagger bloom times, different varieties often flower in different seasons. This provides indoor gardeners with the ability to have consistently blooming succulents if they own multiple plants! Most succulents are perennials, though there are some that are treated as annuals and biennials. Usually, succulents must live in hot, sunny environments year-round.
Due to their hardy nature and similar to other popular houseplants, most flowering succulents originate from hardiness zones 9-12. However, indoor succulents can thrive every season if you meet their basic needs! So without further ado, here are 27 of our favorite flowering succulents for indoor gardens.
Aeonium
Scientific Name: Aeonium spp.
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 2-60 inches, depending on the variety
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Aeonium is a genus that includes over 35 succulent plant species with distinctive waxy and glossy rosettes. Their pretty rosettes may be a solid color or variegated in green, red, white, and yellow. They produce clusters of small star-like flowers that emerge from the rosette centers.
These are relatively slow-growing plants and may take up to five years before they produce the little bunches of flowers. Most Aeoniums are monocarpic, which means the mother plant will die once she flowers. Luckily, the mother plant will produce plenty of shoots that will live on once she blooms and dies.
Baby Toes
Scientific Name: Fenestraria rhopalophylla
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 3 inches tall
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
These desert-native perennials are hardy in USDA zones 10-11 and require hot, dry climates. As their common name suggests, this clump-forming succulent looks like a collection of adorable baby toes.
Baby toes bloom in late summer to fall with daisy-like flowers in various shades, including white, purple, and yellow. This species is exceptionally drought-tolerant, and frequent watering is more harmful than good. Soaking and drying is the best method.
Allow Fenestraria rhopalophylla to dry out between waterings, then give it a good bath every 1-2 weeks. You’ll only need to water them every 2-4 weeks during summer when they’re dormant.
Baby’s Necklace
Scientific Name: Crassula Rupestris
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to 3 feet tall
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Partial sun to full sun
Also called Rosary Vine or Buttons on a String, Baby’s Necklace is a perennial evergreen from the crassula genus that many gardeners use as ornaments. These drought-tolerant plants can grow in hardiness zones above ten or indoors as houseplants and can’t tolerate frost.
Baby’s Necklace features thin stems with tiny, thick oval-shaped leaves. The foliage is green, though sometimes it will have red triangle-shaped edges. Their leaves grow in groups of four to form a rosette neck shape. As the rosettes grow, they create a necklace-like appearance.
This succulent has pink or white star-shaped flowers that form clusters on the top of the plant. Like most succulents, they don’t need frequent watering and will require more water during the hotter months.
Baseball Plant
Scientific Name: Euphorbia obesa
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 7-8 inches tall and up to 4 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Bright, direct light (can tolerate some shade)
Baseball Plants love warm temperatures, though they can handle a bit of cool air; most household temperatures are perfectly fine. However, avoid placing this succulent in spaces that get cold drafts. Otherwise, it may inhibit their growth.
Since its discovery in the late 1800s, Euphorbia obesa has grown in popularity for its low-maintenance nature and distinctive look. They’re endangered in their native habitat, though you can find them in most nurseries in garden centers.
National and international legislation prohibits harvesting wild Euphorbia obesa to protect the remaining native populations. These unique succulents have a bulbous shape with v-like marks. To further keep up with their baseball appearance, they have seam-like ridges that look like stitching.
Euphorbia obesa have either female or male yellow flowers that have a similar appearance.
Crinkle Leaf Plant
Scientific Name: Adromischus cristatus
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Around 6 inches tall and 3 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Crinkle Leaf Plants have a lettuce-like look with fleshy gray-green leaves that grow upward out of a central base. Aptly named, the top of the leaves are “crinkled” and also have tiny hairs, giving them a fuzzy look.
Like other succulents, they are slow-growing, drought-tolerant, and have low-maintenance needs. Adromischus cristatus produces tubular reddish-white flowers on a tall stem in the spring.
Flapjack Succulent
Scientific Name: Kalanchoe luciae
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to two feet
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Flapjack Succulents, also referred to as Paddle Plants, have a paddle-like leaf shape that grows in clusters of rosettes. This striking species thrives on neglect. However, it needs plenty of warm temperatures and should be in warm areas of your home.
The common name, Flapjack, shares the same term with a lesser-known species, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora. Both have paddle-shaped leaves and have similar needs. The best way to differentiate the two is by looking at their flowers.
Kalanchoe luciae produces white flowers with a yellow tinge in their second year, whereas Kalanchoe thyrsiflora has a darker shade of yellow.
Francesco Baldi
Scientific name: ×Graptosedum ‘Francesco Baldi’
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to 6 feet tall, usually shorter indoors
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
If you want a large plant for your indoor garden, look no further than Francesco Baldi. This species can reach up to a whopping six feet tall and five feet wide. They have pretty yellow flowers that are oval-shaped with a pointed top. Each bloom has four petals that grow with the spoon-shaped leaves.
Although the flowers are an exciting aspect of ×Graptosedum ‘Francesco Baldi,’ the leaves are the show’s real stars. Francesco Baldi features elliptic-shaped green leaves with reddish-purple edges. They have a pointed tip and are concave towards the back.
Although they are usually green, the leaves can change colors when stressed. This succulent needs plenty of light, so consider investing in artificial lighting if your home doesn’t receive enough sun.
Ghost Plant
Scientific Name: Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6-12 inches tall and 2-3 feet wide (depending on variety)
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Ghost Plants are nothing to fear, though their leaves have a powder-like coating, called pruinose, giving a ghastly appearance. They features white-gray pointed leaves that form trailing rosettes.
In addition to its beautiful blooms, the ghost plant is a succulent that can take on shades of pink, which is one of the more sought after succulent colors. Each rosette is about four inches wide and may change hues depending on the sun they receive.
Indoor Ghost Plants can bloom sporadically, featuring yellow star-shaped flowers. This is a slow-growing species, only gaining a couple of inches each year. However, with adequate conditions, they can live for decades. They require good drainage and abundant sunlight to thrive and produce new offshoots for you to propagate.
Haworthia
Scientific Name: Haworthia spp.
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Hardiness Zone: 9-11 (USDA)
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Hawthoria is a part of a vast family of tiny succulent plants, most of which come from South Africa. Multiple species may have common names, such as Cathedral Window Haworthia (Haworthia cymbiformis).
Most types of Haworthia plants within the genus are low-growing perennials that form fleshy green rosettes. They feature pearly-white bands, giving them a distinctive look. They’re easy to care for, though they grow pretty slowly. Although Hawthoria prefers full sun, they can tolerate partially sunny conditions.
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Hens and Chicks
Scientific Name: Sempervivum tectorum
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 3-6 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Hens and Chicks are low-growing perennial succulents with a rubbery-rose look with thick, fleshy pads that form rosettes. Their leaves come to a point, and some have purple or reddish tips.
The mother hen rosette produces small rosette offsets referred to as “chicks.” They feature a thick flower stalk with pink or red star-shaped flowers at the top. Most varieties of Hens and Chicks are more known for their foliage, though they flower in the summer.
These low-maintenance plants thrive on neglect. So while you won’t need to prune them, you should remove the old hens once they flower. It’s also worth noting that Hens and Chicks are a succulent that can tolerate low light conditions, although this may impact their blooms.
Hindu Rope
Scientific Name: Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle Kurls’, Hoya carnosa ‘Compacta’
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: About 15 inches in length
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Indirect sun, at least 6 hours daily
The Hindu Rope is a common name for the Hoya carnosa, a popular variety of hoya plant. The Hindu Rope is a perennial vine-like species famous for its leafy, waxy foliage, distinctive curling vines, and stunning flowers.
This succulent is a popular houseplant in North America and is known for being a low-maintenance and long-living plant. They produce pretty pinkish-white, tiny star-shaped flowers that have a pleasant fragrance. The blooms typically last a few weeks; healthy Hindu Ropes will flower regularly.
Hoya Hearts
Scientific Name: Hoya kerrii
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to 13 feet long
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Hoya plants come in various sizes, colors, and shapes, but Hoya kerri is a unique variety. They feature thick, heart-shaped leaves, hence their common names such as Hoya Hearts, Sweetheart Vine, and Valentine’s Hoya.
Because of their attractive heart-like foliage, they are popular Valentine’s Day gifts. Not only are they pretty additions to indoor gardens, but they are easy to grow.
Like most succulents, they don’t need a lot of water and require well-draining soil. These are slow-growing perennials, so don’t be alarmed if it seems like you haven’t seen a new leaf in a while.
Ice Plants
Scientific Name: Delosperma cooperi
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 3-6 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide (depending on the variety)
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Ice plants are warm-weather perennials that feature vibrant blooms. They get their common name, “Ice Plant,” from the tiny hairs on the foliate that look like ice crystals in the light.
Delosperma cooperi has fleshy leaves that may transition into a darker shade during cooler months. To get more flowers, make sure that your Ice Plant receives plenty of sun (at least six hours of direct light.)
Jade Plant
Scientific Name: Crassula ovata
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 3-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
The jade plant is a favored succulent houseplant with fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and broad, woody stalks that look like tiny tree trunks. Native to South Africa, Feng Shui philosophies suggest that jade plants bring good luck and activate financial energy, making them excellent housewarming gifts.
If you have pets, select a spot for your Jade Plant carefully, as all plant parts are toxic to them. These succulents are low-maintenance, but they can suffer if they receive too much water.
Jade plants are slow-bloomers, even in the wild, so don’t be disappointed if it takes a couple of years. Mature plants will produce tiny clusters of pink or white star-shaped flowers. Jade plants are easy to propagate, and are one of the most common houseplants you’ll find.
Jelly Bean Plant
Scientific Name: Sedum rubrotinctum
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 to 12 inches tall
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
Jelly Bean Plants, also known as “Banana Cactus” or “Pork and Beans,” are evergreen, low-growing perennials. These stunning succulents make attractive additions to arrangements or as ornamental houseplants. They feature small, plump leaves that change to reddish-bronze in hot and sunny weather.
Jelly bean succulents are easy to care for and do not require much attention to thrive, making them great beginner plants.
Kalanchoe
Scientific Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6-18 inches tall and wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
As Madagascar natives and relatives of the Jade Plant, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a perennial succulent that features scallop-shaped leaves. These plants are famous for their ease of care and repeated blooms. They produce clusters of flowers that sit atop their unique foliage.
It has an incredibly lengthy blooming period compared to other succulent species. However, these are slow-growing plants that can take up to five years to reach maturity. You can find them in yellow, red, pink, and white shades in nurseries and plant shops, especially during the holidays.
If you have curious pets at home, be careful where you keep this species; all plant parts are toxic to cats and dogs.
Lilac Spoons
Scientific Name: x Graptoveria ‘Topsy Debbi’
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
Lilac Spoons, also referred to as Topsy Debbi, is a unique hybrid of Echeveria runyonii’ Topsy Turvy’ and x Graptoveria’ Debbi’ in the Crassulaceae family. This succulent features broad, spoon-shaped leaves that grow in lilac-colored rosettes that may become more vibrant in cool temperatures.
Typically, this plant will flower in the spring, producing tiny flowers that climb above the rosettes on thin stems. Lilac Spoons enjoys plenty of sunshine like many other succulents, and too little sun can result in a leggy appearance.
However, avoid harsh, direct sun as it can cause sunburn to the foliage. Faded colors can indicate that your plant isn’t getting enough sunlight. If you worry about giving Topsy Debbi enough sun, artificial light can help.
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Living Stone
Scientific Name: Lithops spp.
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 0.5-2 inches tall and wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
Living Stones also referred to as Pebble Plants, are unusual plants with a rock and pebble-like appearance. They grow low on the ground and have prolonged growth. Plants within the Lithops genus usually feature thick leaves, usually stemless, that sit right atop the soil.
New sets of leaves appear in the spring as the older leaves dry up and fall off. In addition to this species’s unique foliage, it also produces daisy-like flowers that may be white, orange, or yellow.
Mexican Peaco*ck Echeveria
Scientific Name: Echeveria peaco*ckii
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Native to Mexico, Mexican Peaco*ck Echeveria is a low-maintenance perennial that looks great in arrangements or on its own. They feature pale spoon-shaped, bluish-gray leaves with red tips. Like roses, they grow in rosettes and have a flower-like appearance even before the blooms. This succulent blooms with orange flowers at the tips of the foliage.
Like most succulents, these plants thrive on neglect. You’ll only need to water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Atom the rosettes, pretty pink flowers will emerge in the spring or early summer as long as they live in a sunny area. These dainty, bell-shaped flowers typically last for 2-3 weeks.
Mexican Snowball
Scientific Name: Echeveria elegans
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
Mexican Snowballs are one of the most common varieties of the Echeveria genus. Also referred to as Mexican Gem Succulents or White Mexican Rose, these succulents feature fleshy bluish-green or silvery-green foliage that forms rosettes.
These low-maintenance and attractive plants even gained the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. With plenty of sunlight, Mexican Snowball succulents produce pinkish-red flower stalks with lantern-shaped pink flowers with yellow tips. South or west-facing windows work best, however, grow lights can help supplement if needed.
Moon Cactus
Scientific Name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: The size may vary depending on rootstock
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
The moon cactus is a grafted specimen almost always grown as a potted plant rather than a garden specimen. Moon Cacti produce vibrant yellow, orange, or red spherical tops, also known as the scion, with bright green rootstocks. As if the scion isn’t pretty enough, this plant produces small reddish pink or white flowers.
The scion is more shade-tolerant, while the green rootstock loves plenty of light, so bright indirect light is a happy medium. Notably, it’s prudent to avoid direct sun as it can cause the vibrant colors to fade. And like other cacti family species, they require a drying period between deep waterings.
Stonecrop treleasei ‘Rose’
Scientific Name: Sedum treleasei Rose
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
Stonecrop treleasei ‘Rose’ features dusty blue-green thick and fleshy leaves. Although Stonecrop is a common plant, Stonecrop ‘Rose’ is a rare variety.
They are drought-tolerant succulents that do best in direct light and should be close to a sunny window; they do not tolerate low light. Your plant will produce white, pink, or pale yellow flowers that bloom on red-colored stems under the proper environmental conditions.
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String of Dolphins
Scientific Name: Senecio peregrinus
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 inches tall
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Aptly named, String of Dolphins succulents are famous for their well-known dolphin-shaped leaves and long-growing tendrils.
Although the foliage is the main attraction, this plant does produce blooms. They produce tiny white clusters of flowers that have a cinnamon-like fragrance. These adorable trailing succulents look great in hanging baskets or gracefully flowing down from the top of a shelf.
String of Pearls
Scientific Name: Curio rowleyanus (formerly Senecio rowleyanus)
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 1-2 feet long
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
The String of Pearls plant is arguably one of the most well-known trailing succulents. Aptly named, they feature tiny pea-shaped leaves that gracefully spill over hanging baskets or planters.
In addition to the stunning foliage, this succulent produces tiny daisy-like white flowers with bright yellow anthers and long red stamens.
Like the string of dolphins, the flowers produce a cinnamon-like fragrance. Although it rarely blooms indoors, it can produce flowers if it gets plenty of sunlight and adequate watering.
String of Pickles
Scientific Name: Othonna capensis
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 2 inches tall
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Direct sun
If you enjoy trailing succulents, the String of Pickles, also referred to as String of Rubies, is an attractive plant to add to your indoor garden. This succulent features tiny oval-shaped leaves that grow off of a reddish-purple stem.
Although the String of Pickles is related to other trailing succulents, it has a defining attribute that makes it one-of-a-kind. As its common name suggests, its leaves turn a ruby-red color when feeling stressed.
These easy-to-grow plants also produce yellow flowers when they receive proper care. Place your String of Pickles in an area with plenty of sunlight and water it every couple of weeks, and it will thrive.
Tiger Jaws
Scientific Name: Faucaria tigrina
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: Up to 6 inches tall and wide
- Watering Needs: When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade
Tiger jaws are easy to care for succulent plants with low rosettes of fleshy, triangle-shaped leaves edged with spiny “teeth.”
Also referred to as “Shark Jaws,” this plant gets its name from its spiky appearance. The “teeth” are adaptations that allow the plant to redirect dew or rainwater to its base. Though they may look painful to touch, they are delicate and flexible.
Mature plants can live for decades and produce plenty of offsets to continue even after the mother plant dies. Tiger jaws produce vibrant yellow flowers with long, arching tiny petals. For best flowering results, use a grow light.
Zebra Plant
Scientific Name: Haworthiopsis attenuata (formerly Haworthia attenuata)
- Plant Type: Perennial succulent
- Plant Size: 6 inches tall and wide
- Watering Needs: Every 7-10 days in the summer; every 10-14 days during winter
- Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
Zebra plants may have a sharp and spiky appearance, but don’t be afraid to touch them; they’re softer than they look. Haworthiopsis attenuata grows in low clumps of rosettes with 3-5 inch-long leaves. It makes an excellent addition for hanging mini glass terrariums or small containers with light green reindeer lichen.
Zebra Plants produce bell-shaped lavender blooms in the spring and summer. To encourage more flowers, make sure they get plenty of sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Flowering succulents offer a broad range of shapes and colors to add a dazzling element to your indoor garden. Most succulents are native to hot, sunny regions with infrequent watering and require a similar environment to thrive. Additionally, you’ll need plenty of light for most of the above plants to bloom.
