Succulent Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular succulents with care guides, traits, and propagation methods.
Featured Succulent
Showing 6 of 129 species
© Dandarmkd / CC BY-SA 4.0African milk tree
Euphorbia trigona
A columnar Euphorbia with upright, three-angled stems branching like a candelabrum, dark green with pale V-shaped markings, paired spines and teardrop leaves along the ridges. It is not known to flower.
© Andrew Hankey / CC BY-SA 4.0Baseball Plant
Euphorbia obesa
A ball-shaped succulent that looks like a cactus but belongs to the spurge family. It rots easily, so water only once the mix has dried out completely.
© Prenn / CC BY-SA 3.0Crown of thorns
Euphorbia milii
A Madagascan Euphorbia with densely spiny stems topped by showy, petal-like bracts in red, pink, yellow or white. It blooms year-round given warmth and is a popular flowering pot plant.
© Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0Melon spurge
Euphorbia meloformis
A melon-shaped Euphorbia with eight ribs striped light green and purplish-brown. Old flower stalks persist on the plant, a key difference from the similar E. obesa.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Mottled spurge
Euphorbia lactea
A cactus-like columnar Euphorbia with paired short spines on its ridges and white-marbled green stems. Many garden forms exist, including the pale 'White Ghost' and the crested 'Cristata'.
© Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova / CC BY-SA 4.0Pencil tree / Milk bush
Euphorbia tirucalli
A Euphorbia that branches into countless pencil-thick green stems, looking like coral. It has no spines and its leaves drop early. The name refers to its white latex, which is highly toxic.
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Succulent FAQ
- How much do succulents cost?
- Common Echeveria cost 300-2,000 yen, popular Haworthia obtusa 1,000-10,000 yen, and rare hybrids or large specimens can exceed tens of thousands of yen.
- Can beginners grow succulents?
- Echeveria, Sedum, and Graptopetalum are hardy and beginner-friendly. Place in a sunny spot and water only when the soil is completely dry.
- What are the key tips for growing succulents?
- Place in a sunny spot with good airflow and water sparingly. Many species go dormant in summer and winter, so adjusting care to their growing season is key to beautiful growth.
- What should I check when buying succulents?
- Check that leaves are plump and firm, the base isn't rotting, and there are no pests (like mealybugs). For bare-root plants, root condition is also important.
- How long do succulents live?
- With proper care, succulents can thrive for 10+ years depending on species. They're easily propagated through leaf cuttings and division, allowing enjoyment across generations.