Of all the types of plants out there, for me nothing beats a collection of bright and colorful Succulents for adding flavor and flair to your interior spaces.

The thing about succulents is that they’re just so varied– otherworldly shapes, colorful leaves, and spectacular blooms emerging from dry and spiky bodies. They’re genuinely breathtaking, and the options and variations are seemingly endless.

It’s no wonder succulents of all colors, shapes, and sizes are so popular among plant parents. They’re also pretty easy to care for and incredibly resilient, so even if you’re a forgetful plant owner, you can still have success growing colorful succulents.

Whether you’re looking to spice up your living room, add some life to your bathroom, or introduce some color to your garden or porch, there’s a succulent shade that’s perfect for you. So let’s look at some of our favorite colorful succulents— from fiery reds to calming blues– and talk about which ones can add some life to your life!

Meet The Rainbow of Colorful Succulents

On its surface, green is the color of succulents, right?

You think about the classic Saguaro cactus gracing the scenery of a John Wayne film, or the iconic snake plant at your dentist’s desk, or the jade plant on your terrace. Green succulents are seemingly everywhere.

But anyone who’s ever seen a Prickly Pear in bloom, or watched a ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ flash its purplish leaves, knows that succulents have so much more to offer in terms of color. Sometimes it’s their natural state; sometimes, it’s an unexpected overnight bloom. But in either case, colorful succulents can be as captivating as unexpected. And they’re a great way to make a statement with plants.

In this article, we’ll explore the full spectrum of succulent beauty– from sassy reds to calm blues, playful pinks, and royal, mysterious purples. These plants have evolved, adapted, and thrived, painting nature’s canvas with a vibrant palette. So let’s look at these water-hoarding marvels of the natural world.

4 Stunning Red Succulents

Red is the color of love, drama, and fiery passion, so it’s no wonder that red succulents symbolize power and vitality. Adding a red blooming succulent to your space can bring energy and vigor into your life and home. A vibrant red succulent urges you to pursue your passions and live life to the fullest.

Whether it’s a sun-stressed blush or a natural ruby hue, these plants steal the spotlight wherever they go. So let’s meet some of the red carpet celebrities of the succulent world:

1. Echeveria agavoides’ Lipstick’: True to its name, this Echeveria flaunts edges as red like a classic lipstick shade. It’s bold, beautiful, and undeniably alluring. 
2. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii): The Christmas Cactus bursts into bloom right during the holiday season, living up to its name. A tropical forest native, this succulent prefers more humidity and indirect light than its sun-loving cousins. With the proper care, this winter bloomer can steal the show at your holiday celebrations!.
3. Crassula capitella’ Red Pagoda’: The architectural marvel of the succulent universe, Crassula capitella has tightly stacked leaves that resemble a pagoda. And its colorful succulent leaf tips gleam with an intense red, demanding your attention.
4. Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus): The Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus sports radiant red blooms that seem to ignite under the sun. Typically growing in cylindrical clusters, this cactus proudly displays its vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers throughout spring. 

4 Magically Pink Succulents

Moving just a shade away from the red succulents above, let’s enter the fairytale world with some playful pink succulents. These stow-stoppers sprinkle a dash of magic onto any garden or windowsill. They’re not just plants; they’re little floral ballerinas dancing to the tune of nature’s rhythm. 

Here are some favorites:

1. Graptopetalum paraguayense’ Ghost Plant’: This captivating succulent boasts a rosette formation with pinkish-gray leaves. When exposed to sunlight, the tips take on a delicate pink hue. Besides its otherworldly appeal, the ‘Ghost Plant’ is known for its hardiness, quickly reproducing from fallen leaves.
2. Opuntia basilaris’ Beavertail Cactus’: The ‘Beavertail’ is recognized for its broad, flat pads that mimic the shape of a beaver’s tail. This cactus bursts into a display of bright pink blooms in the springtime, which contrast beautifully against its gray-green pads. 
3. Sedum ‘Cherry Tart’: This Sedum has dark pink leaves the color of cherry pie filling, but in late summer, it explodes with a shocking display of bright pink blooms. If you’re a pink lover, this colorful succulent is right up your alley!
4. Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia): The Prickly Pear Cactus is iconic for its spiky appearance and stunning flowers. Many varieties of this succulent boast vibrant pink blooms that create a delightful contrast with their green pads. Given the right conditions, they can thrive in pots and offer a magnificent bloom display in late spring to early summer.

4 Calming Blue Succulents

Blue is the color of serenity, evoking images of a clear sky or a peaceful ocean. And when it comes to the world of succulents, blue variants encapsulate tranquility and calmness. Their soothing shades are like your personal sanctuary against the frenetic pace of life.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite blue succulents: 

1. Echeveria’ Blue Atoll‘: Resembling a still lagoon on a calm day, the ‘Blue Atoll’ boasts broad, fleshy leaves that curl gently upwards. Their silvery-blue tint, amplified by a delicate dusty coating, creates a soothing spectacle, especially when sun-kissed.
2. Sedeveria’ Blue Elf’: The magic of ‘Blue Elf’ lies in its compact rosettes of blue-green leaves. A hybrid between Sedum and Echeveria, this succulent is a testament to calm endurance, capable of withstanding varied conditions while maintaining its tranquil allure.
3. Senecio serpens (Blue Chalk Sticks): Imagine the calm of a beach with endless stretches of blue sea. That’s the vibe’ Blue Chalk Sticks’ brings to the table. Its slender, cylindrical leaves radiate a serene blue hue, acting as a perfect ground cover, turning your garden bed into a calm sea of blue.
4. Dudleya brittonii (Giant Chalk Dudleya): With powdery blue rosettes that can reach impressive sizes, the ‘Giant Chalk Dudleya’ adds a touch of majesty to tranquility. Native to Baja California, its grandeur and soothing color palette make it a mesmerizing centerpiece for any calm-seeking gardener.

4 Enchanting Purple & Lavender Succulents

Purple represents royalty and magic, and you’ll find its mystical expression in the world of succulents. Purple succulents communicate an aura of mystery and spirituality, calling you into a world where reality dances with the ethereal.

Here are some of our top choices for purple succulents:

1. Echeveria ‘Afterglow’: This succulent is like a vision from a dream. Its large rosettes, painted in a mix of lavender and pink, edged with a brighter pink hue, truly embody the essence of a mystical afterglow, leaving a lasting impression long after you’ve looked away.
2. Sempervivum’ Purple Beauty’: Living up to its name, this ‘Hens and Chicks’ variety boasts rosettes adorned with purple-hued leaves, especially during colder months. Its deep shades are reminiscent of a twilight sky, invoking feelings of tranquility and wonder.
3. Echinocereus pentalophus (Ladyfinger Cactus): This cactus stands out due to its breathtaking purple blooms that appear to jump off its pale green body. It’s a sight to behold when in full bloom, reminiscent of desert nights and whispered secrets carried by the wind.
4. Echeveria’ Perle Von Nurnberg‘: One of the crown jewels in the succulent realm, this Echeveria captivates with its soft pink rosette with a mesmerizing purplish tint. This blend of hues makes the ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ a symbol of beauty and mystery. 

4 Sun-Kissed Yellow Succulents

Yellow, the color of sunshine, happiness, and warmth, naturally imparts an uplifting feeling to any space. You’re greeted with optimism and vibrancy when you stumble upon a yellow succulent. Yellow succulents add a burst of cheerfulness and positivity to gardens, patios, and indoor spaces.

Let’s peek at some golden-hued wonders:

1. Sedum adolphii’ Golden Glow’: The Golden Glow’s leaves shine radiant yellow, especially when viewed under sunlight. Its rosettes beam with positivity and will remind you of nature’s simple pleasures.
2. Graptosedum’ California Sunset’: The soft, sun-bleached yellow tones steal the show with this stunning succulent. With rosette-shaped leaves, its yellow becomes more pronounced under direct sunlight, echoing the golden hour of a perfect day.
3. Aeonium ‘Sunburst’: Like a burst of sunshine, the ‘Sunburst’ flaunts large rosettes with yellow-striped leaves. This succulent is like a sunny day embodied in plant form, ensuring that even on the gloomiest days, there’s a hint of sunlight in your home.
4. Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus): While mainly recognized for its imposing cylindrical shape adorned with long spines, some species of the Barrel Cactus surprise with vibrant yellow blooms. These flowers add a splash of warmth and vitality to their formidable appearance.

4 Unexpectedly Green Succulents (with a Twist!)

There’s a world of difference between a monotone green plant and these green succulents that sport layers of patterns, textures, and subtle coloration. These are not your garden-variety green succulents; they are special, unique, and captivating.

Let’s look at a few of our favorites.

1. Haworthia cooperi: This might seem like your regular green succulent at first glance. But take a moment to inspect its fleshy leaves; you’ll find glistening, translucent tips. Like little green lanterns, they capture the sun’s rays, illuminating the plant almost magically in sunlight.
2. Crassula ovata’ Gollum’: J.R.R. Tolkien fans, rejoice! Named after the infamous character, ‘Gollum,’ its tubular, green fingers with reddened tips resemble the twisted hands of its namesake. More than just its unique shape, its deep green color makes it stand out, adding intrigue to your succulent garden.
3. Aloe’ Christmas Carol’: This aloe variety is more than meets the eye. While primarily green, its edges are artistically tinged with vibrant red. It’s as if someone took a brush and painted its edges, preparing it for a festive holiday. It’s kind of mesmerizing.
4. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): Dangling like jewelry, these succulents feature a string of green, pea-shaped pearls. Their cascading nature and glossy finish give them an almost magical aura. The String of Pearls succulent is a statement piece in any home or garden.

4 Mesmerizing Multi-Colored Succulents

There’s a whole dazzling realm of multicolored succulents that capture the imagination with their myriad hues. They’re unique, varied, and occasionally surreal. Dive into this spectacular spectrum with some of the most captivating multicolored succulents:

1. Echeveria’ Rainbow’: As the name suggests, this succulent is a veritable Skittles bag of colors. The leaves boast a splendid gradient, transitioning from a deep lavender base to creamy yellow tips with traces of pink. The shifting colors create a visual spectacle; taste the rainbow, indeed!
2. Kalanchoe’ Fantastic’: A sight to behold, this Kalanchoe variety features broad green leaves generously splashed with cream-colored variegation. As if this isn’t enough, the leaf margins are painted rusty red, adding to its dramatic flair.
3. Aloe’ Pepe’: This is not your average aloe. ‘Pepe’ features a swirl of green and white variegation, with hints of red when stressed by the sun. Its compact form and intriguing colors make it a perfect centerpiece, drawing eyes and sparking conversations.
4. Variegated Indian Corn Cob (Euphorbia mammillaris variegata): Resembling a multicolored cob of corn, this cactus-like succulent showcases alternating bands of green and yellow on its elongated body. To add to its allure, it produces small, vibrant flowers in the springtime that offer a delightful contrast to its variegated form.

Care Tips for Colorful Succulents

Succulents will put up with a decent amount of neglect and still reward you with colorful displays. But if you want to bring out the most vibrant colors and encourage larger blooms, you must treat your plants right. Here are some tips for keeping your succulents full of color and life:

Sunlight Requirements:

Like many of us, succulents enjoy basking in the sunlight. The sun’s rays are a source of energy for these hardy plants and a contributing factor to their vibrant colors. However, too much direct sunlight can lead to color fade or even sunburn. It’s a delicate balancing act. Most colorful succulents thrive in bright, indirect light or partial shade. Some others (like the prickly pear cactus) may need full sun to bloom. So read up on your particular variety to be sure they get the light that will help them best.

Watering Schedule: 

Most succulents hail from arid environments, adapting them to survive with less water than other plants. They function like camels, storing water in their fleshy leaves or stems to use during dry spells. Overwatering can lead to soggy roots and, ultimately root rot, a common death sentence for these plants. 

The rule of thumb with succulents is to water deeply but infrequently. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering, ensuring the plant’s roots aren’t sitting in water. Remember, it’s better to be underwater than overwater.

Soil Preferences:

Succulents have a strong preference for fast-draining, well-aerated soil. In their native environments, they’re accustomed to sandy and gritty soils that don’t hold onto water for too long. Incorporating coarse sand, perlite, or pumice into your potting mix can help create this environment and prevent waterlogging. An ideal soil mix for succulents will be barely moist a few minutes after watering, allowing the roots to breathe and the plant to thrive.

Planting your succulents in LECA is another option for better monitoring and controlling the hydration level and root health.

Fertilization: 

Like all plants, succulents can benefit from an occasional boost of nutrients. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, diluted to half strength, can be applied during the growing season. Remember, succulents have modest nutrient needs. Too much fertilizer can cause more harm than good, leading to soft, leggy growth or damaging the roots.

Pot Selection: 

It’s easy to overlook, but the type of pot used can significantly impact your succulent’s health. Pots with drainage holes are a must to prevent water buildup. The material also matters: porous options like terracotta or ceramic can help evaporate excess moisture. At the same time, plastic tends to retain water longer.

Monitoring For Problems:

Succulents are pretty good at letting you know when something is not right. So watch out for signs of overwatering– like yellowing or browning leaves– and keep an eye out for any unwanted pests.

If you follow these basic guidelines, you can provide the optimal environment for your succulents, enabling them to maintain their vibrant colors and live a long, healthy life.

Wrapping Up

Thanks for joining us on this long journey through the diverse and colorful world of succulents! They really are one of our favorite types of plants to grow. And the wide range of shapes, colors, textures, and vibes is one of the reasons why.

But what do you think–did we miss any of your favorites on this list? What colorful succulents do you recommend? As always, let us know in the comments…we look forward to hearing from you!

The post 24 Colorful Succulents to Spice Up Your Life appeared first on Plant Parent Lab.