30 Colorful Succulents You’ll Love
Succulents, with their distinctive forms and textures, are a fun design element to add to the garden. Here you’ll find an assortment of colorful succulents, images, and links to buy.
These easy-care plants come in various shapes, forms, and sizes. The ones we have listed here can be found in shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, and orange. All these beautiful succulents are easy to combine and combine to create a tapestry in a succulent garden or an interesting arrangement in a container.
When choosing your succulents, pay attention to the form they grow in and the size they get. Some are mat-forming and stay compact, whereas others grow tall and get leggy. I know this well because I had a garden full of succulents when I lived in Santa Barbara. Now that I live in Tucson, which is a more extreme climate, I grow all of my fleshy succulents in pots sheltered from the strong sun.
One succulent can overtake the others in a year or two and need to be cut back. Fortunately, succulents propagate easily!
This post is focused on growing colorful succulents in the garden. We include cold hardiness for each plant so you can determine if they’ll grow in your garden. If not, start with a small container full of succulents and move it indoors for the winter months to a very bright location.
You can try growing some of these succulents indoors if you’d like. I’ve found that most of them do best outdoors when grown for the long haul. I’ve learned from experience that your succulent will probably get mealybugs when growing indoors.
We have you covered when it comes to identifying and treating mealybugs. Another piece of advice: treat any pests as soon as you see them because they can spread like crazy from plant to plant.
Note: Most succulents flower. This post isn’t about flower color. These beautiful succulents all showcase color through their foliage.
Thank you to our friends at Mountain Crest Gardens for providing many of the photos included here! Click on the “Buy Now” button to get more growing helpful info on their site for each plant.
Basic Succulent Care
Here are a few general succulent care tips:
- Succulents need well-drained soil
- Succulents require little water
- In regards to exposure: full sun along the coast, partial shade or full shade inland
- Your succulents may need pruning at some point to keep them looking good
30 Colorful Succulents
Benefits of Succulents
Some of the benefits of planting succulents include:
- Succulents are low-maintenance plants
- There are many colorful varieties on the market
- They’re attractive additions to any garden and combine beautifully, especially in rock gardens
- You can grow them in pots or in the ground
- They’re a good choice for people who want a drought-resistant plant
Do you want to learn more about growing succulents? We have covered a range of topics on caring for succulents: Watering Succulents, How Much Sun Succulents Need, Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix, Succulents Growing Long Stems, Transplanting Succulents In Pots, How To Work With Succulents Without The Leaves Falling Off, Hanging Succulents
Succulents Changing Color
Most succulents exhibit different shades of green. Many will transform into shades of red, pink, purple, orange, and yellow.
Depending on the time of year and whether your succulents are indoors or outdoors, they can change color and/or intensity. One type of succulent can be greener in the summer, pinker in the fall, and lavender in months with cold temperatures.
A plant’s color changes are caused by environmental stress. For instance, My Euphorbia “Sticks On Fire” is much greener in the hot summer months and has much more tinged orange stems in the cooler months. Strong sun, cold temperatures, dry conditions, etc. causes the color change.
Here in the Arizona Desert, the fleshy leaves of an Aloe vera planted in the ground in the strong summer sun and not irrigated will turn orange/brown.
1) Echeveria Dusty Rose
This plant is named Echeveria dusty rose because its leaves are shaped like a rose. On top of that, the plant’s pale pink color looks covered in fine dust. It’s one of the most distinctively shaped echeverias, making it easy to identify.
Growth Habit/Shape: Low Growing Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
2) Sedum rubrotinctum “aurora” – Pink Jelly Bean
This stemmed sedum from Mexico is a long-time favorite among growers. It has round, fleshy leaves that spiral up its stem, and its color can vary from pale green to pink and cream. The brightest pigments show when it’s grown in bright sunlight, making it a wonderfully colorful accent in potted arrangements.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem, Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
My front garden was a rock garden. This plant sweetly tumbled among and over the rocks.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
3) Sedeveria – Pink Granite
This succulent has pink leaves and gets pretty tall before trailing on the ground or in a planter. You might see some white flowers in the fall. This plant is an excellent addition to any home, combining soft pink leaves with a minty green center. It’s a stemmed grower reaching up to 6.0″ tall, eventually spilling out of containers.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem, Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
4) Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi variegata
This lovely Kalanchoe has very round leaves gradually blending into shades of pink on the tips. It blends beautifully with the green colors and a hint of purple too.
Growth Habit/Shape: Low shrubby
Cold Hardiness: Zone 9b (25F)
I grew this plant in my garden and it got quite stemmy and wide. It was planted next to a Narrow- Leaf Chalksticks and they duked it out (both were winners!) for space.
Buy Now: Etsy
5) Kalanchoe “pink butterflies”
This is a popular plant among succulent enthusiasts! The new leaves of the plantlets or bulbils resemble butterflies. These bulbils are pink because they lack chlorophyll. They almost resemble octopus tentacles with their odd shape.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
6) Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg
The classic hybrid Pearl Orchid is loved for its pearlescent pink and purple tones that can also appear blue and green. Its leaves have an elegant curve to them that resembles rose petals.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This beautiful rosette turned a deep lavender/purple color in winter. It was planted right next to my front steps so I saw it every day.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
7) Echeveria After Glow
This rosette, with shades of pink, blue, and purple, is stunning. It grows substantially and vibrantly in bright sun. The leaves are coated with a natural wax to appear shinier than other succulents.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
8) Anacampseros telephiastrum variegata
The succulent is known for its brightly-colored leaves, which feature a variegation rosette with intense rose, lime, and emerald green hues. Its flowers typically bloom in the summer.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette, clumping, mounding
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I’ve always grown this plant in a container with other succulents. This one stays compact so don’t crowd it out more vigorous growers.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
9) Crassula marginata “variegata” “Calico Kitten”
Variegated, stacked Crassula of pink, green, and cream. The heart-shaped leaves are layered on long, narrow stems that arc to the ground as they grow. This is an excellent choice for hanging baskets or as a “spiller” in container arrangements. Exposure to direct sun deepens the pink pigments.
Growth Habit/Shape: Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I grew this plant in a container along with a Eurphorbia trigona rubra and it trailed over the edge of the pot creating quite a “spiller”!
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Mountains
10) Aloe “pink blush”
If you love Aloe vera plants, you will be pleased with this one with a hint of pink on the edge of the leaves. This small, clumping Aloe with bumpy, textured leaves is mottled with dark and light green pigments.
Growth Habit/Shape: Loose Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I have this plant growing in a mixed succulent container on my covered back porch here in Tucson. It grows slowly but has produced quite a few pups.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
11) Graptoveria “opalina”
If the Graptoveria ‘Opalina’ is placed into sunnier conditions, it will flush pink at the edges. The distinctive leaves are round and soft and stay fairly upright.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 9 (20F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
12) Graptosedum “alpenglow”
The plant leaves are brilliantly pink, shading from light rose to deep coral. The stems can grow long, and the leaves grow on the full length of the stems.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This plant grew in my Santa Barbara garden and as it aged, grew long stems. It would turn from a light pink to a lovely deep coral/pink.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
13) Graptopetalum rusbyi
This succulent has long, pink leaves with tips that resemble rosettes. It offsets prolifically, meaning new plants can easily be grown from cuttings. With time, this plant forms into a neat clump. The blooms are an extraordinary mix of red, pink, and white and have been a source of joy for many.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
14) Sempervivum – Pink Lotus
The large rosettes have a form similar to a water lily or lotus and a striking pink coloration that lasts most of the year. This makes a lovely ground cover and is one of the cold hardy succulents on this list.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 5 (-20F)
Related Care: Hens & Chicks Growing Guide
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
15) Pachyphytum oviferum – Pink Moonstone
This pink form of the species can range from peachy pink to pale lilac. It is coated in a powdery layer of farina for sun protection. We love the round, chubby leaves.
Growth Habit/Shape: Loose Rosette, Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
There are so many ways you can show off your succulents. Here are some ideas: Succulents On Driftwood, 10 Ways To Hang Your Succulents, Succulents In Unusual Containers, Living Succulent Wreath, Keeping A Succulent Wreath Alive, Succulent & Driftwood Arrangements, Succulent Platers From Vintage Books
16) Crassula platyphylla variegata
This succulent can look very different depending on how it’s grown. Sometimes the leaves are bubblegum pink or they can contain vibrant red colors. It’ll grow just fine in indirect sunlight but more sun will bring out the shades of red.
Growth Habit/Shape: Clumping / Mounding
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This one grew as a ground cover in my front garden and turned quite red in the late summer/early fall.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
17) Sempervivum mystique
This succulent has a large rosette with reddish-brown leaves. Its center has a hint of green. The leaves can also turn into dark shades of purple. This beauty is another cold hardy one.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 4 (-30F)
Related Care: Hens & Chicks Growing Guide
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
18) Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Mini Me’
This mini-me is a variety of the popular Jelly Bean sedum from Mexico. It’s a soft succulent with tiny, round leaves that spiral up each of the short stems. It has a lime green base with flushes of red.
Growth Habit/Shape: Low Growing / Creeping
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
19) Echeveria agavoides “lipstick”
This lipstick succulent is a beautiful green rosette with pointed leaves lined with beautiful shades of crimson red. Echeveria needs bright sunlight to thrive!
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This one grew under the Giant Bird Of Paradise in my garden, produced pups, and was edged in bright red for a few months out of the year.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
20) Echeveria nodulosa
The Echeveria is a succulent plant with a uniquely shaped branching and sprawling stem. Its long, green leaves are heavily lined with hints of pink and deep purple.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
21) Othonna capensis “ruby necklace”
The Ruby Necklace is a succulent with unique-looking bean-shaped leaves that hang on stems up to 2 inches long. This plant is native to South Africa and can be found in a variety of colors, including pink and purple.
Growth Habit/Shape: Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I grow this as a houseplant here in Tucson. That’s my friend holding it in the above picture on the right.
Related: 7 Hanging Succulents To Love
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
22) Kalanchoe sexangularis
This plant grows quickly and easily, and its glossy, scalloped foliage on tall stems makes it a striking addition to container arrangements. However, its stems can become leggy over time, but the plant responds well to severe pruning.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
23) Kalanchoe Luciae (Paddle Plant)
This plant features glossy, scalloped foliage on tall stems. Exposure to direct sun or temperatures around 40F brings out bright red stress colors, particularly on the edges and undersides of the leaves.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem, Clumping / Mounding
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This plant spread (by pups) like crazy in my garden. After year two, I had to cut many of the tall, leggy stems back, heal them over, and then replant.
Related: Paddle Plant Propagation, How To Plant Paddle Plant Cuttings
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
24) Crassula “red pagoda”
This wacky-looking succulent has stacked leaves that look like miniature towers. This succulent can reach a maximum length of 8 inches and produces stunning white flowers in the summer, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The amount of sunlight a succulent receives will play a role in determining its brilliance.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem, Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
If you like crazy plants, this will be one of your favorite succulents! Mine grew in a container where it spilled over as well as grew upright.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
25) Adromischus maculatus “calico hearts”
This succulent is extra chunky, with heart-shaped, grey-green leaves flushed and edged in red spots. This makes it a unique and beautiful plant that would make a great addition to any home or garden.
Growth Habit/Shape: Low Growing / Creeping
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
This plant grows in the container along with my Pink Aloe and other succulents. It’s quite green now (mid-Dec) because it’s not getting the bright light it gets most other times of the year. The burgundy/red edging start appearing in March.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
26) Sedum x Adolphii
This unique stemmed succulent ranges in color from yellow to green and is characterized by triangular leaves outlined in a striking red-orange hue. It thrives when kept indoors and produces beautiful clusters of star-shaped white flowers when placed in full sun.
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
27) Sedum nussbaumerianum
Sedum is an evergreen perennial that boasts a beautiful orange color when exposed to full sunlight. It adds so much color and texture to any succulent garden!
Growth Habit/Shape: Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I’m a fan of the color orange. I grew this in Santa Barbara in the ground and grow it in a container here in Tucson as an underplanting for my small Plumeria tree.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens | Etsy
28) Euphorbia tirucalli Sticks On Fire
This is a striking reddish-orange, gold, and light green succulent with many coral-like branches, each about the width of a pencil. When planted in the ground in Mediterranean climates, it can develop into a 6-8′ tall shrub, though it will stay smaller indoors in a pot. This is a variety of the popular Euphorbia tirucalli or Pencil Cactus.
Growth Habit/Shape: Shrub
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I grow this in a large pot on my back patio. In the hot desert summers, it’s more green in color, but now as we’re two weeks away from winter, it’s turning a vibrant orange color.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
29) Aeonium Sunburst
This beautiful large rosette succulent is variegated with green, white, and yellow and a pink leaf margin. It grows tall in Mediterranean climates, but it can also grow as a house plant on very sunny sills. ‘Sunburst’ blooms with cones of tiny, white flowers in summer.
Growth Habit/Shape: Rosette, Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Cold Hardiness: Zone 10 (30F)
I planted this in my front garden in Santa Barbara. It grew quite large and looked just like a big ray of sunshine!
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
30) Sedum Angelina
This one is a true standout in rock gardens and arrangements for its brilliant golden-yellow foliage. It’s a low-growing, mat-forming ground cover with needle-like leaves that look like yellow, miniature spruce. This is another cold hardy succulent on this list.
Growth Habit/Shape: Low Growing / Creeping, Hanging / Trailing
Cold Hardiness: Zone 4 (-30F)
I grew this in my garden and planted it in a few clients’ gardens in the SF Bay Area. It spreads like crazy and contrasts beautifully when grown next to plants like Cobalt Lobelia.
Buy Now: Mountain Crest Gardens
Want to learn more about How to Care for Succulents Indoors? Check out these guides!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a plant that is easy to take care of, looks beautiful in any garden, and has a lot of benefits, then colorful succulents may be a good choice for you! Keep these succulent tips in mind when you’re planting your succulents, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.
Happy gardening,
Nell (with Miranda & Cassie)
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- About the Author
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
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Miranda is a content writer and blog strategist. In her free time, she loves traveling, hiking, going on road trips, watching the latest shows on Netflix, and geeking out on all things blogging.
