Low light succulents are essential to those who don’t have much light in their homes or offices, but still want to add some greenery to their living spaces and gardens. These succulents thrive with less sunlight, and they can even be used indoors!
Most people think of succulents as plants that only thrive in dry, arid conditions, but there are actually many varieties that are perfectly happy in climates with less sunlight. These low light succulents look great in garden beds, planters, and hanging baskets and they’re perfect for new gardeners who don’t have much experience taking care of plants.
Succulents have thick leaves, stems, or roots that store water, enabling them to survive in poor conditions without much light. Most low light succulents make beautiful additions to your garden landscape, adding color and texture wherever they are planted.
If you have dark or shady spots in your garden and are looking to add some great plants but don’t want to deal with the hassle of high-maintenance, bright sunlight plants, then low light succulents may be just what you need.
Luckily, there are plenty of low light succulents that will thrive even in the shade of your home or office. Here are our top 13 picks!
Low light succulents
Aloe Polyphylla (Spiral Aloe Plant)
Aloe Polyphylla is a low light succulent that originates from the mountainous regions of Lesotho. It grows in a rosette formation and can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. The leaves are deep green with white speckles and have a spiral shape.
Aloe Polyphylla is a slow grower and does best in well-draining soil. It is drought tolerant and does not need much water to survive. Its fleshy leaves store water, which allows it to go without rain for months at a time.
Aloe Polyphylla also has yellow flowers which bloom during summer and autumn.
Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail Succulent)
Sedum morganianum, or Burro’s tail succulent, is a beautiful plant that thrives in low light conditions. The plant gets its name from its long, tail-like stems that are covered in tiny blue-green leaves.
Sedum morganianum is native to Mexico and can be found growing in the wild on cliffs and rocky hillsides. In cultivation, Burro’s tail succulent is easy to care for and makes an excellent addition to any succulent collection.
It prefers well-drained soil with plenty of organic material mixed in. These plants don’t need regular watering but will thrive when watered regularly during their active growth period (April through October).
They grow best at temperatures between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be exposed to freezing temperatures.
Adromischus cristatus x moorei
A beautiful succulent that is native to South Africa, the Adromischus cristatus x moorei is a great choice for your garden if you’re looking for something that can tolerate low light conditions. This plant is drought tolerant and can reach up to 12 inches in height.
The Adromischus cristatus x moorei has beautiful, variegated leaves that are green and pink in color. It blooms from March to April with white flowers. It’s best suited for the outdoors as it doesn’t like being overwatered or too much sun exposure.
The succulent prefers temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit (16-27 degrees Celsius).
Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri (Donkey’s Ear Plant)
A native of Madagascar, this Kalanchoe is a popular succulent due to its interesting leaves. The leaves are thick and fleshy, with a scalloped edge and a velvety texture. They range in color from green to red, and the plant can reach up to 12 inches tall.
Its name is derived from one of its most common features: the ear-shaped leaf that resembles an elephant’s ear. In the wild, it will grow on rocks and trees near streams, but in cultivation, it prefers light shade or morning sun. It grows well indoors as long as it has plenty of bright indirect light and adequate humidity.
When grown outdoors, it should be given protection from the hot afternoon sun as these types of plants cannot take any direct sunlight at all!
Dudleya brittonii (Giant Chalk Dudleya)
A member of the stonecrop family, Dudleya brittonii is a large succulent that can grow up to four feet tall. It’s native to Baja California and is one of the few succulents that can tolerate full sun. However, it will also do well in partial shade or full shade.
The leaves are thick and fleshy, up to eight inches long, and have a powdery coating that helps protect them from the sun. The flowers are white or yellow and appear in spring or summer. If they receive too much water, they will rot at the base and die.
They need very little water (just give them a good soaking once every month) and thrive in poor soil conditions such as rocks or gravel where their roots can easily access the moisture below ground level.
Crassula ovata Hobbit (Hobbit Jade)
A native of South Africa, the Hobbit Jade is a small evergreen succulent that only grows to be about four inches tall. It has thick, rounded leaves that are dark green in color and have a reddish hue along the edges.
This plant is perfect for those who do not have a lot of space, as it can be easily grown in containers. The Hobbit Jade does best in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions.
These plants are drought tolerant and need very little water, making them perfect for gardens with dryer climates.
Pachyveria glauca (Little Jewel Succulent)
A low-light succulent that’s perfect for your garden is the Pachyveria glauca, or Little Jewel succulent. This plant is native to Mexico and can tolerate long periods of drought.
It’s a great choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t require much water. The Pachyveria glauca is a slow-growing succulent, so it won’t take over your garden. One thing to note about this plant is that it does not like direct sunlight.
Instead, keep it in partial shade and provide its soil with a good amount of moisture during the summer months. You should also fertilize this succulent once per month during springtime with an organic fertilizer-like bone meal, which will help feed the roots of this flowering succulent.
Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’
A favorite of succulent lovers, the Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ features beautiful rosettes of gray-green leaves with pink highlights. This low light succulent is perfect for adding a touch of color to your indoor space.
And, like all succulents, the ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ is easy to care for – just make sure to give it plenty of bright indirect light and well-draining soil. With such gorgeous leaves and simple upkeep, this plant will be one of your favorites in no time!
If you’re looking for an easy plant that looks great indoors or out, consider investing in some succulents!
Parodia Haselbergii (Scarlet Ball Cactus)
The Parodia Haselbergii, or Scarlet Ball Cactus, is a beautiful succulent that does well in low light conditions. It’s a native of Brazil and gets its name from its scarlet flowers that bloom in the spring. This cactus is relatively easy to care for and can tolerate some neglect.
However, it’s important to not let the soil dry out completely, as this can cause the plant to wilt. If you’re looking for an interesting but easy-to-care-for plant, then you should definitely consider the Parodia Haselbergii.
Beaucarnea Recurvata (Ponytail Palm Tree)
The Beaucarnea recurvata, or ponytail palm tree, is a unique-looking succulent that does best in low light conditions. It’s perfect for adding a touch of greenery to your home without requiring much maintenance. The ponytail palm tree gets its name from its long, slender leaves that resemble a ponytail.
This succulent is native to Mexico and can grow up to 10 feet tall. It’s a slow grower, so it’s perfect for those who don’t want a lot of upkeep.
The Beaucarnea recurvata can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a great choice for those who want an unusual-looking plant that is easy to care for.
Rhipsalis baccifera (Mistletoe Cactus)
Rhipsalis baccifera, also known as mistletoe cactus, is a succulent that is native to the jungles of Central and South America. The plant gets its common name from its similarity in appearance to the mistletoe plant.
Rhipsalis baccifera is an epiphytic cactus, meaning that it grows on other plants or trees instead of directly in the ground. The plant has long, thin, branching stems that can grow up to 3 feet long.
They are often found clinging to rocks, tree branches, and even windowsills. Unlike most other succulents, this one does not store water in its stem but rather stores it in swollen leaf-like structures called cladodes which are arranged along the length of the stem.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Zanzibar Gem or ZZ Plant)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to eastern Africa. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial growing to 0.6 m (2 ft) tall and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide, with striking, glossy, evergreen leaves, each up to 45 cm (18 in) long and 5 cm (2 in) broad.
The species’ name comes from the Latinized form of Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania where it was first discovered. ZZ plants require very little water, can tolerate low light conditions and are resistant to spider mites. They’re also relatively easy to propagate.
Gasteria armstrongii (Armstrong’s Gasteria)
A drought-tolerant succulent originating from South Africa that has a clumping habit when grown in its natural habitat. Plants are solitary or may form small clumps and have dark green leaves that turn bright red during winter dormancy periods. When watered, they will generally not grow as they would prefer dry soil, though they may produce flower spikes on occasion.
