Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Fairy garden succulents are all the rage right now, and if you’re looking to build your own miniature garden, succulents make the perfect plant life! These plants have several interesting characteristics that make them perfect fairy garden plants, and they don’t require much sunlight or watering to thrive.
Plus, they grow quickly and are inexpensive to buy, making them the perfect addition to your fairy garden!
Not only do these fairy garden succulents bring magic to the outdoors, but they allow you to show off your green thumb, too. But if you’re really going to be a master fairy gardener, you’ve got to know which succulents work best in your garden.
Fairy gardens, or miniature scenes you can make with your own hands, are becoming more and more popular as more people find themselves looking for a creative outlet to fill their free time with.
One great way to enhance your fairy garden experience is to incorporate succulents into it. Succulents are perfect because they’re easy to grow and require little water, which makes them ideal additions to miniature gardens.
Here are 20 of the best fairy garden succulents you can use in your fairy garden right now!
Best fairy garden succulents to grow
Chocolate soldier plant (Panda plant)
The Chocolate Soldier is a very popular succulent that belongs to Aizoaceae family, its scientific name is Kalanchoe beharensis. There are many reasons why it became a popular houseplant, but one of them is definitely its name! Who doesn’t love chocolate?
Who can resist such delicious-looking plant? If you want to impress your guests and friends with an unusual gift, a Panda Plant will do it for sure. The leaves have distinctive silvery markings that make them look like chocolate cookies.
Pigmyweeds (Crassula helmsii or the Swamp Stonecrop)
These exotic-looking succulent plants grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, which means they do not tolerate cold temperatures well, but in areas where there is no threat of frost or snow cover, these are among some of the best fairy garden succulents you can grow.
Not only are they attractive to look at, they are also easy to maintain and propagate with cuttings. This particular succulent has small flowers which bloom all summer and fall.
Burro’s Tail (Donkey’s Tail plant)
This succulent has a long, thick, reddish-brown stem that grows in a rounded clump. The leaves are bright green, oval, and up to four inches long. The name comes from their resemblance to a donkey’s tail.
It can be grown indoors year-round or outdoors during warm months. It requires plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures (70-85 degrees F.) Good drainage is important, so use potting soil with added peat moss if necessary.
If overwatered it will become leggy and look unattractive. When pruning, take care not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
An airy succulent, String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) features wiry stems and tiny, pale-green leaves that mature to yellow. A native of South Africa, Senecio rowleyanus makes a slow-growing ground cover that requires well-draining soil.
It can be grown in full sun but performs best in partial shade. This succulent is drought tolerant and reaches only 6 inches tall by 18 inches wide at maturity.
The string of Pearls prefers acidic soil with lots of drainages. If you live in an area with alkaline or poor drainage, consider planting this succulent in a container filled with cactus potting mix instead.
A popular use for String of Pearls is as part of an ice cream sundae centerpiece because the foliage has a nice texture that resembles whipped cream and tastes like lettuce.
Haworthia fasciata (Zebra Plant)
One of my favorites for fairy gardens. It’s also known as Zebra Plant, because of its striped leaves. They look a lot like Haworthia attenuata (and tend to be mislabeled), but are easier to grow and far more common in garden centers.
With Haworthia fasciata (and Haworthia attenuata), you can keep it in a small pot and move it indoors over winter if you want. The plants come from the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where they grow on rocks or in thin soils near streams.
The species is variable and may include hybrids with other members of the genus.
Rosularia platyphylla
This perennial succulent with thick, green leaves grows two to four inches tall. Rosularia platyphylla is prized for its easy care and low water requirements, making it an ideal choice for fairy gardens.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate dry conditions as well as moderate humidity. This plant is a great option for both indoor and outdoor use—just keep in mind that it will die back when exposed to freezing temperatures.
Gasteria armstrongii
This succulent is popular among cacti and succulent lovers because of its pearlescent, lime-green color. Because it doesn’t grow a large root system, it can be planted in tight spaces. Commonly known as Armstrong’s gasteria or Gasteria armstrongii, it can thrive in shade or sunlight and is quite tolerant of most environments.
The leaves have three to five segments that are pointed at the tips. It produces small white flowers in summer, which turn into bright red berries by fall; these are toxic to humans and other animals so should not be eaten.
Euphorbia ingens
The species name of Euphorbia ingens is derived from two words in Latin: euphor, meaning pleasant or joyful, and gens, meaning family. Also known as Pitcher Plant or Monkey Cup Euphorbia, euphorbias are typically grown for their striking appearance and colorful flowers, but not all varieties are particularly eye-catching.
In fact, some have virtually no blooms at all! However, the one thing that every euphorbia has in common is its tendency to produce sweet nectar called meskaloid.
The succulent also produces a toxic milky white sap that’s similar to opium latex when cut open, though it can be dangerous if ingested. If you plan on planting this type of succulent in your fairy garden, make sure to use caution when handling it because these plants aren’t recommended for children and pets to touch.
Sempervivum arachnoideum (Spider Plant)
The Sempervivum arachnoideum (also known as spider plant) is a succulent that forms a rosette of leaves which radiate from a central point. Each leaf is fleshy and oblong in shape with jagged, often serrated edges.
Most varieties are light green in color, though there are several cultivars available that have red tips and purple leaves. Spider plants make excellent fairy garden plants because they’re drought-tolerant and require little water or care.
One main way to ensure that your plant will survive is to choose the right location for it; place it in an area where it can get plenty of sunlight, but not directly under the sun. It also helps to put rocks on top of the soil so that air can circulate around the roots and prevent them from rotting.
Lithops karasmontana (Living Stones)
Lithops, also known as living stones, are among some of the most unique succulent plants. Their fleshy leaves resemble stones and allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
They grow in rocky terrain that gets very little sunlight and for years were thought to be extinct until a farmer in South Africa stumbled upon them in 1801.
Lithops prefer to live in dry conditions, making them perfect for a fairy garden setting, as well as cactus gardens or indoors with low light levels.
Sedum morganianum ‘Purple Emperor’
This succulent is hardy down to 15 degrees, which makes it one of your best bets for growing succulents in winter and spring. Because it can survive both hot and cold temperatures, you can grow it as a ground cover outside, or bring it inside during cold weather.
This is an especially good option if you live in an area with high humidity. It’s also a popular option for a fairy garden because of its attractive purple coloring. Though it has sharp thorns, they are too small to cause damage when touched by humans.
Kalanchoe marnieriana (Marnier’s Kalanchoe)
This succulent’s stunning, dark-green leaves change to a deep purple in cold weather. It can bloom year-round, producing small yellow flowers that contrast beautifully with its dramatic foliage.
Kalanchoe marnieriana grows well in full sun and needs very little attention, making it a great addition to any fairy garden—especially if you’re more of a green thumb than an expert gardener.
The plants are drought tolerant and only need watering about once every 2 weeks during the warmer months. Keep them in dryer conditions during the winter months to reduce the likelihood of rot developing on the stems.
Sedum morganianum (Burrito)
The burrito succulent is one of my favorite fairy garden plants. It’s also known as Burrito Plant, which I think is hilarious because it’s shaped like a burrito! If you love Mexican food, don’t miss out on these cute succulent plants for your mini gardens.
They’re low-maintenance and look good in fairy gardens, so you can incorporate them into all kinds of fun containers for parties or just because!
Crassula perforata (Ivory Towers)
Ivory Towers are fantastic at storing water in their leaves, but they’re a pretty low-maintenance succulent, so they don’t need to be watered very often. Just give them a good once-over and make sure that the soil is completely dry before watering again.
But if you do forget, you won’t have any problems; Ivory Towers can go for weeks without water (provided it doesn’t freeze) and will grow normally when you finally remember to water them again. In addition, these plants tend to form interesting shapes with their branches, making them perfect for fairy gardens!
Crassula multicava (Crow’s Foot): Crow’s Foots like plenty of sun and not too much rain. These plants store moisture in the thick fleshy leaves which wrap around themselves like shoes on a cobbler’s last. These plants are perfect additions to rock gardens or anywhere where there’s ample sun exposure.
Corpuscularia lehmannii (Ice Plant)
This is one of my favorite fairy garden succulents to grow for a simple reason—it’s super easy! While other succulent varieties have longer care instructions, it’s hard to mess up with an Ice Plant.
That said, there are some important things you should know about their care, particularly in regards to sunlight and temperature requirements. They need full sun exposure, which means that they will probably do best outdoors (rather than indoors). They also require cool temperatures, so don’t place them near any heat sources or drafts.
Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’ (Pink Jelly Bean)
It’s not unusual for succulent plants to go by multiple names. But I’ve never seen one quite like Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’ (Pink Jelly Bean), which is widely referred to as both a succulent and a perennial.
Whatever you choose to call it, there’s no denying that it makes for an incredible fairy garden plant. It loves shade and looks beautiful nestled in among other potted succulents on your patio or deck. And if you happen to live in USDA zone 9 or higher, it can be planted outside year-round!
Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear’s Paw)
This easy-to-grow cactus is, well, similar to a bear’s paw in appearance, thanks to its quilted fleshy leaves. Cotyledon tomentosa can thrive in your fairy garden. If you’re looking for succulent plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, you can’t go wrong with Cotyledon tomentosa.
It will also do great inside your home if it gets lots of sun and has good drainage. When planting this one, make sure the soil isn’t too wet or dry because it’s sensitive to changes in moisture levels.
Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’
All succulents like to live in a sunny location, but Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ is one of those that doesn’t mind a little shade. As long as they are getting indirect sunlight and plenty of water, they will produce a lush abundance of pale blue leaves that feel velvety against your skin.
The delicate purplish-blue flowers only appear after sundown, making them great candidates for nighttime fairy gardens! They also thrive in sandy soil with very little water and fertilizer.
As with all succulents, if you don’t want it to get too big or become invasive, it’s best to plant these at the back of the garden where they can grow without obstructing pathways or plants.
Delosperma echinatum (Pickle Plant)
If you’re looking for succulent fairy garden plants, there’s a good chance you can find something from the genus Delosperma. These unusual succulents are fascinating, and they come in an array of colors.
If your heart is set on growing succulent fairy garden plants that are also completely unique, try growing something from Delosperma, you won’t be disappointed! In order to make sure you’re buying the right type of succulent fairy garden plant, look at the roots first: if they’re brown or light tan in color, then it’s probably a Delosperma.
Another way to identify these beauties is by checking their flowers: all members of this family have flowers with colorful petals arranged in long spikes like forks.
