Succulents come in all shapes and sizes. One of the most popular features of a succulent is its ease of care. These little plants can endure such a wide variety of climates. They are traditionally very hardy and durable. Most succulent species are drought tolerant, meaning they can go a very long time without water (which increases their lifespan significantly). 

You will often find succulents in outdoor spaces, in rock gardens, desert gardens, or enjoying the indirect sunlight found on a shelf by a window inside. These plants can live in a variety of locations, but there are some that thrive best in certain conditions.

Interested in learning more about how long succulents live? Lula’s Garden has the answer. 

  The Best Succulents for Outdoor Spaces 

It is no secret that succulents make adorable pieces of decoration inside your home (we love our Jewel Garden for indoor decoration). They provide so many different colors, shapes, and sizes! This gives them so much character, which only improves the space they are placed in. 

However, there are certain succulents that will perish if they were in outdoor conditions that did not support their needs. 

Most succulent varieties are drought-tolerant. This means they can endure intense heat, desert conditions, and very little watering. 

Here are some of the most popular outdoor succulent types. 

Whale's tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia): Distinguished by its dark, green leaves. These leaves are wide and fat in shape. The tips of the leaves are sharp. This plant loves bright sunlight and can be found growing wild in Mexico.

Aloe vera: The aloe vera plant can actually grow well in both the outdoors and indoors. Interestingly, the gel produced within the leaves of this plant has fantastic healing properties. This plant grows new leaves and new life with ease.

Creeping sedum (Stonecrop): The creeping sedum can reach heights up to three feet. Typically, this succulent is purchased for its unique ability to cover a lot of ground as it grows. This plant is especially popular in rock gardens. 

Hen and chick succulent (Sempervivum tectorum): This succulent is particularly known for being drought-resistant, making it a very durable and hardy plant. It requires very little watering to survive. You can recognize a hen and chick succulent by its beautiful leaves that form unique rosettes. This plant also self-propagates by producing new growth that sprouts up around the “mother plant.”

Plush plant (Echeveria pulvinata): The plush plant is a gorgeous succulent variety that produces the most incredible blooms in the spring. The blooms of the plush plant are a brilliant orange. It grows low to the ground and thrives with partial shade and dry soil. They do well in outdoor gardens and in large, outdoor pots.

Aeonium: There are many varieties of aeonium, providing you with several colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Each variety, however, produces incredibly unique rosettes. These rosettes also generate flowers ranging in several different color varieties. The aeonium is a great succulent for the outdoors because they thrive in full sun exposure. 

How Long Do Succulents Live Outdoors? 

That is a great question! There are many factors that contribute to a succulent’s life expectancy. Each succulent variety has a different set of needs to consider. 

• Consistent care: Know your succulents well, because optimal conditions really depend on the type.
• Light exposure: Some outdoor succulents need direct light, while others need indirect light. If you have an outdoor succulent, make sure you know its lighting needs.
• Drought tolerance: Generally succulents are drought tolerant. However, just like any other plant, you will have to get to know it by trial and error when it comes to watering. Some succulents prefer very little water while some require more frequent watering.
• Temperatures: Your succulent will most likely be able to handle the most extreme temperatures. However, this is still mostly determined by succulent variety. Knowing what kind of temperature your succulent can tolerate is crucial.

Your succulent will live for a long time outside (possibly several years) if it is an outdoor succulent. There are endless options for outdoor succulents. They can also thrive with ease and minimal effort if you do your research on the front end of owning a succulent. 

Being prepared to give your succulent the best care will ensure its long life. They truly are marvelous plants and can live a very long time if you give them the right kind of attention!

 A Long-Living Succulent for Your Home 

Are you looking for a plant to put inside that adds to your succulent collection, but also serves as adorable shelf decor? Good news! There are endless options for indoor succulents, too.

Here are some of the most popular indoor succulent varieties to choose from:

Jade plant (Crassula ovata): The jade plant is small in size. The leaves are plump and waxy while the stem is woody. These succulents typically grow in bonsai pots, but they will grow in size if placed in a larger pot. The jade plant is also known to produce gorgeous white or pink flowers.

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii): The crown of thorns thrives in dry environments. They love being placed by sunny windows. The plant itself stores up the moisture, allowing it to survive a long time without water.

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): The snake plant survives well in both indoor and outdoor spaces. They are gorgeous and can grow rather large in size. They do well with little light exposure and very little watering. This makes the snake plant an incredibly low-maintenance plant.

Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum): The burro’s tail produces the most gorgeous plump leaves that can grow heavy and hang over the pot’s edge. The strands of leaves often resemble pearls strung together in clumps. They can thrive in a sunny window and need little watering.

Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe): The flaming Katy can be found in the wild in Madagascar. This plant produces the most gorgeous variety of colors in its foliage. The pot needs excellent drainage, however.

Zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata): This succulent plant is considered the most popular indoor succulent to buy. They are noted by their green leaves with a sharp edge. They are covered in white dots or bands, which is why they have the name “zebra plant.” They are small and slow-growing, making them excellent indoor potted plants. 

Care for indoor succulent plants is very simple! Just like the outdoor succulent, they need some basic attention and care. Succulents can live indoors for a very long time with the proper care. 

• Look out for the temperatures inside!
• Keep it in bright and natural light.
• Be mindful of overwatering.
• When it outgrows its space, simply replant your succulent.

 How Can I Care for My Succulent? 

There are some basic tips and tricks to follow for succulent care.

How long do succulents live without water? They can live a very long time due to their drought-tolerant nature! For best practices, be sure to water your succulents every seven to 10 days. 

For best practices, keep your succulents in natural, bright light. They need to stay between 60 and 90 degrees to thrive. Once your succulent has outgrown its space, simply repot it into a pot larger than the one before.

 Get a Succulent Today

Succulents are very durable and hardy plants. They live for a very long time with the proper care. Some succulent varieties can grow several feet tall and wide! If you do the proper research to know your succulents well, they can live for several years. Sometimes they even live for decades.

At Lula’s Garden, we know succulents. We offer the best selection of high-quality succulents that can last for years if taken care of properly. 

Sources:

8 Best Indoor Succulents: A Guide to Indoor Succulents - 2021 | MasterClass

5 Ways to Keep Succulents Alive: How to Care for Succulents - 2021 | MasterClass

Indoor and Outdoor Succulents: 12 Types of Succulent Plants - 2021 | MasterClass