Succulents In Your Home: Some Popular Succulents to Grow Indoors

Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum'

Aeoniums are grown for their rosettes of fleshy leaves. A. arboreum's rosettes are on tree-like branches. Rarely exceeding 3 feet in height, 'Atropurpureum' has a deep leaf color if given adequate sunlight. Lower leaves shed, leaving leaf scars along the stem. Flower only after plant is 4 years old, then the leaf rosette dies. Needs full sun all year, moderate water and feeding during active growth. Temperatures of 65° to 75º F. and 50º F. when inactive. Family: Crassulaceae

Crassula ovata (jade plant)

Native to South Africa, this popular houseplant takes on the look of a small tree as it grows to about 18 inches. The deep green leaves may tint red at the edges if grown in bright light. During active growth, plants need plentiful sunlight, moderate watering and a balanced, liquid feed every two to four weeks. Most common problem is overwatering; allow to dry out between waterings. Warm or cool positions are fine. In the winter, reduce watering to just avoid drying out, omit feeds and keep at 45º to 55º F. Family: Crassulaceae

Echeveria elegans (Mexican hens-and-chicks, Mexican snowball)

One of several plants referred to as hens-and-chicks, E. elegans produces numerous, smaller offshoots surrounding the parent plant. Unlike Sempervivum, the rosettes do not die and leave an unattractive space after flowering, so work better as a houseplant. Place in the brightest light. Allow to dry slightly between waterings and do not allow water to pool on the flower rosettes. Feed lightly, several times during the growing season. Family: Crassulaceae

Echeveria derenbergii (painted lady)

These small, pale-green, dense, basal rosettes grow only 4 inches tall, produce many offshoots and flower freely in the summer. Keep just barely moist, watering from below. Never let water pool in the leaf crown or it will rot. Remove dead leaves from the bottom of the rosette to avoid hidden infestations of insects. Provide the brightest light as echeverias are particularly prone to "stretch" with inadequate sunlight. Rest period temperatures of 55º to 60º F, reduced water and continued bright light. Family: Crassulaceae

Euphorbia obesa (baseball plant)

A rare succulent that does well in partial sun, this plant grows from spherical to a domed, eight inch, shape at maturity. The eight, gray-green leaves are highly textured. Give it morning sun and do not overwater (about once a week, with quarter strength, balanced plant food).  Only sparing water in winter and reduce temperture to around 55º F. Like other euphorbias, the sap is mildly toxic and may irritate skin. Family: Euphorbiaceae

Haworthia reinwardtii (zebra wart)

Among haworthias, H. reinwardtii is admired for its 8" columns of  tightly-clustered leaves speckled with white "warts". Haworthias are particularly easy to grow indoors, preferring a warm environment, bright indirect sunlight and moderate water, but tolerating lower light and unfaithful watering. Just do not overwater or let water sit in the plant's crown. Feeding will produce plants that outgrow their pots. In winter, reduce water to once every other month and lower temperature (but above 40ºF). Family: Asphodelaceae

Kalanchoe tomentosa (pussy ears, panda plant)

The loose rosettes of oval leaves are covered with fine, silver hairs, changing to rusty orange on some leaf edges. Tough stems can grow to 2 feet. Plants need a bright location and sparing water, watering deeply but infrequently to keep just moist. Feed with a weak, balanced fertilizer every three weeks while in growth. Typical household temperatures are fine, reducing to 50º F during the winter rest. Family: Crassulaceae

Lithops (living stones)

Lithops have smooth, paired leaves on almost no stem. All 300+ varieties of Lithops require excellent drainage and strong sun. Lithops flower in fall then rest before forming a new set of leaves to replace the old. The watering regime is critical: in spring and summer water only to keep from shriveling. When a bud appears, water deeply but infrequently to keep just turgid. Do not water after flowering and during emergence of new leaves or it will disrupt the process. Family: Aizoaceae

Sedum morganianum (burro's tail)

The trailing stems of gray-green leaves of this sedum can grow as long as three feet. It prefers a medium to strong light position and moderate water. Place it where it will not be bumped as the leaves fall off easily. Feed with a balanced fertilizer once per growing season. If brought outside in the summer, shelter from the strongest sunlight or it will burn. Family: Crassulaceae