Cacti and Succulents

Sempervivum arachnoideum

Cobweb houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum) Zones: 5 to 8 Size: 3 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide Conditions: Full sun to partial shade This cold-hardy succulent is one of the cutest small rosettes. It stands up to winter cold because it originates in the high mountains of Europe, where plants thrive in decomposing granite pockets on sun-drenched cliffs. Cobweb houseleek is named for the spiderlike appearance created when stems arch outward from between the leaves to bear offsets. These offsets are easy to sever and root into new plants. If you want to try this one, provide it with good drainage.

Euphorbia milii

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) A popular import from Madagascar, crown of thorns can bloom year-round if given enough light. Long, spoon-shape leaves appear at the ends of spiky branches, along with clusters of tiny flowers. You might not notice the flowers because they're so small, but you will see the red, salmon, or yellow bracts that surround them. When the plant is in bloom, allow only the top inch or so of soil to dry out between watering. When the plant is not blooming, be sure the top half of the pot's soil is dry before watering. Don't let the entire pot dry out, however, or the plant will drop its leaves. If your plant dries out and loses its leaves, it will grow new ones in a few weeks after you begin watering. Direct sun produces the best bloom, but crown of thorns adapts to medium light. Fertilize three times in summer using a bloom-booster fertilizer of 10-30-10. All euphorbia contain a skin-irritating sap. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling.

Kalanchoe tomentosa

Panda Plant - native of Madagascar. There are dozens of kinds of Kalanchoe plants, but the panda plant is among the most common. There are dozens of kinds of Kalanchoe plants, but the panda plant is among the most common. A native of Madagascar, panda plant is grown strictly for its foliage. (Grow K. blossfeldiana if you want flowers.) Thick green leaves are covered with soft silver hairs, giving the plant a fuzzy, blue-gray appearance. The edges of the leaves are tipped with brown or rust-color hairs. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering. During dormancy in winter, water only enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Grow in medium to bright filtered light. Fertilize three times in summer with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Although it can be pruned, panda plant seldom needs grooming except to remove any wayward stems.

Mammillaria

Pincushion Cactus - Be careful: The spines look delicate but have hooked ends that are difficult to pull out of skin. Pincushions form a group of about 200 species of ball-shape cacti that are among the most common cacti grown in the home. Most hail from Mexico, where they grow in full sun. Pincushion cacti can remain small and may take the form of single balls or clumps, often flowering indoors. Be careful: The spines look delicate but have hooked ends that are difficult to pull out of skin. To grow a pincushion cactus, provide the highest light possible. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between watering, and withhold water entirely in the winter to give it a cool, dormant period needed for flowering. Fertilize three times in summer only, using a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer.

Beaucarnea recurvata

Ponytail palms (Beaucarnea recurvata) aren't really palm trees, but they do look a bit like them thanks to their long, woody-looking trunk and tuft of leathery leaves at the top. They grow slowly but can reach tree-like proportions of 12-20 feet, though indoors they top out around four feet. Although ponytail palm doesn't look much like a succulent, the swollen, bulbous base of the trunk stores water and gives the plant its other common name: Elephant foot. Whatever you call it, it's very adaptable to life as a houseplant, but does best with bright light, warmer temperatures, and low humidity. It's the perfect houseplant for a neglectful gardener because it doesn't need much water, especially in winter when it isn't actively growing.

Sansevieria trifasciata

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) This succulent can take a beating. Stories abound about forgotten, dead-looking snake plants coming back to life upon watering. Long, pointed leaves grow with patterned markings reminiscent of a snake. You can leave this plant in a pot for many years, allowing the rhizomes to multiply into a thick clump. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Over-watering causes leaf and crown rot. It tolerates low light but performs best with medium or high light. It doesn't need fertilizer, but if you insist you can apply 10-10-10 once a year. Snake plant tolerates neglect but thrives on attention. Prune out any damaged leaves so the overall plant looks better.

Aloe humilis

Spider aloe (Aloe humilis) Zones: 9 to 11 Size: 4 to 5 inches tall and wide Conditions: Light shade Fat and stubby, this cute little aloe blooms just as spectacularly as its larger African relatives. In spring, a foot-long spike emerges, topped with tubular, coral red blooms that hummingbirds find irresistible. This hand-size plant is ideal for low, wide bonsai pots. Its toothy leaves are thick and stiff, so its precise form is maintained at all times without flopping. Pairing several spider aloes with smooth river stones makes a beautiful little grouping.

Schlumbergera

TYPE: Houseplant HEIGHT: 6 to 12 inches WIDTH: 6-18 inches wide FLOWER COLOR: Orange, Pink, Red, White SEASONAL FEATURES: Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Winter Bloom PROBLEM SOLVERS: Drought Tolerant SPECIAL FEATURES: Low Maintenance Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) To grow, allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering. Keep it drier in the winter. When the plant is in bud, pay close attention, because even slight dehydration or over-watering may cause buds to drop. Provide medium to high light, and fertilize three times in summer using a 10-30-10 fertilizer to promote blooms. To initiate flower bud formation in the fall, drop the indoor temperature to 55 degrees F. Or move your plants outdoors to a shaded spot in summer and leave them out as temperatures fall. Move them indoors before the temperature reaches 45 degrees F. To prune, pinch off stem segments where necessary to keep the plant stubby.

Euphorbia trigona

While African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona) is capable of towering to nine feet tall, it isn't actually a tree. As a houseplant, this succulent reaches up to three feet tall, producing upright, triangular, branched stems lined with short but sharp thorns. The tips of the green stems also have small leaves with a reddish tinge. African milk tree is related to the poinsettia, so it produces a milky, sticky sap that can irritate your skin if you don't wash it off. Plenty of light and evenly moist soil is the key to keeping it healthy.

Haworthia attenuata

Zebra haworthia (Haworthia attenuata) Zone: 11 Size: 2 to 4 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches wide Conditions: Full sun to filtered shade Rub your finger along the leaves of this crocodile of a succulent to feel the unique hard warts that pock the surface. Though small, zebra haworthia's hard, leathery surface makes it downright hard to kill—except with excess water or frost. This plant is a favorite for shallow bowls or bonsai pots, where it offsets freely, soon filling up the pot. It blooms on long piano-wire stalks with small, simple white flowers.

Haworthia fasciata

Zebra haworthia's (Haworthia fasciata) striking stripes and spiky foliage might make it look like a rare and exotic plant, but it's often available at garden centers and is very easy-going when it comes to growing it. Set this succulent near a window where it'll get a few hours of bright, indirect light every day, and let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Zebra haworthia is also a good choice for terrariums or growing alongside other succulents because it will stay small, maxing out at about five inches tall.

Crassula ovata

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) The jade plant is an old-fashioned favorite for a reason: It's so easy to grow! This long-lived South African native grows thick stems and thick, glossy green leaves tinged with red. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering. Although some gardeners water jade only when the leaves begin to pucker or lose their shine, these are signs the plant is already stressed, so it may begin to drop leaves. Jades are most commonly killed by over-watering. A plant may adopt a weeping form if chronically over-watered. Fertilize three times in summer only with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Keep jade plants potted in Terra-cotta for good air movement through the soil and to help balance a top-heavy plant. Re-potting is seldom necessary because of the small root system, but if you do re-pot, use a mix for cactus or well-draining potting soil. Prune jade as necessary to keep it symmetrical, so one side doesn't cause the entire pot to topple. Simply cut off a branch or leaf, and plant it to create new plants. Rooting new plants around the base of a plant creates the look of a shrubby thicket. For an architectural look, some gardeners pinch all the leaves along the thick stems, leaving only the leaves at the top.

Aloe vera

Medicine Plant - Keep it in direct sunlight or the greatest amount of light possible... leaf margins can cut an unsuspecting passerby, so place it where it can't be brushed accidentally. Medicine Plant (Aloe vera) The healing sap of this familiar medicinal plant has been used for centuries to treat wounds and sunburn. However, the sharp "teeth" along the leaf margins can cut an unsuspecting passerby, so place it where it can't be brushed accidentally. Allow the soil to dry out between soakings. Don't let the plant stand in water. Keep it in direct sunlight or the greatest amount of light possible. Fertilize three times in summer with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer; avoid fertilizing in winter. You don't need to re-pot unless the roots are obviously pushing their way out of a pot. If so, use a potting mix designed for cactus.

Euphorbia tirucalli

Name: Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli 'Rosea') Zones: 9 to 11 Size: 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide Conditions: Full sun The pencil tree has been around forever, but Firesticks, the red form of the species, is a great design tool for its fine texture and vivid winter hues. The color is the result of reduced chlorophyll, which stunts growth and keeps this succulent small.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

Name: Paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) Size: 1 foot tall and wide Conditions: Bright shade Paddle plant is the most popular modern succulent due to its whimsical form and intense winter color. Its leaves are flat, like pancakes, layered into an odd rosette. This plant bolts when it blooms, with the center stem elongating into a gangly white stalk. Those sold in nurseries are youngsters raised to maximum size for immediate use, but they do not last more than a year before bolting, which spoils their looks. Once paddle plant flowers, cut off the stem and give the remnant of the plant good care. It will soon produce many new offsets that can be plucked off and rooted. Select an area with plenty of sunlight and light, sandy soil. Use cactus mix to amend the soil if it's too heavy. ... Water kalanchoe when the soil feels dry, but avoid wetting the leaves. ... Trim off any dead or wilting flowers at their stems. ... Fertilize kalanchoe during periods of new growth.

Aeonium arboreum

Name: Tree aeonium (Aeonium arboreum and cvs.) USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11 Size: 6 to 24 inches tall and wide Conditions: Full sun to light shade If a zinnia were a succulent, it would be a tree aeonium. This species features two of the hottest varieties in the modern succulent world. Deep burgundy to black 'Zwartkop' (pictured) is a powerful contrast against light green or yellow plants. 'Sunburst' has large cream-colored variegated leaves that can take on pink highlights. Over time, tree aeonium develops a thick trunk and may branch into sizable subshrubs that produce foot-long, cone-shaped stems of vivid yellow flowers.

Senecio mandraliscae

Blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae) Zones: 10 to 11 Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun No succulent rivals this one for true blue coloring. It's favored for mixed-succulent bowls, where it pops against yellow succulents. Blue chalk sticks can be shrubby or low spreading depending on the form you buy and whether you shape it. Leaves are pencil thin and upright, creating a spiky, fine-textured mass. This is an exceptional choice for unusual form in windowsill gardens.

Sedum morganianum

Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum) Burro's tail is shown to its best advantage planted in a hanging basket. Overlapping, gray-green or gray-blue leaves grow up to 3 feet long. A native of Mexico, it prefers medium to high light for best performance. Succulent Growing Tip: Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering, and keep soil on the dry side during winter dormancy. Fertilize once in summer with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Although burro's tail rarely blooms, pink or red flowers may appear at the end of the stems in summer. The leaves fall off with even a light touch, so keep burro's tail where it won't be disturbed. If you move a houseplant outside for summer, keep it in a shaded location. Even though burro's tail likes bright light, sudden exposure to direct sunlight may cause sunburn.

Sempervivum tectorum

Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans) Two succulent plants share the common name of hens-and-chicks. They're closely related but look different. Both produce "chicks" -- small, identical plants that are slightly offset from the mother (the hen). Echeveria elegans forms flat, flower-like rosettes with rounded edges. Sempervivum tectorum also forms in rosettes, but each leaf tends to be flatter and more pointed. The flowering patterns are different. Echeveria grows arching, smooth, bell-shape blooms every year. Individual Sempervivum grows pink star-shape flowers on plants that die after flowering. Usually by this time the plant has produced so many offsets that the loss is not great. After all, the Latin translation of sempervivum means "ever living." When grown as houseplants, the two perform the same way. Both should be allowed to dry slightly between watering, as over-watering causes rotting. Water very little during winter dormancy. Fertilize three times in summer with 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer. Propagate by removing offsets and potting them. Although they look tough, they can easily be scarred if water touches the foliage or if bumped.

Echeveria elegans

Hens-and-Chicks - Echeveria elegans forms flat, flower-like rosettes with rounded edges. Echeveria and Sempervivum have similar needs when they're grown as houseplants. Both should be allowed to dry slightly between watering because constant moisture often causes their stems and roots to rot. They'll do best in bright light near a window. You can easily propagate these succulents by removing the chicks and moving them to their own container, but make sure to use a sandy potting mix that drains well.

Agave victoriae-reginae

Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae) Zones: 9 to 11 Size: 1 foot tall and wide Conditions: Full morning sun A mature specimen of the small Queen Victoria agave can cost as much as a thousand dollars. But like all members of the Agave genus, it blooms just once at the end of its life (so you'll most likely never see a bloom). Slow growth and exquisite beauty make this a prime single specimen. A mature plant is roughly the size of a volleyball and is rock hard, while the leaves are edged in white lines, which lend unique graphic quality to the plant.