Who doesn’t want to add some sun-drenched color to their garden this summer? Whether you’re looking to cheer up your living space with new houseplants, revitalize your patio, or add a pop of color to your garden, succulents are the way to go!
Succulents are usually known for their classic, bright green color. But with seemingly endless varieties and hybrids, succulents can produce beautiful sunny yellows, fiery reds, sunset oranges, muted blues, dusty grays, baby pinks, dark purples, and more. In addition, conditions such as sun, water, and temperature can even affect and change the color of succulents.
In short, succulents are anything but bland—these dynamic and surprisingly plants are sure to bring you a burst of color and joy this summer! Contrary to their appearance, these stunning succulents are not hard to grow and maintain, either. Let’s look at some succulents that will brighten up your garden and house this summer!
Aeoniums
Aeoniums are native to the Canary Islands and are still found blooming in Madeira, Morocco, and East Africa. These succulents have dense, waxy leaves and form beautiful rosettes. They come in many different varieties of color, shape, and size.
Aeonium Kiwis feature a combination of yellow, green, and red; they also produce yellow flowers in the spring. Another striking variety is the Black Rose Aeonium known for its dark purple leaves that look almost black. The Sunburst Aeonium is a branching succulent that grows on stalks; the rosettes are streaked in green with bursting yellow centers that will pop in any landscape. The Sunburst Aeonium does well in bright shade to full sun. The Giant Red or “Cyclops” Aeonium is aptly named since it can grow up to 4 feet tall! This colorful branching aeonium forms reddish-bronze leaves with a bright green “eye” in the center.
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Sempervivum plants are beautiful succulent perennials made up of tufted leaves that form lovely rosettes. These succulents are low-growing, compact, and work great as groundcover. In addition, sempervivum plants easily multiply and grow in clusters, which earns them the nickname “hens and chicks” because it appears that the small, baby sempervivum tightly cluster around the more mature sempervivum like chicks around a mama hen. These low-maintenance succulents are great for beginners as they thrive in hot or cold temperatures with either low or strong light.
The Purple Beauty Sempervivum features medium-sized, semi-open rosettes. The rosette is usually a silvery-pink color with green centers and with the pointed leaves edged in purple. The Job’s Beard Sempervivum or “Purple Haze” has flat, rounded leaves with pointed tips. Depending on light, water, and temperature, the leaves can shift from gray to green with deep purple to deep red tones. It enjoys partial shade to full sun.
Echeveria
This succulent variety forms beautiful clusters of compact rosettes, which grow 2 to 6 inches on short stems with plump, water-storing leaves. With over 150 varieties and hybrids, it’s no wonder these plants are one of the most popular and abundant succulents found in gardens and containers. Plus, they are incredibly beginner-friendly!
The Morning Light Echeveria appears to be a lotus blossom with its splayed open, dusty pink leaves and bluish-lavender center. This whimsical succulent thrives under bright, indirect light, so it’s a great pick to cheer up a side table or windowsill. Wine Red Echeveria boasts an intense, eye-catching red color that is indeed deep as wine! Before sun levels fully intensify the red color, the center of the Echeveria will look lime green. A rare variety, this striking succulent will grab anyone’s attention!
The Pink Champagne Echeveria is a warmer, brighter pink that crosses between red and orange depending on light, water, and temperature. Its rosette is more compact than the Morning Light Echeveria, and it prefers partial-to-full sun. The Pink Champagne Echeveria has traces of silvery-gray and muted blue coupled with the pink hues. In the spring, owners can expect to enjoy bright orange blossoms.
Sedum
Native to Mexico and Honduras, these popular perennial evergreens usually hang in baskets due to their long, hanging stems that can reach up to 60 centimeters. The plump, blue-green leaves are rounded and fleshy, and they tightly cluster on the long stems like densely packed grapes.
Blue Carpet Sedum features tightly-clustered silvery blue-green hanging leaves that can turn deep pink or purple in the winter. In the late summer, this beautiful blue accent produces white flowers that further add to its summery charm. Sedum thrives outdoors with full sun, so the Blue Carpet variety will be able to flourish in hanging baskets on sunny patios. The Jelly Bean Sedum has adorable jellybean-shaped pink leaves that can fade into either white or pale green. To intensify the bubblegum pink color, place the plant in bright sunlight. If you can’t decide between warm or cool tone colors, choose both! With the Tricolor Sedum, it actually features 4 different colors: red, green, pink, and white.
Agave
The Agave succulent is known for its large leaves that end in spiny tips. The large, stiff leaves can grow to 10 feet or more. Agave plants are slow-growing succulents and will only produce flower stalks and blooms once they reach full maturity around 10 to 15 years old. However, people usually grow Agave for their dramatic, pointed leaves, not the flowers. Agave succulents are extremely drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun, so they make the perfect addition to garden beds and landscape borders.
The ethereal Blue Glow Agave has chalky blue-green leaves edged in bright red and gold. When backlit by the sun, this striking Agave appears to glow. The Queen Victoria Agave is more compact and round, featuring a tight rosette shape. It is a beautiful deep green color streaked in delicate white markings. This spherical agave looks almost hand-painted to some. It would be an incredibly unique addition to anyone’s succulent collection!
Which colorful succulent would you choose? Drop us a comment below!