Succulents are some of the most commonly owned houseplants because they’re generally resilient and low-maintenance. Succulents are extremely versatile. Many succulents can grow in low light conditions, or in rooms with plenty of bright light. They are perfect for beginners due to their tolerance of neglect.
If you are new to houseplants or think you have a “black thumb” because plants don’t do well in your care, a succulent might be the perfect plant for you! If you live in a warm enough area, some types of succulents can also do well outside!
We’ve hand picked a comprehensive list of different succulents that make perfect houseplant companions. You can read about and see pictures of some of our favorite succulents in this article. Let’s jump in!.
Afrikaans succulents are adorable plants with broad but flat leaves that grow upward and bend over slightly. In the center, a medium-sized flower will bloom during particular times of the year. The flower is typically white or yellow.
The leaves also sometimes grow up and then split out, making a sort of peace sign. It enjoys full sun but will grow okay in partial shade. But the Afrikaans succulent needs very little water and can easily drown if it gets too wet. So keep it dry.
People know agave plants because their syrup is used in cocktails and many recipes instead of sugar. Agave plants love the heat, so keep them in a warm and sunny spot where they’ll thrive.
They have pointed leaves, so be careful not to stab yourself when admiring them. The leaves form large and symmetrical rosettes that offer a lovely and bold appearance.
With over 60 plant families and thousands of species, the diverse world of succulents can seem overwhelming for new collectors. If you’ve acquired a new succulent without its name or you’re inheriting an unidentified plant, it can be tricky to determine exactly what kind of succulent you have.
Luckily, there are some simple techniques you can use to sleuth out the identity of an unknown succulent. Here’s a beginner’s guide to succulent identification, plus tips for narrowing down key characteristics to pinpoint your mystery plant.
Examining Basic Physical Attributes
Start your identification process by looking closely at the physical characteristics of the entire succulent including
-
Overall shape and form – Is the succulent round and compact or does it have elongated leaves? What is the basic silhouette or architecture?
-
Leaf shape – Are the leaves spiky round, teardrop-shaped or something else? What about the leaf edges – are they smooth serrated or frilly?
-
Leaf texture – Feel the leaves. Are they thick and waxy or more thin and flexible? Note any hairs, bumps or ridges.
-
Stem shape– Are stems round, triangular, flattened? Do they have thorns or tufts of leaves?
-
Color – What colors do you see on the leaves, stems and flowers, if present? Note variegation or contrasting edges.
-
Size & growth habit – How tall and wide is the plant? What is the growth pattern like?
Looking for Other Distinguishing Features
See if your succulent has any of these unique identifying markers:
- Windowed leaves like Haworthia
- White waxy bloom on leaves like Echeveria
- Pearl-like tubercles on stems of certain cacti
- Spines, thorns or fuzzy hairs
- Offsets or chicks sprouting from the base
- Flower spikes, clusters or rosettes
Narrowing Down the Suspects
Once you have a thorough description, you can start narrowing down what type of succulent you likely have. Here are some tips:
-
Consider known growth habits – does this seem more like a rosette-forming Echeveria or a vertical, branching Senecio?
-
Match features like leaf windows or fuzzy leaves to known genera – these traits are often unique to certain groups.
-
If flowering, note the flower structure, shape and color for clues to family.
-
Reference size – is it more shrub-like or a low carpet or trailing form?
-
Think about visual texture – for example, Agave leaves tend to be more rigid and spiky while Sedums are generally soft and squishy.
Using Online Tools and Resources
For further help identifying your mystery succulent, turn to these useful online aides:
-
Photo identification apps – Apps like PlantSnap allow you to upload a photo of your succulent and use AI to generate possible matches. Double check any IDs against other sources.
-
Online databases – Large compendiums like Word of Succulents or Succulent Guide allow you to browse visually by characteristics to find lookalike plants.
-
Social media groups – Post clear, high-quality photos of your plant on Facebook groups or Reddit forums like r/succulents to crowdsource IDs from experienced succulent growers.
-
YouTube channels – Watch succulent care videos and see if any showcase plants that look identical to yours. The host may mention the name.
-
Reference books – Get succulent encyclopedias from the library or bookstore to flip through and find photo matches.
When All Else Fails, Wait and See
If online sleuthing doesn’t lead to any definitive ID, don’t fret! Try these last resorts:
-
Monitor the plant’s growth habits over several weeks or months for more clues.
-
Wait for it to flower and then research blooms for identification.
-
Visit local nurseries to look for identical mystery matches that are tagged.
-
Take the plant to a botanical garden or succulent show and ask experts for assistance.
The most important thing is to enjoy your new succulent. With a little attentive care, most unidentified succulents will thrive just fine. The plant’s true colors are sure to be revealed eventually as it matures. Happy growing!
Succulent Identification | Succulent Name with Picture #succulentidentification #pinayplantita
Are succulents the right plant for You?
If you’ve ever wanted a plant that accepted, or even thrived, under the least possible care, then a succulent might just be the plant for you! Defined by their thick leaves used to retain moisture in their leaves, these hardy plants handle being forgotten during a vacation perfectly.
Are there different types of succulents?
Different types of succulents may share the same common name or a similar appearance with very different characteristics. Sometimes the difference is in their winter hardiness. A mistake in identifying succulents could lead to dead plants, killed by the cold. However, some succulents are toxic to pets and children.
How do you know if a succulent is a genus?
Things such as the shape of leaves, any flowers, the color of the plant, and even its height can all help. Believe it or not but the leaves of your succulent can tell you a lot about the genus of your plant. The appearance of the leaves will vary greatly between different types and this can be a real help if you know what to look for.
Do succulents have a specific name?
Many succulent varieties from cuttings or bought in-store are labeled as succulent without a specific name. I took this photo in my local succulent plant store recently. It just says ‘succulent’ and gives no information about the type of succulent plant.