Name All Common Types of Succulents You Can Easily Find For Your Garden

The succulent family includes an enormous range of varied and beautiful plants. From the humble jade plant to the magnificent saguaro cactus, succulents occupy every corner of the world with fantastic shapes and colors.

It would be impossible to describe every type of succulent, but here are a few of our favorites. How many types of succulents do you have??

1. Mexican Hens and Chicks, Echeveria Lola

This elegant Echeveria Lola is responsible for bringing many succulent enthusiasts into the fold. The delicate aquamarine color, powdery patina, and curvaceous leaves all add together to equal a champion succulent.

This Echeveria, like all others, earned its common name of “hens and chicks” because of its unique method of self-propagation. A healthy plant will grow a multitude of baby plantlets around its bottom edge which resemble chicks peeking out from under a mother hen.

2. Ladyfinger Cactus, Mamilliaria Elongata

The Ladyfinger Cactus is one of the most common species of household cactus for one reason: nothing could be easier to take care of and to propagate.

This fuzzy-looking succulent creates new cactus buds all the time. Once they’ve grown a little, they can be popped off and placed in dirt. While it takes a little while for the roots to grow, you are assured many new cacti all from the original mother plant.

Be aware that this plant really likes its sunlight – if it doesn’t have bright light, it will quickly grow tall and leggy. If that happens, you can just cut off the top part that has begun to stretch. After the wound heals it will grow new baby cacti at that spot. It’s a win-win!

3. Tiger Tooth Aloe, Aloe Juvenna

This example of Aloe really puts that old Aloe vera to shame. The colors of the two plants are almost identical, but the shape of the tiger tooth becomes more and more pleasing as it grows larger.

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The tiger tooth aloe is characterized by overlapping segments of two opposite leaves adorned with its namesake – large spikes that resemble the tiger’s teeth! Don’t worry, they’re not actually sharp. Feel free to pet this domestic tiger.

4. Black Prince, Echeveria Hybrid

The Black Prince succulent is on level two of succulent obsession. It’s not the first succulent you will purchase, but once you get that first jade plant, this isn’t far behind.

And who can blame you? A happy, healthy Black Prince has a lustrous black hue that is unmatched in the plant kingdom. It also has beautiful ad thick leaves. Be careful though – without lots and lots of bright light, this Echeveria will quickly lose its dark coloring and revert to a very plain shade of green.

5. Perle von Nurnburg, Echeveria Hybrid

The Perle von Nurnburg is the crown jewel of any succulent collection. The majestic purple coloring and broad, inviting leaves simply can’t be matched by any other plant.

Surprisingly, it’s not even a particularly difficult succulent to care for, nor is it exceptionally rare. You’re likely to find one in any garden center or home improvement store (although they’ll need some R&R before they can reach their full potential).

6. Split Rock, Pleiospilos Nelii

Often confused with Lithops, the Split Rock is a different, yet similar, succulent. Both are in the Mesemb family which is known for plants that look like rocks instead of plants.

Plants in this family tend to sit very low to the ground. Oftentimes, part or all of their thick leaves are buried in the surrounding dirt. Several species have transparent window-like leaves that allow light to penetrate even when the plant is buried.

Split Rocks are very sensitive to being overwatered. They are watered much less frequently than other types of succulents, and so they don’t do well in mixed-composition pots.

7. Jade Plant, Crassula Ovata

The Jade Plant has several names, including Money Plant and the Lucky Plant. It’s a classic succulent found in offices and living rooms the world over. Many are family heirlooms with cuttings and even whole plants being passed on through generations.

Rightfully so! Jades can live centuries with proper care and are prolific propagators. They’re some of the easiest succulents to care for as well – you’ll know when to water when you see the leaves begin to wrinkle.

8. Ogre Ears, Crassula Ovata

Believe it or not, Ogre Ears is actually the same species as the Jade Plant. It is, however, a different cultivar. Sort of like two of the same kind of dog having different colors.

While their leaves are noticeably different, most other characteristics are shared between the two types of jade. Ogre Ears readily propagates from leaves or stems that are plucked off and placed in dirt. The telltale shriveling of leaves as an indicator of the need for watering is even more obvious.

9. Lipstick Echeveria, Echeveria Agavoides

It’s no secret where this Echeveria got its name. In bright, direct light it reveals its true colors – a luscious scarlet rim around the edge of the green leaves. Between that and the already glossy leaves, this plant is ready for a night out on the town.

That glossy complexion is caused by the succulent’s particularly thick “cuticle”, which is a protective waxy coating on the leaves. Practically, it’s great for retaining moisture. Aesthetically, it can make an awesome companion piece to other types of succulents with dark green colors.

10. Bunny Ear Cactus, Opuntia Microdasys

The Bunny Ear Cactus is representative of the whole Opuntia genus. It grows quickly; new cactus pads pop up with the same frequency and appearance as rabbit ears.

Unlike some other cacti, this is one you can pet. Be careful though: if you get close to the skin of the cactus you might inadvertently touch “glochids” – tiny, almost-invisible hairs that irritate your skin and are hard to remove.

On second thought, maybe just pet a real bunny ear.

11. Jelly Bean Plant, Sedum Rubrotinctum

These cute little beans don’t taste nearly as good as real Jelly Beans, but they’re not poisonous if you really want to test that. They do look way better than the real thing, though. With lots of sun, the Jelly Beans on this plant turn into a gorgeous translucent rainbow of red, pink, and yellow.

We recently shared this beautiful Jelly Bean Plant on our Instagram really felt the love. Over 25k likes! If you are one of them that showed the love, we were asked countlessly where to buy them. This one we featured was a variegated and pretty rare.

The leaves of this little Sedum are incredibly fragile. They fall off at the slightest touch. Don’t be upset – leave them in the pot and they’ll start to grow their own baby Jelly Bean Plant!

12. String of Pearls, Senecio Rowleyanus

Is this succulent a plant or a piece of jewelry?

That’s for you to decide, but don’t be surprised if you see these green guys dangling from a neck or some earrings in the near future. They’re becoming incredibly popular as decorations for minimalist themes. It’s not a far jump to being an ornament for humans.

These pearls, unlike natural ones, don’t do well in water. Be really careful with how often you water. We recommend a fast-draining soil and waiting to water until the pearls start to turn pruney.

13. Snake Plant, Sansevieria Trifasciata

The Snake Plant, also called Mother in Law’s Tongue, this succulent is extraordinarily versatile. It thrives in outdoor landscape environments and indoor potted settings too. It can grow up into an enormous bush ten feet across or stay as a little house plant with three leaves.

Not to mention the sheer indestructibility of the Snake Plant. It’s a low-light plant, a rarity amongst succulents, but this guy takes it to the next level. They can live in near-pitch black for weeks or months at a time.

Will they like it? No. They will absolutely live, though.

14. Key Lime Pie, Adromischus Cristatus

Another delectable-looking succulent, Key Lime Pie is an easy-going plant. The succulent has sparkling green leaves. It doesn’t need too much light, it’s not overly-sensitive to water, and it doesn’t mind crowding. It can make a great indoor plant that doesn’t require valuable window real estate.

Don’t tell anyone, but I think it looks more like a pierogi than key lime pie.

15. Zebra Plant, Haworthia Attenuata

This is a familiar sight to anyone who has ever seen a stock photo. The Zebra Plant is probably the most photographed succulent of all time and it’s easy to see why. The long, dark green leaves contrast nicely with the white stripes and the geometric shape is pleasing to the eye.

The other thing that is pleasing is how easy it is to care for the Zebra Plants. They grow slowly but don’t need much light or water. Occasionally a tiny baby plant will pop up in the pot next to the mother plant. Cut it off and give it away as a gift!

16. Kiwi Aeonium, Aeonium Kiwi

The vivacious colors of the Aeonium Kiwi make it hugely popular. Pink, white, and green in one delightfully vibrant package.

This succulent grows best as an outdoor shrub, though you can care for it inside if you provide the conditions it requires. It prefers warm temperatures but can tolerate a few chilly nights if temperatures don’t get below freezing.

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It would be great if you can suggest some other types of succulents that we didn’t mention that you would like to see on the site. Thanks for reading our article about the different types of succulent plants. If you enjoyed this read, please be sure to share with your friends and fellow succulent lovers!