10 Hardy Succulents That Survive Anything

I love landscaping with hardy succulents! They’re surprisingly hardy, and depending on the variety chosen, you might find that they require very little care. And depending on your area of the country, tons of hardy succulents can survive the winter, making them perennials that grow well into Spring, Summer, and beyond. Here is a list of my favorite hardy succulent varieties ! Keep reading below to learn more.

Hardy Succulents: Garden Outdoor

If you live in growing zones 6-10 you can plant any of these hardy succulents outdoors. They’ll go into a hibernation period over the winter and will come back vibrant in the Spring.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera plants are part of the succulent family and its not hard to see why. It too stores water in big, gigantic leaves. Its pulp can be used for a variety of things like sunburns. These plants are seriously HARDY, too. They can grow in just about any condition. I can personally affirm this, I had an aloe in the back of my yard that had been forgotten for years. After some tending, it sprang back to life. Aloe does wonderfully in zones 7 and up!

Orostachys

Put this unique succulent in the sunniest corner of your yard and forget about it. Only water when the soil is bone dry as it is extremely susceptible to root rot.

Zone 7-Donkey’s Tail

These pretty succulents can grow to be at least 2 feet long, just so long as they are grown in the correct lighting conditions. It requires bright morning sun with afternoon shade. This variety of succulent hates the heat, so be sure to take note of your growing zone…it does best between 6-7.

Zone 8-String of Pearls

Similar to Donkey’s Tail, the String of Pearl plant is great for hanging containers based on the way that it grows. All this plant needs to thrive is plenty of drainage and not much else. Growers should make sure to test the soil with your finger before watering. Only water when the soil feels dry up to your first or second knuckle. A string of Pearls needs a bit of a warmer climate to thrive, I recommend planting in zones 8-10.

Hardy Succulents: Zone 5

Jovibarba

You’ve probably seen one of these succulents as part of a centerpiece somewhere. These succulents can literally survive ANY kind of condition. It thrives in heat, cold, or places where drought is common. It’s impossible to kill this beauty!

Crassula

You can grow Crassula succulents in as low as zone 5, just as long as you bring them inside over the winter. Crassula, or a Jade plant, needs well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. It’s slow-growing but is a beauty when it does get larger! Water no more than once weekly.

Hens & Chicks

Like most succulents, this plant loves well-draining soil. These plants require no fertilization and are used to going extended periods without water. They are called “hens & chicks” because the “chicks” can be removed from the “hen” for propagation. This hardy succulent does beautifully in zone 5 because it loves the chilly winters!

Hardy Succulents: Zone 4 (and Under)

It can be hard to find hardy succulents that can survive heavy snow and frost. The three below can take all the snow (and more!) that you can throw at it!

Frost- Queen Victoria Agave

If you’ve ever visited the desert, you’ve probably seen these plants growing all over the place! Not only are the leaves delicious when made into a sweetener, but they are one of the hardiest succulents in the frost. Let agave plants dry out completely before watering deeply.

Cold Hardy Succulents-Broadleaf Stonecrop

This is a succulent variety that survives just about anything. In fact, it is hardy up until -5 degrees! As with most succulents, make sure the soil is well-draining. It also likes to grow in between rocks, so keep this in mind when planning your landscaping.

Winter Hardy Succulents-Texas Sotol

Though it looks more like wild grass, the Sotol is actually a succulent. And an incredibly cold-hardy one, at that. This plant is hardy in temperatures that get below -20. Keep your plant in full sun, however, and water sparingly!

 

Keep reading for more information about succulent care.