Succulents are all the rage, there’s no doubt about it. With a wide variety of colors and shapes, they’re easy to love. Plus, they’ll even forgive you if you happen to forget about them for a while. So next time you want a new green pal, consider succulent bouquet delivery.
Still, it’s hard to say goodbye to the beauty and excitement that comes with watching a flower bloom. That’s where flowering succulents come in! These plants allow you to enjoy the drought-resistant nature of succulents plus the beauty of blooms. We’ve rounded up seven flowering succulents you’ll want to add to your home ASAP.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera x buckleyi, is a clear favorite with trailing leaves adorned with lively pink flowers. With some bright sun and just a little bit of water, this cactus will provide you with blooms each winter.
Unlike a lot of cacti, the Christmas cactus isn’t dangerous to the touch. Its leathery, flat leaves only contain small spikes on their edges. While this plant lacks dangerous spikes, it has a cascading form that adds a bit of drama to any room.
As its name suggests, the Christmas cactus blooms around the winter holidays. Its bright pink flowers appear on the edge of leaves and last for multiple days. Talk about a great gift!
If you can’t get enough of these flowers, you might want to check out some of this plant’s relatives. Other members of the Schlumbergera genus include the Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus. They predictably bloom during the seasons of the holidays they are named after. We won’t judge if you want to collect them all for a long-lasting display of cacti blooms.
Peanut Cactus
The peanut cactus, Echinopsis chamaecereus, is a low-growing cactus with some seriously impressive blooms. While these cacti have stems that are as cute as Charlie Brown and Snoopy, their dramatic flowers are seriously beautiful.
The narrow finger-like stems can grow up to six inches tall and regularly clump together to form a dense mat. When spring arrives, the stems begin producing their beautiful flowers which may continue blooming throughout the summer.
Jelly Bean Plant
All it takes is one look at the jelly bean plant to see what inspired its name. Cute pudgy green and pink leaves look just like lil’ jelly beans. Other names for this plant include pork-n-beans and Christmas cheer. Its scientific name is Sedum rubrotinctum.
Like most types of sedum, this plant is easy to grow. All it needs is a sunny spot, a bit of water, and warm temperatures. If you’re hoping for lots of pink and red leaves, make sure to provide lots of color-inducing sunshine. A bright window is a perfect location for indoor succulents.
While this plant is worth adding to your home for its leaves alone, we can’t forget about its flowers. During the spring or summer, the jelly bean plant produces bright yellow star-shaped flowers.
Hedgehog Cactus
The hedgehog cactus is just as cute as the spiny little critter it’s named after. There are all sorts of different species of these cacti, but they all belong to the genus Echinocereus. All species are short and stout with threatening spikes. They grow in a clumping form with three to 50+ stems per plant!
These little guys are easy to care for indoors or outdoors in warmer environments. Just provide some sunshine, keep the air warm, and make sure not to overwater. With the right care, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous blooms. Hedgehog cacti have some of the largest flowers in the cacti family, which means you’ll get to enjoy quite the show. Flowers may be pink, red, orange, or yellow depending on the species.
Another great thing about hedgehog cacti is that they’re native to the Southeast United States.
That means they’re used to arid environments present in states such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. So if you live in one of these areas, go ahead and plant these little guys outside.
Ruby Necklace
Ready to adorn your house with some beautiful plant jewels? Then look no further than the ruby necklace, aka Othonna capensis. This succulent has trailing purple stems that look great when cascading out of a planter or hanging basket. Its stems are adorned with narrow, succulent leaves which lead to the names string or rubies, string of pickles, and little pickles.
The color of the leaves depends on the amount of light they receive. Without much direct sun, the leaves will remain green. As you increase the amount of sunlight, leaves begin to turn pink and red. Yes, we just let you in on one of many succulent surprises.
If the beautiful foliage isn’t enough of a reason to love this plant, take note of the cheerful yellow flowers. They can appear throughout the year and add a boost of happiness to your home.
Mexican Rose
If you’re ready for some floral fireworks, you’ll want to add this succulent to your home! Also known as the Mexican firecracker, Echeveria setosa has a gorgeous rosette of leaves that resemble a flower.
The little white hairs that cover its leaves set this adorable plant apart from similar succulents. Fun fact: the species name setosa is derived from the Latin word “seta” meaning bristle, which alludes to these rough hairs. If you’re looking for a plant that has some texture yet isn’t as dangerous as a cactus, the Mexican rose could be for you.
Of course, this plant isn’t just about leaves; its flowers put on quite a show! A tall flower spike emerges and then gives way to a display of red flowers with bright yellow tips.
Echeveria succulents fit right in with blooms, so we’ve paired them with flowers in our succulent Bouqs. So go ahead and send succulents that your loved one can enjoy now and plant later.
Ice Plant
Don’t be afraid, there’s nothing icy about these sweet lil’ succulents. While they can withstand quite a bit of cold, their name comes from thin petals that seem to glimmer in the sun like they’re covered with ice.
Ice plants contain a large number of species of plants in the Lampranthus and Delosperma genera. They go by the common names ice plants, carpet weeds, and vygies.
These plants make great groundcovers in sunny outdoor rock gardens that mimic their native environment in coastal South Africa. They’re also happy inside in a pot, as long as they have room to trail. No matter where you grow them, you’ll love the little daisy-like blooms.
How to Plant a Succulent
Succulents are some of the easiest plants to care for as long as you know how to make them happy. Most succulents are happiest in a well-draining, sandy potting soil, and warm environment. If you want to plant your succulent outside, it’s a good idea to make sure the temperature never falls below 50ºF.
Succulents like partial to full sun, so put them near a bright window rather than in a dark corner. Since they have fleshy leaves that hold lots of water, you only need to water them once every few weeks. The number one cause of succulent death is overwatering, so be careful not to love these babies to death!
FAQ
Why Isn’t My Succulent Flowering?
If your succulent isn’t flowering, you want to look at temperature and light. Many types of succulents require a long, dark period to induce flowering. That’s right, darkness is just as important as light! If your plant isn’t flowering, make sure it’s in an area that receives total darkness once the sun sets. Artificial light from lamps or TVs can mess with the plant’s cycles and prevent flowering.
You’ll also want to look at the temperature. While many succulents and cacti prefer warm temperatures, they may require a cooler period to flower. Try moving your plant into a cooler area, such as the basement or near a window, during the winter. However, make sure the temperature doesn’t dip below 50ºF since this can permanently harm your plant.
Can I Plant Succulents Outside?
If you live in an area where temperatures stay above 50ºF, it’s generally safe to plant succulents outside in the ground. However, if you live in an area that regularly experiences cold temperatures, it’s best to avoid placing plants in the ground. A good alternative is to place your succulents in pots that you can move indoors during cold weather.
