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If you've been on Instagram recently, you might have noticed that succulents are hugely popular houseplants. Hardy and aesthetically pleasing, their ability to deal with a wide variety of light, temperature, and water situations make them especially great as bedroom plants, and balcony plants. Plus, they come in a huge variety of visually satisfying shapes and textures. Cacti are probably the best-known succulents, and typically get top billing, but there's so much more to these vibrant household plants than spikes and spines. There are tons of different species of succulents, and that they encompass more than 25 plant families.
Here, we're hoping to provide you with a small snapshot of the variety you can find within this diverse category of plants. In this list of different types of succulents, you'll find everything from aloe vera—that fleshy, long succulent known for being a healing plant—to "hens and chicks" (the "hen" part of the name refers to the larger, main plant, and the "chicks" are the tiny buds that come out of it). We've even got edible options, like common glasswort, which is mildly salty, very juicy, and a great addition to salads. And yes, there are plenty of cacti on our list too: The pretty "pincushion cactus" features beautiful flowers in addition to its fun name.
If you're inspired to start your own garden, don't miss our ultimate succulents guide or our list of the best window box plants out there.
1
Aloe Vera
Other name: Medicinal Aloe
Genus: Aloe
Family: Asphodelaceae
Fun fact: This fleshy succulent is best known for its medicinal uses, and shows up in all kinds of topical ointments. You've probably got a friend or relative who keeps one around to break off the leaves and smears the gel on sunburned or irritated skin whenever necessary.
2
Common Glasswort
Other names: Salicornia Europaea, Marsh Samphire, Sea Asparagus, Poor Man's Asparagus
Genus: Salicornia
Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth)
Fun fact: The pretty green succulent looks good enough to eat—because it is! It can be consumed like any other veggie, but it's especially tasty when pickled.
3
Sweetheart Hoya
Other names: Hoya Kerrii, Lucky-Heart, Valentine Plant
Genus: Hoya
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Fun fact: Can you believe there's a succulent with such perfectly heart-shaped leaves? This characteristic makes the Hoya a fitting Valentine's Day or anniversary gift.
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4
Agave Azul
Other names: Agave Tequilana Weber Var. Azul, Blue Agave
Genus: Agave
Family: Asparagaceae
Fun Fact: As you might have guessed from the name "tequilana," this agave variety is the base ingredient of tequila. Cheers!
5
Ponytail Palm
Other name: Beaucarnea Recurvat
Genus: Beaucarnea
Family: Asparagaceae
Fun fact: It might look like a palm tree, but the ponytail palm is indeed a succulent. Its standout features include a bulbous trunk and hair-like leaves—hence the name.
6
Snake Plant
Other name: Sansevieria Trifasciata, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Viper's Bowstring Hemp
Genus: Sansevieria
Family: Asparagaceae
Fun fact: This succulent is commonly known as a "snake plant" or "mother-in-law's tongue" because of the shape and sharpness of the leaves, respectively (make sure you pass that along to your husband's mom!). But don't be too intimidated: The Sansevieria trifasciata is also known as a "bedroom plant" because of its ability to increase oxygen and filter air, leading to more restful sleep.
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7
Woolly Senecio
Other names: Senecio Haworthii, Cocoon Plant
Genus: Senecio
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy)
Fun fact: Covered in fine white hairs, the Senecio haworthii appears "woolly"—but you might not guess that it also produces pretty yellow blooms.
8
Christmas Cactus
Other names: Schlumbergera x Buckleyi, Easter Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus
Genus: Schlumbergera
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)
Fun fact: This holiday cactus features crab claw-like leaves and asymmetrical flowers in saturated shades.
9
Pincushion Cactus
Type: Mammillaria Grahamii
Genus: Mammillaria (Pincushion Cactus)
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus)
Fun fact: There are hundreds of varieties of Mammillaria, or pincushion cacti. The succulent, naturally, resembles a pincushion, but our favorite detail has to be the daisy-like flowers.
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10
White Velvet
Other name: Tradescantia Sillamontana, Cobweb Spiderwort
Genus: Tradescantia
Family: Commelinaceae
Fun fact: A member of the spiderwort family, this interesting plant is covered in silvery white hairs that appear "cobwebby" or like white velvet.
11
Burro's Tail
Other names: Sedum Morganianum, Donkey's Tail
Genus: Sedum
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Fun fact: This has to be our favorite name for a succulent ever. The whimsical trailing stems (like a donkey's tail) make it a natural filler for cascading arrangements, such as in hanging baskets.
12
Black Prince
Genus: Echeveria
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Fun fact: Echeveria succulents are probably the most recognizable of any genus due to their rosette leaf patterns. The Black Prince species has—you guessed it—dark leaves that are almost black.
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13
Hens and Chicks
Other names: Sempervivum Tectorum, Jove's Beard
Genus: Sempervivum (Houseleeks)
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Fun fact: The "hen" part of the name refers to the main plant, while the "chicks" are the offspring buds. How cute is that?
14
Chalk Liveforever
Other name: Dudleya Pulverulenta, Chalk Lettuce, Chalk Dudleya
Genus: Dedleya (Live Forevers)
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Fun fact: It's called chalk liveforever because of its powdery wax coating and—you guessed it—they're hard to kill. They thrive in rocks and are drought tolerant and super low-maintenance.
15
Panda Plant
Other names: Kalanchoe Tomentosa, Madagascar Shrub, puss* Ears, Chocolate Soldier
Genus: Kalanchoe
Family: Crassulaceae
Fun fact: This fuzzy little guy is easy to spot thanks to its brownish red-speckled tips.
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16
Madagascar Ocotillo
Other names: Alluaudia Procera, African Ocotillo
Genus: Alluaudia
Family: Didiereaceae
Fun fact: To protect itself from herbivores, this tree-like species native to Madagascar has spines around its symmetrical leaves.
17
Sticks on Fire
Other name: Euphorbia Tirucallii, Fire Sticks, Pencil Cactus, Milk Bush
Genus: Euphorbia (spurge)
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Fun fact: If you elect to keep this vibrant succulent around, be careful, and wear gloves when handling it. It's actually a hydrocarbon plant — meaning it contains a toxic milky latex that can be converted into something similar to gasoline, and which burns on touch.
18
Butterwort
Other name: Pinguicula Moranensis
Genus: Pinguicula
Family: Lentibulariaceae
Fun fact: The butterwort is carnivorous, with sticky leaves perfect for capturing bugs.
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19
Silver Shamrock
Other names: Sorrel, Oxalis Adenophylla
Genus: Oxalidaceae (Oxalis, wood sorrel)
Fun fact: This bulbous perennial boasts pretty pink flowers (that can bloom all winter long!) and thick, shamrock-like leaves.
20
Pincushion Peperomia
Other name: Peperomia Ferreyrae
Genus: Peperomia
Family: Piperaceae
Fun fact: If you're looking for a desk plant, this one is for you. The Peru native is petite, delicate, and easy to maintain.
Taysha Murtaugh
Lifestyle Editor
Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com.
