Why Succulents Deserve a Spot in Every Garden
Bold, Waterwise, and Surprisingly Modern
Succulents are often overlooked, sometimes even labelled "old-fashioned". But with their bold shapes, vibrant colours, and near-zero maintenance, these hardy plants are stealing the spotlight in the most contemporary landscapes. Their diverse forms bring contrast to leafy green gardens, and their colours range from cool greys and blues to warm oranges, purples, and greens.
- Aloes offer sculptural presence, with architectural lines and glowing winter flowers
- Cotyledons and crassulas bring softness and silver-toned foliage
- Echeverias, with their intricate symmetry and jewel tones, are like living works of art
Planted thoughtfully, succulents can elevate any garden design—especially when paired with stone, gravel, or other textural elements.
Why Succulents Steal the Show - Any Time of Year
Succulents aren’t bound by seasons. They’re scene-stealers all year round, thanks to their striking forms, vivid tones, and ability to thrive with barely a fuss. Whether you’re refreshing pots, adding drama to borders, or building a waterwise bed, there’s no wrong time to welcome a few sculptural stars into your garden. Easy, elegant, and endlessly rewarding—succulents truly do it all.
Top Succulents for Cape Gardens
Aloes – Bold, upright, and architectural—aloes anchor garden beds and attract birds with their vibrant winter blooms. Indigenous and waterwise.
Crassulas – Reliable and sculptural, crassulas like Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) are excellent for pots, dry beds, and structural groupings.
Cotyledons – Locally adapted succulents with grey-green leaves and coral-coloured flowers—great for softening rock gardens and sunny borders.
Portulacaria afra (Spekboom) – An indigenous favourite that’s highly drought-tolerant and ideal for hedging, bonsai, or mass planting.
Echeverias – Compact rosettes in striking tones—perfect for containers or detailed foreground plantings. Their symmetry and subtle colours make them miniature sculptures in the garden.
Mangaves – Exotic hybrids with bold markings and dramatic form—ideal for statement pots or modern dry gardens.
Design Ideas: Great Succulent Pairings
Succulents work beautifully on their own, but they’re even better when thoughtfully paired with other drought-tolerant or textural plants. Here are some top combinations that thrive in Cape Town’s climate:
- Aloes + Ornamental Grasses – Pair upright Aloe ferox or Aloe marlothii with flowing Pennisetum or Aristida for textural contrast.
- Cotyledons + Pelargoniums – Combine Cotyledon orbiculata with Pelargonium tomentosum for a soft, silver-toned and scented ground layer.
- Echeverias + Dymondia margaretae – Use low-growing Dymondia to edge beds of colourful echeverias—great for pots or tight borders.
- Mangaves + Agapanthus ‘Black Jack’ or ‘Pink Blush’ – Offset bold Mangaves with striking agapanthus varieties for a high-contrast, seasonal effect.
- Portulacaria afra + Leucadendrons – Combine the lush green of spekboom with the upright foliage of Leucadendron salignum for a modern, indigenous look.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use well-drained, sandy soil or improve drainage with gravel
- Water sparingly, might not even need any watering in wet Cape Town winters
- Avoid watering when the soil is moist
- Avoid frost pockets and overly shaded areas
- Top beds with pebbles or crushed stone for definition and remember to not let the pebbles or stones cover the stem- there needs to be breathing space.
Shop Succulents at Cape Garden Centre
Our team has curated a wide range of indigenous and climate-suited succulents, ideal for Cape Town gardens.
Also read Garden & Home's Guide about Succulent Care
Visit us in-store or shop our succulent collection online by clicking here https://www.capegardencentre.co.za/collections/succulents