Some succulents can live outside all year if you live in a climate with four seasons, especially one with harsh winters. Most, though, won’t be able to.
However, there is a group of beautiful plants that can survive in cold weather that are rarely seen. Many people don’t even know they exist, let alone that there are so many of them!
Succulents and Sunshine is reader supported. If you buy something through a link on our site, like Mountain Crest Gardens, Amazon, or Etsy, we may get paid a small fee. We only promote products we use and trust.
If you want to keep your beautiful succulent garden outside all year, even if it gets very cold for most of the winter, Sempervivums, some Sedums, and their hardy Opuntia relatives are all great choices. Sempervivum varieties.
At the beginning of my succulent adventures I was living in Utah, in a Zone 5 climate. I was mostly growing succulents indoors because I wasnt aware there were succulents that could tolerate snow.
Fortunately I was introduced to Mountain Crest Gardens, and my succulent garden was dramatically changed, and improved. Mountain Crest Gardens is the largest supplier (to my knowledge) of cold hardy succulent varieties.
In fact, their nursery is in a mountain valley in northern California, close to Mount Shasta. It snows there all winter. They have the most beautiful collection of cold hardy succulents you’ll see.
The great thing about these Sempervivums, Sedums, and Opuntia (also known as “Prickly Pear cactus”) is that they can also survive in warmer places!
Sempervivums grow in perfect rosettes and are much tougher than other rosette succulents like Echeverias. If you don’t know what these plants look like, As well as beautiful color combinations, there are also beautiful color combinations of greens, yellows, and blues. You really get the whole rainbow!.
Senecio plants can handle cold weather and grow as ground covers. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. These plants look great with Sempervivums, and some of them will trail over the edges of your succulent pots in a nice way.
The cold-hardy Opuntia have really caught my attention. I was able to visit Waterwise Botanical Gardens in Escondido, California, a few years ago when they first put out a line of cold-hard Opuntias. On the outside, they look like any other “Prickly Pear” cactus, but in the spring, they bloom with the most beautiful succulent flowers you’ll ever see.
One of my absolute favorites was Opuntia “Pina Colada,” which has a flower that actually changes colors. One day it’s a pink-orange color, the next it’s a yellow color with pink and orange stripes down the middle.
The great news is that Mountain Crest Gardens and Waterwise Botanicals have joined forces to sell these hardy Opuntias on Mountain Crest Gardens’ website.
If you live in a place with four seasons, you should definitely think about getting these amazing succulents. I think it will be very rewarding to see some color and life in the middle of winter. And theres nothing quite like seeing those Opuntias bloom at the beginning of spring!.
It’s amazing how these tough plants come back with bright, beautiful colors after being covered in inches or feet of snow all winter. Succulents never cease to amaze me!.
As I already said, not all succulents can handle freezing temperatures. In fact, some won’t even last two or three nights with a frost. This “tender” or “soft” group includes most of the common types of succulents you’ve seen or heard of.
You won’t be able to keep succulents like Echeverias, Aeoniums, Haworthias, most aloes, and many others outside when it snows and ices in the winter.
You can cover them with a frost cloth or another blanket if it only freezes for one or two nights, but this won’t work in the long term.
You can look up what growing zone youre in to determine what succulents will work for you outside. Once you know where you can grow plants, check the plant tags to see what temperatures your succulents can handle.
Check out our post about how to take care of succulents in the winter for more information.
Succulents are beloved for their unique shapes textures and colors. And while they originate from warm, arid regions, some succulents can actually tolerate frosty conditions with proper care. So can succulents survive winter outdoors even in cold climates?
The short answer is yes, certain hardy succulent varieties can endure freezing winter temps if given the right protections. Learn which succulents have the best cold tolerance, tips to help them thrive through winter, and how to transition plants in and out of outdoor conditions.
Do Succulents Need to Be Brought Indoors for Winter?
Many common succulents like echeveria, aeonium, and crassula thrive outdoors during the warm seasons but need to be overwintered indoors once temps dip below freezing. Tropical succulents accustomed to balmy conditions are especially vulnerable.
If these cold-sensitive plants remain outside through winter, the frost will damage or kill them Be sure to bring delicate succulents inside before the first hard freeze in fall
But there are also hardy succulents that can tough it out through snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. These cold-tolerant varieties can stay in the garden year-round without winter protection in some climates.
Hardy Succulents for Winter Gardens
Here are some of the best cold hardy succulents to grow for full-season interest:
Sempervivum
Commonly called hen and chicks, sempervivum form rosettes that close up tightly in winter cold. Cultivars like ‘Red Lion’ and ‘Cobweb’ can handle temps down to -30°F.
Sedum
Also known as stonecrop, sedum varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ and ‘Angelina’ can withstand freezing and even thrive in winter with gorgeous red fall color.
Opuntia
Prickly pear and cholla cacti are extremely tough plants. Some opuntia can survive heavy snow and temperatures below -20°F when mature.
Sempervivum Arachnoideum
The cobweb houseleek has fine hairs on its compact rosettes that give it a webbed appearance. It stays evergreen through winter even in zone 5.
Sedum Album
This upright stonecrop has thick blue-green leaves that turn red in winter. It’s cold hardy into zone 3.
Opuntia Humifusa
A type of prickly pear cactus that can handle cold to -30°F when established. It spreads readily.
Sempervivum Calcareum
Houseleeks form mats of symmetrical rosettes. This variety keeps its color and stays compact despite harsh winter weather.
Sedum Spurium
A fast-spreading stonecrop that grows just a few inches tall. It will die back and return in spring after extreme cold.
Opuntia Polyacantha
Also called plains prickly pear, this cactus can grow over 3 feet wide. Mature plants are unfazed by harsh winters.
Preparing Succulents for Winter Outdoors
To help hardy succulents survive winter, take a few steps to prep them in fall:
-
Gradually expose plants to cooler temps, rain, and wind (called hardening off) before leaving outside for winter.
-
Stop fertilizing 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost so growth can slow.
-
Remove weeds, dead leaves, and debris to prevent diseases.
-
Check that containers have drainage holes so ice won’t pool and cause rot.
-
Consider covering the ground with mulch, gravel, or stakes around low-growing succulents to mark their spot when buried under snow.
Caring for Succulents Outdoors in Winter
Even cold-tolerant succulents need a bit of care through the dormant season:
-
Water minimally, just every 2-3 weeks if rainfall is lacking. Avoid overwatering.
-
Shake off heavy snow before it compresses or damages plants.
-
Use frost cloth to insulate container-grown succulents during extreme cold.
-
Cut back on watering from fall to winter, allowing soil to dry out between waterings.
-
Check for any signs of damaged roots or crown rot after hard freezes. Remove damaged tissue and re-pot if needed in spring.
-
Apply balanced diluted fertilizer early in spring as new growth emerges.
-
Keep mulch away from crowns to prevent rot.
Ideal Winter Conditions for Hardy Succulents
The right winter climate helps hardy succulents thrive year-round outdoors. Ideal conditions include:
-
Consistent cold temps rather than frequent freeze/thaw cycles
-
Dry weather with low precipitation and good drainage
-
Full sun exposure which helps plants stay compact and colorful
-
Protection from intense wind which can damage frozen leaves
-
Insulating snow cover rather than bare frost on plants
-
Minimal fertilizer and watering which prevents tender new growth
Transitioning Succulents In and Out of Winter Conditions
When moving any succulents into a new environment, it’s important to transition them slowly:
To Bring Plants Outside in Spring:
-
Start hardening off in early spring by placing containers outdoors for just an hour or two on warm days.
-
Gradually increase the time spent outside over 2-3 weeks.
-
Monitor for any signs of sun or temperature stress.
-
Transplant into the garden after the last frost once night temps stay above freezing.
To Bring Plants Inside in Fall:
-
Start bringing plants in when night temps near 40°F.
-
Cut back on watering over a period of weeks to mimic drier indoor conditions.
-
Check for pests before bringing inside. Treat if needed.
-
Place in the brightest location possible indoors. Consider grow lights if insufficient natural light.
Signs of Cold Damage in Succulents
Even when properly hardened off and cared for, succulents can show some signs of frost damage after harsh winters. Look for:
-
Dark or mushy leaves, stems, and crowns
-
Discolored or dropping leaves
-
Shriveled or dried out appearance
-
Slow growth in spring
If the crown and roots remain healthy, remove damaged tissue and keep watering minimal until new growth emerges. Discard any plants that fail to revive in spring.
Final Tips for Growing Succulents Through Winter
With the right varieties and conditions, succulents can add color and structure to gardens year-round. Choose native, cold-tolerant plants and avoid tropical varieties. Provide winter protections like frost cloth for container plants.
Allow hardy succulents to remain outdoors through winter dormancy. And make sure to transition all succulents gradually when moving into new environments. With a little preparation, your succulents can survive and even thrive through the winter cold!
Can succulents stay outside during winter? | Succulents in Seconds
FAQ
Can I leave my succulents outside in the winter?
What temperature is too cold for succulents outside?
What succulents can survive winter outside?
Do succulents come back after a freeze?
Can succulents survive snow?
After all they’re known for loving sunlight and not the opposite, however there are still species of succulents that do well in snow weather. Sempervivum, Hardy Sedum and Hardy Opuntia are three of the most cold hardy genus that can survive freezing winter up to -30F. Some other succulents, like Agave or Rosularia also have great cold tolerance.
What succulents can you grow outside in the winter?
This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy. Sempervivums, some Sedums, and their cold hardy Opuntia cousins are all great options for maintaining a gorgeous succulent garden outdoors year-round, even if your climate gets well below freezing for most of the winter months.
Are succulents cold hardy?
This list of cold hardy succulents includes plants that can take cold temperatures that would kill their more tender cousins. There are three main varieties of succulents that can thrive in freezing temperatures – sempervivums, sedum stonecrop, and delosperma.
Can succulents survive freezing temperatures?
There are three main varieties of succulents that can thrive in freezing temperatures – sempervivums, sedum stonecrop, and delosperma. Most types of these varieties will tolerate temperatures as low as -20° Fahrenheit (some even to -30°).
Do succulents need a lot of water in winter?
Neglecting to protect them from cold temperatures is a big no-no. Remember, keeping them outside when it’s frosty can lead to a plant disaster. Overwatering is another classic mistake. When winter hits, succulents need less water. I know it’s tempting to water them like usual, but in cold weather, they can suffer from too much moisture.
Can succulents grow outside all year round?
If you live in a climate with 4 seasons, especially one with harsh winters, there are some succulents that will grow outdoors year round for you, though most will not. Each succulent has different temperature needs, though most won’t tolerate long term freezing temperatures.