Succulent Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular succulents with care guides, traits, and propagation methods.
Featured Succulent
Showing 13 of 71 species
Aloe
Succulent known for medicinal and edible uses. Aloe vera most famous. Hardy, fast-growing, recommended for beginners.
© Collage by en:User:MidgleyDJ , original images from Wikimedia commons ( Image:Aloe_vera_offsets.jpg and Image:Aloe_vera_C.jpg ) / CC BY-SA 3.0Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
World-famous succulent for medicinal and beauty uses. Thick leaves contain gel-like compounds.
Blue Candelabra Cactus
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
A columnar cactus prized for powdery blue-green stems. Hardy and fast-growing, it is a standard grafting rootstock and a striking garden specimen.
© stephen boisvert from Chicago, United States / CC BY 2.0Echeveria Agavoides
Echeveria agavoides
An echeveria with agave-like pointed leaves. Beautiful with red leaf tip accents.
Elephant Bush
Portulacaria afra
A succulent with densely packed small round leaves. Can be trained as bonsai, eco-friendly with high CO2 absorption.
Gasteria
A hardy succulent with thick tongue-like leaves. High shade tolerance makes it ideal for indoor growing.
© Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0Graptopetalum Paraguayense
Graptopetalum paraguayense
A beautiful succulent with calm silver-gray rosettes. Very hardy and easy to propagate.
© Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0Graptopetlum
Hardy succulent with Oborozuki as representative. Beautiful silver-grey leaves. Easy leaf propagation. Perfect for beginners.
© Dinkum / CC BY-SA 3.0Graptoveria
×Graptoveria
An intergeneric hybrid of Graptopetalum and Echeveria. Inherits the best of both parents - hardy and beautiful.
© author is sannse . / CC BY-SA 3.0Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
A hardy succulent popular for its auspicious name. Features thick round leaves and woody trunk.
© Marcin Sochacki (Wanted) / CC BY-SA 4.0Prickly Pear
A cactus with flat paddle-shaped stems in series. Hardy species also eaten in Mexico.
Sea-Urchin Cactus
Echinopsis eyriesii
A classic household globe cactus long grown in Japan. In early summer it opens huge fragrant white flowers at night. Hardy, cold-tolerant, and clustering.
Sedum
Most species-rich succulent genus. Hardy enough for ground cover. Jelly Bean and Aurora are popular varieties.
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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.