Succulents are simple flowers to plant. They originate from dry, desert areas around the world and are known to thrive under harsh conditions. Hence, they have built up a reputation as one of the easier plants to grow. But for those who have zero confidence, I will walk through 10 of the easiest succulents to grow indoors.
You can’t go wrong with these.
Lets dive in.
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Why grow Indoor Succulents
Their simplicity and ease are what attracts common people.
When I say common people, I refer to the general public who have very little knowledge or experience with planting.
You buy… water them… give some light…and after some time, they will grow.
It is that simple.
Succulents are trending today, and one of the main reasons for this is because they improve home décor. Their colours and beauty have made them a favourite amongst landscapers and interior designers. They do well to add comfort, beauty and a loving feel to homes.
What makes Indoor Succulents Ideal for Beginners
As mentioned above, simplicity and ease is what makes succulents ideal for beginners. This comes from their structure.
Their succulent structure gives them amazing characteristics to support growth.
Succulent leaves have water-storing properties that allows the plant to retain water for long periods. Hence, you do not have to water the plants daily. The succulent can be left for days without floundering it’s growth.
And if you worry about the temperature not being ideal for your succulent… do not worry.
Succulents retain water in their leaves and that allows the succulent to stay cool. Therefore, as long as your room is close to room temperature, your succulent should grow with ease.
Hence, their simplicity and low management make them ideal for all beginners. And for those who want to liven up their insides with plants, why not create an indoor succulent garden to add comfort and a loving feel to your homes.
10 Easy Succulents to Grow Indoors
Succulents are easy to grow and maintain, but for those who are beginners, I will discuss 10 succulents that you can’t go wrong with:
#1 Burro’s Tail
Burro’s Tail is a trailing succulent that you normally find potted in hanging baskets. It is best to hang it high so it can drape over. This is because the leaves can grow over two feet tall. This will prevent damage to the leaves when they grow downwards.
Good Tip
It has fragile leaves therefore, it is better to grow the plant in a basket rather than a container.
Conditions for growth:
-Inactive during winter so let the soil dry out
-Like to be soaked and then left to dry
-Make sure soil has good drainage
#2 Jade Plant
This succulent grows thick stems with big, glossy leaves that can have a reddish outline.
As houseplants, they grow around a foot tall and can be heavy! Therefore, it is best to use a strong container such as terra-cotta or ceramic.
Conditions for growth:
-Keep in bright, indirect sunlight for at least four hours daily. Lack of sun will result in leaves to change colour or appearance (gloss on leaves fade away). The plant is stressed and this causes the leaves to fall
-Have good drainage
-Keep the plant at around room temperature
#3 Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a common succulent used worldwide for its medical properties to treat wounds and burns.
It has a cluster of long leaves that come from a stem and can take up the whole container when growing. The leaves extend outwards and can have sharp edges. Therefore, be careful and avoid cuts.
It originates from hot and harsh climates which makes Aloe Vera one of the easier succulents to grow indoors for beginners.
Conditions for growth:
-At least six hours per day of bright light
-Make sure pot has holes-Ideally more than one. Also, terra-cotta pots are preferred as they are porous and allow good drainage
-Keep the plant at room temperature
-Water when the top third of the soil becomes dry
#4 Snake Plant
They are often referred to them as indestructible. You can’t kill them even if you tried.
Snake plants can survive weeks without water or light. This succulent is the best of the ‘easiest’ succulents to grow indoors.
They are big plants with thick, pointy leaves shooting upwards and can grow up to 3 feet tall. They have patterned marking similar to that of a snake (hence where the name comes from). Their leaves are known to multiply rapidly therefore, monitor the plant every couple of weeks to control its growth. You can prune the plant when needed to make the plant look more neat.
Conditions for growth:
-Make sure pot has holes for good drainage
-Use soil with good drainage. For example, cacti and succulent potting mix (add part sand if needed)
-Keep the plant at room temperature
-Water when the the soil becomes dry. Water less in winter
#5 African milk tree
The houseplant can grow up to 3 feet tall (it definitely is not a tree!). It has triangular-shaped leaves with sharp thorns lining the outside. The leaves grow upwards and are pointy and stiff, patterned with horizontal white stripes.
They may look simple but are a beautiful addition to any modern interior designs.
Conditions for growth:
-Make sure pot has holes for good drainage
-Use well drainage succulent soil
-Keep the plant at room temperature
-Keep the plant slightly moist, but do not over water
#6 Zebra Haworthia
Their leaves can grow red or green, or even a mix of both. The leaf is patterned with bold white stripes on their leaves. This combination gives this succulent a standout look and allows them to be easily spotted.
The zebra succulents are smaller compared to the others, reaching a height of approx. six inches at maturity.
Conditions for growth:
-Make sure pot has holes for good drainage
-Use well drainage succulent soil
-Use fertiliser during growing season
-Keep the plant at room temperature. Avoid freezing temperatures in winter
-Water when the top third is dry. Do not wait till all soil becomes dry
#7 Echeveria
Due to having a large genus, different species show different attributes. This can vary in shape, texture, colour and size. Hence why you commonly see Echeveria used to make the beautiful Korean Succulents.
There are many, many varieties of the Echeveria but, they are all still one of the easiest succulents to grow.
Conditions for growth:
-Make sure pot has holes for good drainage
-Use well drainage succulent soil
-Do not sprinkle water on the leaves. This can damage the waxy coating of the leaves and cause rotting
-Keep the plant at room temperature.
#8 Crown of Thorns
Add a bit of colour and vibrance to your rooms with this lush plant.
This succulent can grow year-round blooming red or yellow bracts surrounding its flower.
Conditions for growth:
-Make sure pot has holes for good drainage
-Let the soil dry out before watering
-Has low to moderate water needs
#9 Paddle Plant
I find this one of the cuter succulents due to its geometric shape and simplicity.
Adding this to your living room will be a great decorative element with its red-tinted leaves and vibrant green colour.
Conditions for growth:
-Use a porous pot with drainage
-Water when soil becomes dry
#10 Lithops
Having the ability to grow year-round with very little attention needed makes Lithops a very popular choice.
They are small succulents that come in an array of different colours and designs- making them a great addition to an indoor succulents garden.
Conditions for growth:
-Use a pot that allows drainage
-Well-drained soil is required as the lithops don’t like moist soil.
-Can survive through dormant periods in winter but be careful of any frost.
What is required to grow indoor succulents?
The majority of succulents have three key requirements for their growth. I will outline them below:
Pot with drainage holes
It is an essential to use pots that have drainage holes. Without drainage holes, the soil will remain moist and soggy. Hence, after watering, this can damage the succulent.
Some plants like Burro’s Tail dangle downwards and it is a better option to place them in a hanging basket. Make sure the basket has holes to allow excess water to leave.
Good Tip!
Water them in an area where drainage can happen before placing them back indoors
Water
Most succulents prefer the dry and soak method. Only water when the soil becomes dry. This can be checked by ‘dipping’ a finger into the soil or using a soil moisture meter.
However, the amount of water required varies between succulents and it is best to check.
Try to use tempered water as too hot or cold can cause plant rot. The best way to do this is by leaving water overnight so it reaches room temperature.
Soil
Invest in soil that has good drainage. This allows water to quickly drain and avoids moist or soggy soil.
A good option would be to buy Cacti Succulent Potting Mix.
Light
Most succulents originate from dry, warm climates. Hence, they are used to bright sunlight. They love the sun and need at least approx. 6 hours of light a day.
But remember- the duration and amount of sun exposure varies for each succulent. Some prefer long durations of sun. Some prefer direct sunlight and some do not. This is something you have to check for the succulents you decide to grow.
Good Tip
It is best to keep the succulent in an area where there is a lot of light. Rotate your succulent once in a while to allow the whole plant to be exposed to light.
In winter, there is very little exposure to light. Therefore, it is best to use artificial light. Fluorescent bulbs or LED are most commonly used. They not only help with light, but keep the succulent warm too.
Temperature
Growing your succulent indoors is advantageous as you do not have to adjust any temperature control in your homes.
An indoor succulent garden can grow year-round if the temperature is maintained.
If temperature maintenance talk is scaring you- do not worry too much about the temperature. Just make sure your house is not freezing!
How to grow Indoor Succulents?
There are so many easy succulents to grow indoors BUT it is important acknowledge that care starts from WHEN YOU BUY THE PLANT!
Clean your succulent when it arrives. This includes the roots, leaves and stem of the plant. All of it. If you notice roots that are rotted, or have a disease- cut them off. The same goes for leaves that look unhealthy.
This makes sure your plant is free of any diseases or pests which can spread.
Also, it is important to note that the succulent roots will be fragile. Therefore, handle with care.
How to pot in a container
How to care for your Indoor Succulents?
Although these plants are the easier succulents to grow indoors, you have to monitor them once in a while to prevent damage to the plant.
Before I get into what you need to be careful of, let this sink in- the care for your plant starts before you buy it.
Your choice of succulents should MATCH if you can meet its requirement for growth. For example, avoid keeping frost hardy succulents indoors for long periods of time. While they thrive outdoors, varieties like Sempervivum and Sedum will decline indoors from lack of light and airflow.
In terms of what needs monitoring, be careful of:
Light
Extra exposure to the sun can cause the leaves to burn. The leaves turn brown and hard. They are unhealthy and need to be cut off before they damage the succulent further.
With very little sun exposure, lanky stretching or colour change from green to yellow/white is visible. It is best to place the plant in an area where there is more light. The windowsill or balcony are great examples.
In winter, it may be best to use a grow lamp.
Soil
Most succulents do not like wet soil. Saggy leaves can suggest too much moisture and this can become a problem.
If you feel like the soil is wet for prolonged periods after watering, it may be best to add horticultural grit to your soil.
Also, use containers with a drainage hole to aid rapid drainage of water.
The dry and soak method is recommended to determine when to water your plants.
Pests
When observing your succulents, be careful of any signs of pests. If any indication, spray an insecticide to prevent further harm to the succulents.
Final Thoughts
For all beginners out there who feel a bit fearful, I hope this post has given you belief and encouragement to invest in your very first succulent.
Honestly, there are many easy succulents to grow indoors even if you have very little knowledge or expertise. You have nothing to lose and there is no risk.
Start with the ten succulents I have recommended, build some confidence and then slowly open your eyes to a reality of many different wonderful plants!
Good Luck!
