Succulents - Water-Smart Picks for Western Cape Gardeners

Aeonium'Kiwi' is a  charming evergreen succulent with petite, variegated rosettes and spoon-shaped leaves that turn a vibrant rose red in the sunlight. Plant this popular succulent in well-draining soil  and water sparingly. Aeonium'Kiwi' requires a minimum of 6 hours of daily sunlight to ensure optimal growth.

An impressive succulent with green and pink leaves, each featuring a bold burgundy stripe down the center. Ideal for mixed containers, it thrives in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight. Water moderately, letting the soil dry between watering for optimal growth.

The smooth, structural, weighty and pleasing cylindrical leaves make this an attention-grabber. This easy-care plant is an incredible houseplant. When grown outdoors, it is best placed in a partially shaded, bright light location.

A low growing matt-forming, evergreen succulent perennial with yellow-green needle-like foliage. Sedum Angelina is fast spreading and will be adorned with small, yellow star-shaped flowers in midsummer. This low maintenance plant is perfect for rock gardens.

Black Rose is definitely a show-stopper, its nearly black foliage and clusters of yellow flowers bring drama and contrast into any garden setting. Spectacular when used in containers, raised planters and in grouped plantings. A very unique and popular succulent to add to your collection. Grows well in sunny to partially shaded positions. Winter rains provide ample moisture for growth, little water is needed during the rest of the year.

An indigenous trailing succulent. The growth habit is upright when young but when it gets about 30cm tall it will fall over and begin to trail. The tubular leaves are long and a gorgeous blue color. Can be grown as a groundcover in warm winter areas or it is dazzling in a planter with mixed succulents.

A striking blue-gray indigenous succulent.

Pencil-like ,slightly curved leaves point upward and form a dense mat. Creates a very attractive groundcover or textural contrast in mixed succulent containers. Small white flowers appear in summer. Low maintenance and drought tolerant. A frost-tender evergreen that prefers a full sun position and moderate watering.

A hardy, evergreen succulent shrub with interesting tooth-edged foliage, that turn from green to red in winter. Bears small yellow flowers on erect stems from June to November. Drought resistant.

Assorted Cacti.

When used as an indoor plant, place the plant by a sunny window. 

Calandiva, a cultivar of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is an evergreen, flowering succulent plant with glossy green leaves. The flower buds are long-lasting and will bloom for almost six to eight weeks long. Flowers come in a wide variety of colours.  Calandiva makes an ideal gift.

This colourful crassula is a firm favourite as it sets your garden alight with its fleshy propeller-like leaves that mature from bright lime-green to bright red. Also very pretty in containers or hanging baskets. 

Cotyledon Pendens is an easy starter plant that requires little maintenance, yet is one of the most beautiful succulents. Native to South Africa,they are often seen hanging done cliffs in their natural habitat. Very attractive as an houseplant,due to its leaves that naturally hang down to create cascading beauty. Beautiful bell-shaped flowers in shades of orange and red adds to its charm. Thrives in bright sunlight and requires regular watering , especially during hot summer months.

With its tightly whorled rosettes of fleshy silvery, ice-blue leaves that freely produces offsets, this fast-growing and award winning succulent is a very attractive addition to one's succulent collection. Bright-pink blooms on long slender stems occur late winter and spring.

Spreading succulent with yellow-green to orange foliage.  White, lightly fragrant flowers in winter.

Kalanchoe uniflora is a trailing or spreading epiphyte, often grown in hanging baskets or mounted.  Commonly known as Coral Bells, the leaves are bright green, fleshy and rounded to ovate.  The succulent texture helps the plant retain water.  Despite the name uniflora, which means single-flowered this kalanchoe bears multiple coral-red bell shaped flowers at once. 

Perfect for Cape Town's Mediterranean climate, the Cotyledon 'Boma' features distinctive paddle-shaped leaves in rich green with striking red edges. This water-wise succulent thrives in our hot, dry summers, requires minimal watering, and produces spectacular salmon-orange flowers in winter when few other plants are blooming.

Ideal as groundcover or border plant, Cotyledon 'Boma' thrives in poor soils and handles strong winds with ease. 

Hydra Noir is an attractive succulent with, fleshy finger-shaped leaves.  This indigenous beauty has a distinct dark colouring of deep green to black foliage.

Bears red-orange bell-shaped flowers in Winter.

The Cotyledon Orbiculata 'Staghorn' is a striking succulent with unique, deer-antler-shaped leaves in a soft bluish-grey to silvery hue. It produces vibrant orange or red tubular flowers in the warmer months, attracting pollinators. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in well-drained soil with minimal watering, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Its sculptural form adds a distinctive touch to any plant collection.

Crassula Arborescens, commonly known as Curly Grey, is a distinctive succulent characterized by its compact, bushy growth and unique foliage. It features tightly clustered, fleshy leaves that are curved and often tinged with a silvery-grey hue, giving the plant its name. This succulent is known for its resilience and is popular among collectors for its striking appearance and easy care requirements.

Crassula Capitella is an indigenous evergreen groundcover with fleshy propeller-like leaves, turning from lime green to red in bright sun.  In summer this perennial herb will bear small white star-shaped flowers, attracting wildlife to the garden.

Crassula Capitella also looks very pretty in containers or hanging baskets. Prefers well-drained soil.

A lovely slow-growing succulent with a bushy habit. The wavy blue-green leaves with their red edges, make an interesting filler plant. Ideal for rockeries, containers or borders. *Toxic to pets and small children..

This small slow growing succulent grows in dense clusters of blue-green fleshy, transluscent leaves, forming a rosette.  They grow deeply set in the soil to protect itself from the hot sun.  Ideal to keep inside on a window sill with bright indirect light.

An evergreen,succulent bush with fingerlike stems that are green when young, turning brown and woody when mature. Bears small bright yellow cluster flowers. Ideal plant to create texture in your garden. *Can be toxic to humans and animals.

This magnificent Japanese cultivar is a very attractive small growing, stemless succulent. A terrific addition to pots or containers 

'Little Jim',also known as' Dwarf Spekboom', is ideal to shape into a Bonsai or used as small hedge. The leaves are edible and the plant ,has marvelous air-purifying qualities. It helps fight air pollution by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting like a carbon sponge. Easy to grow and low-maintenance. 'Little Jim' works well in hot, dry rockeries or grouped with other succulents in drought-prone areas. 

Blue Prince is a lovely succulent, forming rosettes of dark blue-green leaves that turn a beautiful bronze colour in full sun.  Will bear red-orange flowers on tall stems in late Spring.

A small rosette shaped succulent with fleshy, rounded upward facing leaves, red tinged leaves. A wax coating gives the leaves a frosty texture. Bears coral red flowers.

A lovely easy to grow, succulent with dark green furry leaves, with bright red edges. Colours will become more vibrant in summer. Great addition to a succulent bowl or rock garden.  Non-flowering.

A lovely compact, little echeveria, with a beautiful rosette of full spoon-shaped blue-gray leaves.

Very popular evergreen succulent of striking beauty. It forms a solitary rosette of rounded, pointed pastel grey leaves adorned with lavender-pink highlights. The overlapping leaves are delicately dusted with a fine white powder which adds to the plant's unique appeal.One of the most prolific echeverias, producing generous flowering spikes of coral pink flowers yearly. Highly valued in floral arrangements, wedding bouquets and an excellent container plant.Adds beautiful colour and contrast to your garden landscape.

A beautiful succulent with grey-green and red tipped leaves that are covered in fine silver hairs, giving a frosty appearance. Will bear bright yellow-orange flowers on stalks. 

A rosette shaped succulent 

Echeveria Asante Sana is an evergreen succulent that forms compact rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves, transitioning from blue-green to deep purple and red in cooler months. It thrives in full sun to semi-shade, reaching 20cm tall and 20cm wide. Waterwise and low-maintenance, this succulent is perfect for drought-tolerant gardens, rock features, or as an indoor plant on a windowsill.

This succulent has a lovely medium sized rosette and unusual colouring of chocolate-grey green leaves. Perfect for growing in containers on its own or as part of a mixed succulent arrangement.

Provides a striking colour contrast in rock gardens and adds interest and variation in succulent gardens.

Water-wise,prefers full sun /part shade.

Echeveria Preta Black Flash is a stunning, medium-sized succulent with a rosette shape and vibrant yellow-green center that transitions to rich dark green-purple and almost black fleshy leaves. Ideal for succulent gardens or growing in containers, it offers a striking colour contrast and adds diversity to rock gardens.

A beautiful succulent with short-stemmed rosettes of grey-green to blue-grey leaves with frilled white margins. In full sun the leaves will form a slight pink blush.

Fan Aloe (Aloe Plicatilis) showcases architectural, fan-shaped foliage that stands up beautifully in Cape Town and George gardens. Ornamental, water-wise, and low-maintenance, this aloe is ideal for coastal wind exposure, dramatic rock garden accents, or container planting with minimal fuss.

The fire sticks plant resembles sea coral and is a striking evergreen succulent shrub. It is resilient to most pests and diseases. Water hardly at all in winter and moderately in summer. Let the soil dry out before watering again. 

*Please note this plant is toxic.  Use with care.

A silver succulent that forms a small, clumping bush. Its oblong leaves are covered in white, waxy hairs that give it a “dusty” look. Small pink flowers bloom in the Spring. *Can be toxic to people and pets.

Crassula expansa fragilis is a charming, miniature succulent with delicate stems.  It has a low-growing, mat-forming and trailing habit. The leaves are soft and fragile and can fall off easily when handled.  Blooms with tiny white flowers from Summer to Winter. 

Crassula fragilis is heat tolerant and fast growing  in the right conditions.  Water when the soil is completely dry.

The golden barrel cactus is armed with golden yellow spines. In its native Mexico, plants can eventually grow to around 90cm wide. It makes an easy to care for plant - feed plants once a month during the growing season, and it does not matter if it dries out from time to time. Be extremely careful not to over water - especially during winter. It makes a real statement when planted one per single contemporary planter. Or, if you have space, to place a set of these in a row in a bed with excellent drainage.

When used as an indoor plant, place the plant by a sunny window. 

Darley Sunshine is a brilliant green trailing graptosedum with bright red tips on fleshy, rounded leaves. Easy to grow and maintain.         

*The leaves can be poisonous to animals and pets.

A small succulent with striking reddish-brown leaves that spiral around the stem with top leaves arranged in beautiful rosettes.It grows up to 15cm tall and can spread or drape attractively over pots and containers.

Clusters of pinkish flower buds reveal delicate yellow flowers in Spring. A must-have in your succulent collection. Thrives in sunny conditions, water regularly in summer months. Take care to not overwater as this could cause root rot.

An evergreen succulent shrub with green paddle-shaped leaves with a red edge. Bears salmon-orange flowers from late winter to early spring.

The captivating Fish Bone Cactus is a fast-growing wonder thriving in low-light spaces. Its slender stems branch out in fascinating zig-zag patterns, adorned with aerial roots. At night, watch in awe as this plant occasionally unveils magnificent, show-stopping pink blooms, adding an enchanting touch to any space.

Care is simple—simply provide indirect light, occasional watering, and well-draining soil for this resilient beauty to flourish effortlessly in your home.

* In plastic hanging basket 

Also called Schlumbergia or Christmas Cactus. This cascading, epiphytic cactus is ideal for use in hanging baskets.  It has flat segmented stems, resembling crab claws and it bears striking, long-lasting tubular flowers in winter.  Flowers comes in shades of pink, red, purple and orange.  This cactus will even flower indoors. Needs to be watered regularly in spring and summer and much less in winter. Do not place in direct sunlight.

An attractive, quirky succulent indoor plant with long, bean-like lime green leaves. Its unique, coiling pea-pod green leaves fit in cramped spaces and purifies the air. Does well in a range of light conditions, making it suitable for poorly lit indoor areas. Avoid placing in direct sunlight indoors and outdoors. Take care not to overwater to prevent root rot.

These popular garden and container plants resemble miniature aloes. Their charm is in their small size, ease of growth, and the almost infinite variation of their delightful leaves.

A small, slow-growing hybrid jade plant with fleshy bright green cylindrical leaves. The leaf margins will turn red with maturity and especially when exposed to the sun. Low maintenance plant ideal for rock gardens, containers and will also be quite happy on a well-lit window sill.

The Jade Plant'Sunset' is a popular and award-winning succulent shrub with glossy, rounded, fleshy green leaves adorned with golden yellow tips and red edges. Clusters of small white to pale pink flowers bloom from Autumn to Spring. As it ages, the stout grey trunk and limbs become massive and thick.The Jade Plant is versatile and easy to grow and perfect for succulent gardens,rockeries and indoor pot plants.

The Jade Plant,also known as the 'Money Plant', is a well-known native succulent shrub with a compact growth habit. Ovata has glossy, grey-green,oval succulent leaves with a red margin and bears masses of pink flowers from Winter to Spring. The Jade plant's vibrant green leaves and tree-like structure make it a favourite for pots,windowsills,rockeries and succulent gardens.

The Jelly Bean plant is a quirky and unusual succulent. Its short leaves resemble jelly beans, especially when it change colour. The green leaves turn into red during summer months as a protective adaption. Bright yellow flowers appear between the leaves in Spring. Mainly used as an ornamental plant for use in gardens as well as potted plants. Low -maintenance and easy to grow and tolerates all types of soil. This unique specimen is a must-have for your succulent collection.

A captivating succulent with a ground-hugging growth habit, perfect for water-wise gardens. Its unique foliage features fleshy leaves that seem to shimmer as they catch and reflect sunlight. But the real showstopper is its vibrant array of flowers, which burst into bloom during late spring and summer.

Once established, they're virtually indestructible, withstanding long drought spells.

The Lipstick vine is a medium sized plant with dark green cascading leaves with cream-coloured blotches and purple undersides.  Bears bright orange, lipstick-shaped flowers, hence the common name.  Ideal for hanging baskets.  Medium to low water needs.  Only water once completed dry.

The Lipstick vine is a medium sized plant with dark green cascading leaves with cream-coloured blotches and purple undersides.  Bears bright orange, lipstick-shaped flowers, hence the common name.  Ideal for hanging baskets.  Medium to low water needs.  Only water once completed dry.

Tube like leaves resembling little hunting horns. Grows upright.

This plant, is a dwarf cultivar of the familiar houseplant Sansevieria Trifasciata. Although a tough plant, it does require bright light and warm temperatures.  Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

Pachypodium Lamerei is a semi-deciduous succulent shrub or small tree with a thick spiny trunk, topped with a cluster of strappy green leaves. Easy to grow, but requires good drainage.  Mature plants (5 - 10 years old) will bear fragrant white flowers in Summer.

Pachypodium Lamerei makes an ideal indoor plant.

Mangave 'Pineapple Express' is a bold, fast-growing succulent with narrow, spiky green leaves covered in deep burgundy spots. Its pineapple-like rosette adds a dramatic, tropical touch to gardens, containers, and xeriscapes. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a standout choice for modern landscapes. Mangave is a hybrid of Agave and Manfreda, combining the beautiful form and structure of Agave without the harsh thorns, while also growing faster than Agave.

Mangave 'Praying Hands' is a striking succulent hybrid known for its unique, upright leaves that curve inward like praying hands. The leaves are gray-green with bold, dark purple spots, forming a compact, architectural rosette. This plant thrives is perfect for containers, rock gardens, and low-water landscapes. Its eye-catching shape and color add a dramatic flair to any garden or indoor space. 

Mangave is a hybrid of Agave and Manfreda, combining the beautiful form and structure of Agave without the harsh thorns, while also growing faster than Agave.