“Succulent” describes a habit, not a family. NC State places echeveria, jade, sedum and kalanchoe in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), and aloe, haworthia and gasteria in the Asphodelaceae. String of pearls and string of hearts come from other families again. They share fleshy, water-storing leaves or stems. They do not share the same light needs.
Light is usually the limit indoors. Iowa State Extension says most succulents need ten or more hours of bright, indirect light, and some manage on six to eight. Without enough, plants become lanky and pale. Start with the window you have, then pick from the matching group below.
10 indoor succulents at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension and Iowa State Extension. Sizes are NC State’s ranges unless noted.
| Succulent | Form | Size | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echeveria | Tight rosette of thick leaves | 3–30 cm (1–12 in) | Full sun; sunny windowsill | Colour improves in sun |
| Crassula ovata (jade plant) | Branching, tree-like shrub | 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft) | Sun, with some afternoon shade | Dwarf cultivars such as ‘Minima’ |
| Sedum (incl. burro’s tail) | Mats, mounds or trailing stems | Burro’s tail trails to 61 cm (24 in) | Bright direct light | Leaves drop easily, and root |
| Aloe | Rosette of toothed leaves | Small to tree-sized | At least 6 hours of sun | See our aloe types guide |
| Haworthia | Small rosettes, often with leaf “windows” | 5–30 cm (2–12 in) | Bright indirect; tolerates lower | Popular with beginners |
| Haworthiopsis (zebra plant) | Stiff rosettes with white bands | 10–30 cm (4–12 in) | Bright indirect | Formerly Haworthia |
| Gasteria | Tongue-like speckled leaves | About 15 cm (6 in) in a pot | Bright; tolerates some shade | Slow-growing |
| Dracaena trifasciata (snake plant) | Upright sword leaves | Leaves to 1.2 m (4 ft) | 2–6 hours of direct sun; tolerates very low light | Formerly Sansevieria |
| Kalanchoe blossfeldiana | Bushy, flowering | 15–46 cm (6–18 in) | Bright indirect; shade from afternoon sun | Needs long nights to rebloom |
| Curio and Ceropegia | Trailing strings | Stems trail about 0.9 m (3 ft) | Bright indirect | Best in hanging pots |
For a sunny window: Echeveria, jade, Sedum and Aloe
Echeveria
NC State describes nearly 200 species and many hybrids, forming tight rosettes of thick leaves in grey, sea green or blue-green. They are easily grown on a bright, sunny windowsill, and leaf colour improves with sun. Cultivars include ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ (greyish leaves with purplish-pink tones) and ‘Lola’ (grey-white leaves with pink tips). Remove withered lower leaves, which NC State notes can harbour disease.
Our guides cover echeveria light needs, echeveria root rot and mould on echeveria.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
NC State describes a South African succulent shrub that matures into a miniature tree, with thick, shiny oval leaves. It needs a sunny spot with some afternoon shade, average to cool temperatures, and less water from autumn to late winter. Compact cultivars include ‘Minima’ (dwarf), ‘Hobbit’ (inward-curling leaves) and ‘Gollum’ (tubular leaves).
See the jade plant care guide, jade light requirements and jade plant edema.
Sedum and burro’s tail
NC State says sedums grow easily indoors with bright direct light from a window or grow light, in a coarse cactus mix. The leaves fall off easily, but fallen leaves can start new plants. Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) trails to 61 cm (24 in) with blue-green leaves. NC State recommends a windowsill with at least partial sun and a shallow pot.
Aloe
NC State says most aloes need at least 6 hours of sun, in a south or west window. Aloes range from small rosettes to tree forms. Our aloe types guide compares eight of them. If an aloe vera stretches and leans, see aloe vera etiolation.
For bright, indirect light: Haworthia, Gasteria, snake plant and Kalanchoe
Haworthia and Haworthiopsis
NC State describes Haworthia as small South African rosettes, popular with beginners for terrariums, dish gardens and desks. They are somewhat tolerant of low light but colour best in bright light. In 2013–2014 many species moved to Haworthiopsis. Haworthia leaves have translucent “windows” at the tips. Haworthiopsis leaves are opaque, with raised white spots or bands.
The two zebra plants are often confused. NC State says H. attenuata is bumpy on both leaf surfaces, while H. fasciata is smooth on the upper surface. Both prefer 16–27 °C (60–80 °F); keep H. attenuata above 10 °C (50 °F).
Gasteria
NC State says Gasteria is a small, slow-growing South African succulent that, unlike many succulents, tolerates some shade. Indoors, give it bright light and let the mix dry between waterings. In a pot it usually stays about 15 cm (6 in) tall. Iowa State lists ox tongue (Gasteria ‘Flow’) among succulents for indoors.
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
NC State lists the snake plant under Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata. It suggests direct sun for 2–6 hours a day, though the plant tolerates very low light. Water when the soil is dry from spring to autumn, and only every one to two months in winter. Overwatering rots the roots. Compare cultivars in snake plant varieties.
Kalanchoe
The florist kalanchoe (K. blossfeldiana) is a flowering succulent from Madagascar. NC State recommends bright, indirect light or partial shade, since prolonged direct sun can scorch the leaves. To flower again, it needs 6–8 hours of bright light a day, then 14 hours of total darkness for at least 6 weeks in autumn and winter. See kalanchoe varieties and kalanchoe overwatering.
Trailing succulents: Curio and Ceropegia
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus, formerly Senecio rowleyanus) has pea-shaped leaves on trailing stems. NC State recommends bright, indirect light indoors and says never to let it dry out completely. It also notes the plants tend to die back after several years, so restart them from cuttings.
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) has heart-shaped, silver-marbled leaves on wiry stems that hang about 0.9 m (3 ft). NC State says to let it dry out completely between waterings, and to water even less in winter. Read string of hearts soak and dry, string of hearts propagation and string of pearls mealybugs.
Care that applies to most indoor succulents
From Iowa State Extension:
- Water: water until it drains, then let the soil dry completely. Every 2–3 weeks is typical, depending on soil, light, humidity and pot. Overwatering causes yellowing, soft stems or collapse.
- Mix: about one part organic material (potting soil, pine bark, compost or coir) to two parts mineral material (perlite, coarse sand, pumice or fine gravel). A cactus and succulent mix also works.
- Pots: drainage holes are essential. Clay or terracotta and small, shallow pots dry faster.
- Temperature: 13–24 °C (55–75 °F), with cooler nights. Some tolerate 7–29 °C (45–85 °F).
- Feeding: a general fertilizer at half to a quarter strength every 3–4 waterings in spring and summer. Do not feed in winter.
For a full routine, see the succulent care bible.
Pets
The ASPCA lists hens and chickens (Echeveria elegans), Haworthia species and burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) as non-toxic to dogs and cats. It lists these as toxic to dogs and cats:
- Jade plant: vomiting, depression and incoordination.
- Snake plant: saponins causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Kalanchoe: bufadienolides causing vomiting, diarrhea and, rarely, abnormal heart rhythm.
- Aloe: saponins and anthraquinones.
NC State lists string of pearls as toxic to people and pets, with vomiting and diarrhea if eaten. We did not find ASPCA entries for Gasteria or Ceropegia.
References
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, A. Steil (reviewed 2024): Growing Succulents Indoors
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Echeveria, Crassula ovata, Sedum, Sedum morganianum, Aloe, Haworthia, Haworthiopsis attenuata, Haworthiopsis fasciata, Gasteria gracilis, Dracaena trifasciata, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Curio rowleyanus, Ceropegia woodii
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Hens and Chickens, Haworthia, Burro’s Tail, Jade Plant, Snake Plant, Kalanchoe, Aloe