Not only warm climes are suitable for a succulent garden outside! Check out what you can accomplish with succulents planted in the ground in four-season regions.
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In contrast to southern California’s sunny environment, where there are many beautiful succulent gardens, Utah’s four-season climate makes it more difficult to find outdoor succulent gardens.
The two main types of succulents that can withstand freezing temperatures are Stonecrop Sedums and Sempervivums, also known as hens and chicks. Most animals can survive at temperatures as low as –20 °F.
In order to maintain a stunning outdoor succulent garden year-round, even when there is snow on the ground, I have been developing a variety of arrangements using only cold-hardy succulents.
You’ll see affiliate connections to Mountain Crest Gardens for the many succulents I utilized for these projects all throughout this post.
I received a lot of succulents for free, but my favorite succulents are from Mountain Crest, and I wholeheartedly suggest them to everyone! Nowhere else will you find a finer collection of resilient succulents.
In the movies below, you’ll see a wide variety of succulent collections and items, but I wanted to make it simple for you to see them all at once, so here is a list of the things I used to produce these succulent landscapes:
How cold should it be for succulents?
Whether a succulent is a soft or hard succulent determines what temperature it can withstand.
Anything warmer than 32 degrees F will be enjoyable for soft succulents. preferably over 40 degrees.
These plants cannot endure colder than freezing temperatures. Their hefty, thick leaves, which serve as water reservoirs, will freeze and destroy the plant.
Succulents that can withstand the cold can sustain -20 F. The best it can manage is a zone 4 to 5, and let me tell you, that is very impressive.
You must keep in mind that even if they can withstand temperatures below zero, they still like dry soil. That remains constant.
The majority of winters in the contiguous US will not only be dry but also wet and snowy.
Can succulents endure the winter outside?
Yes, it is the answer. Although certain succulents can withstand frost, they are frequently thought of as drought-tolerant plants. They flourish in chilly, snowy conditions, and the extreme cold even brings out their magnificent, vivid colors. They are referred to as “Hard Succulents.” Sempervivum, Sedum, and Euphorbias genera contain some of the most hardy succulents. You may plant such succulents outside all year round because the majority of them can withstand temperatures as low as -20F (Hardiness Zone 5).
“Soft Succulents” are another group of succulents that are more susceptible to frost. When the weather drops below freezing, they must be winterized inside.
What kind of succulent plant thrives in cooler climates?
Succulent growers in colder climates have the following alternatives for growing succulents:
Put your fingers crossed and plant them. All succulents, both soft and hardy, should be buried in suitable soil to test how long they can survive. When planting, you should take current weather variations and the likelihood of the previous frost into account. The best time to plant the bulk of succulents is late winter to late spring, depending on your environment. There are, however, certain exceptions.
Consider them annuals. Grow succulent plants as annuals that you’ll pull out or toss before it gets cold out or if they’ve been harmed by frost. Some of them may probably surprise you by being more cold resistant than you anticipated. You can only learn through growing succulents in the cold because certain succulent plants that tolerate cold are not identified as such in their information.
If you have the time and want to research them, the majority, however, have trustworthy information posted someplace. For instance, a recent blog stated that some species can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius), according to the heat-loving agave. The unknown It’s possible that you already have succulents for cold climates thriving in your gardens and containers.
Recognize your plants. Taking the time to learn about each type will help you determine when to plant and how much cold the plant can withstand. Use customary planting times up until that moment. It’s advisable to avoid the heat in late winter or early spring. Outdoor plants have time to develop a strong root system in the late summer or early autumn before the arrival of freezing weather. Sempervivums, sedums, and the little-known rosularia are ideal places to start when seeking for succulent plants that tolerate chilly temperatures.
Be mindful of your expanding environment. According to sources on the subject, temperatures mixed with damp soil without enough drainage frequently kills succulent plants rather than the cold weather alone. Think about the options you have in your situation, such as sheltered and covered spaces.
Your succulent specimens’ roots won’t be soaked by water if your soil has been properly prepared for quick drainage. In these regions, create new beds in the late summer. Your plants will be young, healthy, and capable of surviving the challenge of lower temperatures. During this season, keep a look out for color changes because the cooler temperatures stress some plants just enough to produce vibrant colors that stand out.
Think about container gardening. Instead, plant all succulents in containers and observe their growth while doing study to learn their names and the time of year they bloom. Get those that are cold-tolerant for your zone into the ground during the following suitable planting season. Cloudy days followed by light rain showers are ideal for allowing plants to adapt to their permanent environment. When there is a heat wave, avoid planting.
I have succulents, when should I bring them inside?
Again, a lot of this depends on where you reside and what you’re growing. You should generally bring your succulents inside before the first frost. In the US, this occurs during the end of September for many people.
Naturally, if you are raising cold-tolerant succulents, they can spend the entire winter outside.
Knowing your local growth zone is crucial. You should at the very least be aware of your region’s typical low temperature. For instance, we were in Zone 5 when I lived in Utah. The majority of my succulents at the time were Zone 9 plants.
All succulents with a Zone rating higher than 5 must spend the winter indoors since they cannot withstand the cold.
Since I currently reside in a Zone 9 region near Phoenix, most of my succulent plants perform well year-round outside. Only a few succulents classified as Zone 10 or 11 will require spending the winter indoors.
Therefore, begin by classifying your succulents. Afterward, ascertain which growth zone you are in. Look how how the two contrast! Plants that are rated higher than where you reside should be brought inside.
You can use this video to decide whether you should bring your succulents indoors for the winter.
In the winter, should you cover succulents?
If you have a variety of succulents that can survive the winter outside, you might wish to do so. Your plump outdoor greens still require adequate care, though, otherwise the frost risked damaging them.
Not to mention that your plant’s roots could decay due to the winter’s damp soil. Additionally, if your region gets too much rain during the cold season, the succulents’ cells will swell. Additionally, the plant cell walls may rupture as a result of the frost. As a result, it is crucial to take precautions to safeguard your plant from all of these harmful situations.
Although some varieties of succulents can withstand below-freezing conditions, none of the species prefers frequent watering or excessive humidity throughout the year. Succulents prefer healthy soil that drains well, good airflow, and bright sunlight. Here are some precautions you should take to ensure your in-ground plants are taken care of over the winter.
Build a Greenhouse
The majority of succulents cannot withstand temperatures below 25 F during the winter nights. Bring your succulents into a DIY greenhouse if your area has the same winter temperatures, or if you have a gazebo, cover it with 5mm plastic and move your succulents there. Make sure to securely anchor the plastic, and tape the seams. You can even include a little heater if the temperature falls any lower.
Cover Your Succulents
Cover your outside succulent plants with bed sheets if your region occasionally suffers frost. Row covers and nonwoven fabrics, which are often constructed of spun nylon, are further options. Your plants will be protected when it is 2-4 degrees below freezing if you cover them with such blankets.
Additionally, don’t remove the dried leaves from your plants because they protect them from high temperatures. Move your plants that are sensitive to cold under a tree, deck, or eaves; this will prevent heat from escaping.
Can succulents recover after a freeze?
Can a frozen plant still be saved? This truly depends on the kind of plant and how long it was exposed to the cold. On all save the most tropical plants, light freezes are typically something that a plant can recover from.
Remove damaged plant material from woody plants in the spring. In the late winter, you can detect which stems are dead by scratching the bark. The tissue is still alive if the substance is green below. They will lose their leaves as a result of the freezing, but they normally re-leaf in the spring. After all threat of frost has passed, maintain the plants’ moisture and apply a mild fertilizer.
More delicate plants won’t be able to endure the freezing damage and will turn into annuals. Perennial plants that have been frozen-damaged may only have little root damage, in which case you can divide the plant and replant the pieces. The ones that recovered from the root area’s cold did not deal a fatal blow.
Are succulents meant to be inside or outdoor plants?
Succulents, however, are hardy plants that may thrive in a variety of conditions, including neglect, little access to water, fast-draining soil, and a steady source of sunshine.
It’s excellent if you live somewhere where the weather is just right for them to thrive outside.
But if you don’t, you’ll need to make some alterations and adjustments.
These bizarre plants have evolved to survive in the worst conditions, including the wettest climates, little to no soil, and the steepest slopes.
A variety of surprises, including vibrant edges, tips, or complete shifts in foliage color, can be found in the sunlight or the chilly outdoors.
When succulents are grown outside, the weather will determine and set off when the plants are dormant or active, depending on the species. On the other hand, when it warms up, that can cause new births, color changes, or blooming.
Hardy Succulents to Overwinter Outside
I tidy up my plants and put the pups or offshoots into their own containers before beginning the overwintering process. I cut off the tops of any tall or spindly succulents whose appearance I don’t like and replant them.
Some winter-hardy types don’t require a lot of particular maintenance. In fact, some succulents really prefer a chilly period in the winter. For the remainder of the year, it supports their growth.
Succulents with good winter hardiness, such as numerous Sedum, Sempervivum, Agave, Ice Plant, Lewisa, and Yucca, can overwinter successfully in Zones 5–6 and higher. Once more, this is a generality, and many of the varieties in each family will vary in their ability to withstand freezing temperatures.
I typically leave these tough succulents in the garden over the winter and only remove the brown leaves or transplant them in the spring if they were planted there.
I relocate the containers under cover if they are in containers. Both the pots and the succulents will experience less wear and tear by just being placed under a bench, deck, or eaves close to the home.
Tender Succulents to Overwinter Indoors
Aeonium, Echeveria, and Crassula are among winter succulents that require a little extra attention because of the colder temperatures. But it’s important doing what you can to keep them safe. These succulents are exquisitely gorgeous and can bring a lot of wow factor to the projects and containers for the next year.
I clean up the plant as much as I can and transplant any offshoots, much like I do with the hardy succulents. A plant with disease and pest issues, or one that is starting to appear a little worn out, is not worth saving. Just throw them in the compost, then concentrate on the healthy plants.
It might be worthwhile to take some cuttings if your plant is a little bit overgrown in order to propagate those for fresh, young plants the following spring.
The Best Soil for Succulents
Remove the plant from the pot, shake out any soil from the roots, and then replant the succulent in a sterile cactus and succulent mix to replace the soil. This will prevent your succulents from spending the winter with soil-dwelling animals.
My own succulent soil mixture is available here. It works incredibly well and is simple to make!
Location Needs: Temperature, Light, and Humidity
Place the plants indoors in a cool area, such as a basement or garage, that receives at least a few hours of light each day. Succulents don’t require 8 hours of direct sunshine to go dormant in the winter, but if you keep them indoors where it’s warm, they will require sunlight because they won’t be able to do so.
Keep the succulents somewhere that receives enough heat to make the air dry. I’ve discovered that an unheated garage or a cold room in a basement can have too much moisture and cause the succulents to mildew in locations that receive a lot of moisture in the winter, like where I reside in Vancouver.
My succulents are content as can be since I place them on a north-facing window in a heated garage that I keep much cooler than the home.
Watering Needs
Tender succulents don’t require as much water in the winter when they’ve gone dormant. You can water them once or twice a month, letting the soil dry out in between applications. If the soil is wet, rot will grow there and should be prevented.
These suggestions will help succulents of all hardiness levels enjoy a peaceful winter’s rest. When the weather warms up in the spring, they could appear a little scraggly. Removing any brown leaves before setting them outside once more, in the garden. Your succulents will quickly regain their former radiance and beauty. Hope they even proliferate!