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Putting succulent plants in the yard can help fill in spaces that might not be good for growing ornamentals that need a lot of care. Sunny spots with poor soil aren’t a problem for growing succulents as they are for many other plants. There are also several low-maintenance ornamentals that flourish in these conditions. Find them to use as companions with succulents.
Succulents are gaining popularity as low-maintenance houseplants and landscape plants Their sculptural shapes and textures make them great design elements. But can you incorporate succulents into plantings with other types of plants? Absolutely! Mixing succulents with complementary plants creates dynamite gardens
Benefits of Mixing Succulents with Other Plants
There are several advantages to combining succulents with other plants
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Adds visual interest – Mixing heights, shapes, colors and textures keeps the area from looking monotonous.
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Provides blooms – Many succulents don’t flower, so adding flowering plants gives seasonal color.
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Attracts pollinators – Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will visit for the nectar.
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Offers shade options – Some plants can provide afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch.
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Reduces maintenance – Companion plants help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil
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Improves growing conditions – The right plants improve the soil over time as they mature.
Companion Plants that Thrive with Succulents
Many plants share the same preferences for sun, well-drained soils, and minimal water as succulents. Here are top choices:
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses add movement and provide elegant shapes. Varieties like Muhly grass or Mexican feather grass work well with succulents.
Herbs
Herbs such as thyme, oregano, lavender and rosemary need limited water once established. They offer flowers, fragrance and culinary uses.
Low-Growing Perennials
Stonecrop, soapwort, blanket flower, yarrow and coreopsis are perennial flowers that spread nicely around succulents.
Shrubs
For height and structure, add shrubs like dwarf sage, rockrose, Texas ranger, blue mist spirea or dwarf oleander.
Annuals
Use annuals like zinnias, cosmos, California poppies, cosmos, and ornamental peppers to add pops of color.
Ground Covers
Low-growing perennials like sedum, ajuga, snow-in-summer, and creeping phlox make excellent ground covers with succulents.
Tips for Combining Succulents and Other Plants
Follow these tips for successfully incorporating succulents into plantings:
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Choose companions suited for the location. Match plants to the site’s sun exposure, soil type, and other factors.
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Mix heights and growth habits. Combine upright, mounding, and trailing plants for interest.
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Repeat some plants. Repeat certain companion plants throughout the area for unity.
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Add accent plants. Use plants with contrasting textures, colors or features to create focal points.
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Allow room to grow. Space plants appropriately to prevent overcrowding as they mature.
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Group similar needs. Cluster plants with similar water and maintenance needs in sections.
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Watch proportions. Don’t let companion plants overwhelm or hide the succulents.
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Consider contrasts. Juxtapose fine-leaved plants with broad-leaved ones for dramatic contrasts.
10 Great Companion Plant Combinations
Here are ten pleasing plant pairings that highlight the best qualities of succulents and other plants:
1. Sedum and Ornamental Grasses
The low carpet of sedum couples beautifully with upright grasses for great textural contrast.
2. Hens-and-Chicks and Creeping Thyme
Let the spreading thyme provide a fragrant backdrop to show off the rosettes of hens-and-chicks.
3. Agave and Blanket Flower
The soft daisy flowers of blanket flower complement the bold structural forms of agave.
4. Aloe and Yarrow
Yarrow’s flat-topped clusters of white flowers stand out against the spiky leaves of aloe.
5. Echeveria and Trailing Lantana
Lantana’s multicolored trailing flowers pop against a sea of echeveria leaves.
6. Barrel Cactus and Zinnias
The bold barrel cactus makes the perfect pedestal to display vibrant zinnias.
7. Jade Plant and Dwarf Sage
The rounded leaves of jade plant contrast nicely with the fine texture of dwarf sage.
8. Hens-and-Chicks and Creeping Phlox
Phlox’s bright spring blooms complement the subtle colors of hens-and-chicks.
9. Prickly Pear Cactus and Cosmos
The daisy-like cosmos flowers stand out against the flat paddles of prickly pear cactus.
10. Burro’s Tail and Sweet Alyssum
Let the draping succulent stems of burro’s tail hang above a carpet of sweet alyssum flowers.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Steer clear of these common errors when combining succulents with other plants:
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Don’t crowd plants. Allow enough space between plants for growth.
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Avoid pairing succulents with plants that need frequent watering. This leads to rot.
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Don’t put shade-lovers with sun-worshippers. Stick to compatible exposure needs.
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Prevent taller plants from shading out lower-growing succulents.
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Don’t combine spreading plants that will overtake succulents. Give them space.
The Last Word on Succulent Companion Planting
Creative companion planting brings out the best in succulents while reducing maintenance. Just be sure to pick the right plant partners to complement your succulents. Thoughtful plant pairings result in a beautiful succulent garden.
Planting Companions with Succulents
Companion planting is often used to add height above ground hugging succulent plants. Drought tolerant flowering plants such as the osteospermum are good candidates. The flowers on this daisy can stand straight up or trail along your succulents, just like the flowers on the perennial Santa Barbara daisy. Allow them to trail among taller succulents like aloe and agave.
Ornamental grasses, often with autumn blooms and interest through winter, are appropriate companion plants for succulents. Numerous varieties exist that have similar maintenance requirements as many succulent plants. Ornamental grasses may be grown to provide afternoon shade if they’re properly located.
While many succulents prefer all day sunshine, afternoon shade can sometimes keep leaves from getting sunburned. Check your succulent type info to learn if they benefit from shade providing ornamentals. Blue fescue grass is shorter but might provide an attractive companion to your succulents.
Yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary are great flowering herbs to grow alongside your succulent beds. These herbs take the same conditions as most ground planted succulents. Depending on your layout, plant these herbs at the back of the bed or surround it with them. If the bed is open on all sides, grow them in the middle.
Sometimes shrubs or large bushy plants are appropriate to include when planting with succulents. Blue mist spirea is one type that can handle drought and needs as much or a little more sun than succulents. This shrub needs well-draining soil, as do the succulents. Soil does not have to be rich or fertile. Watering is also rarely required.
Some types of Euphorbias can also grow as small shrubs or trees in these conditions, which look good with nearby succulents. Rockrose is a bigger shrub that grows well in these conditions. Grow these in soil that is a sandy loam.
SUCCULENT BEGINNER TIPS: WHY POT SIZE AND POT MATERIAL ARE IMPORTANT IN GROWING SUCCULENTS
FAQ
What plant goes well with succulents?
Do succulents like to be crowded?
Can you mix succulents with perennials?
Is it better to plant succulents together or separate?
How to plant succulents together?
Care requirements and growth period are the most important things when planting succulents together. If all succulents in an arrangement have the same care requirements and grow during the same season they will work together very well.
What plants can I plant with succulents?
Sometimes shrubs or large bushy plants are appropriate to include when planting with succulents. Those that are drought tolerant and need the same or a little more sunshine than the succulent plants include blue mist spirea. This shrub needs well-draining soil, as do the succulents. Soil does not have to be rich or fertile.
How to design a succulent garden?
You should not limit yourself to the succulent world when designing a succulent garden. A wide range of companion plants will bring out the best qualities of your succulents and share their space with a serene balance. These companion plants will provide contrast and add interest.
How do I choose a succulent?
Or you may just prefer plants of similar heights. Texture – again, this is down to personal preference, but you may consider that a succulent, such as an aloe with thick, upright leaves, might look out of place next to the delicate foliage of other plants.
How do I create a multiple succulent arrangement?
Combining plants with similar growing seasons is probably one of the most important considerations when creating a multiple succulent arrangement. Winter-dormant plants will require very little, if any, water during winter and frequent watering during spring and summer. Summer-dormant plants will want the exact opposite.
Can you combine succulents of different heights?
If you are considering combining succulents of different heights, consider that a tall succulent can have a negative impact on a neighboring shorter succulent by creating shade and blocking sunlight. In this instance, simply rotating the pot so the taller plant is further from the window may solve the problem.