Let’s start off the list of succulents that bloom with a timeless favorite! Aloe species were once thought to be a touch stuffy, but now they’re enjoying a resurgence in well-deserved favor.
This resilient genus, which is found in tropical areas all over the world, thrives inside since its requirements are simple to meet. Even amateur indoor gardeners can use it! You only need to give succulents the bare minimum of attention.
It’s simple to take care of your aloe vera plant. It is better to cultivate it indoors because it does not like cold weather and frost is not an option. Make sure you find it the appropriate pot because it can quickly take up a lot of room. We are all aware that the aloe plant’s spiky leaves contain a gel with numerous medical, health, and cosmetic uses.
Provide your aloe with plenty of sunlight and make sure it is grown in a pot with a drainage hole and dirt that drains effectively. With the right care, you’ll see the growth of a flower spike that yields numerous lovely (often orange) blossoms. a breathtaking sight!
Echeveria (Echeveria sp.)
Echeveria, one of the most well-liked varieties of flowering succulents, is admired for its lovely rosette growth pattern. This variety of flowering succulents can provide stunning blooms. Multiple offsets from a single flower spike can each bear the most gorgeous tiny pink, yellow, or orange blooms.
Even though echeveria is not the most straightforward succulent to cultivate indoors, you may make yours thrive if you follow its care instructions. For this species to keep its flat, rosette-like structure, it needs lots of light.
Echeverias will etiolate heavily if they receive insufficient light. As a result, the plant becomes awkwardly stretched and incapable of using its energy to produce blooms. So to truly enjoy this wonderful species, place yours in the sun or get some growing lights.
Remember that there are many different Echeveria species available. To choose the ideal flowers for you, look over our guide to Echeveria types, hardiness zones, optimal flowering dates, and indoor vs. outdoor cultivation.
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.)
The Opuntia genus contains prickly pear cactus that are well renowned for being tasty. As long as you peel the “cactus fruit” correctly, it makes a wonderful accent to your recipes.
When the irritating spines are removed from some prickly pear cacti’s leaf pads, the tasty fruit they generate is produced. Opuntia cacti are valued for their nutritive value as well as the lovely flowers they produce.
Everyone can find an Opuntia because there are more than a hundred species in the genus. Opuntia microdasys, often known as the bunny ears cactus, is a flowering succulent that maintains a compact size. For those who are die-hard flower fans, there is the magnificent Opuntia basilaris and the extremely cold-hardy Opuntia Grandiflora.
All are thought to be incredibly hardy and simple to grow, making them the best option for beginners. Just remember to handle this species carefully because it has some of the nastiest cacti spines around! Numerous Opuntias produce glochids, which are burn hairs that can become lodged in your skin and cause excruciating irritation.
You need to locate the ideal balance of high temperatures, sunshine, and low humidity if you want to grow the most magnificent cacti (and other succulents, for that matter) (lots and lots of it). Be careful not to water your cacti more frequently than is advised. They begin to resemble sponges when they absorb too much water, and they might even collapse under their own weight. It’s true!
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
You’ll adore the flowers on the plant known as a string of pearls if you can appreciate subtlety. Senecio rowleyanus, a quirky succulent with both foliage and flowers, is its scientific name. It’s a great choice for hanging planters because of its long strings of pea-like leaves. The plant will also produce a ton of tiny, fuzzy blossoms if adequate care is given.
When it comes to watering, the string of pearls might be a little particular. Be sure to do your research before purchasing this plant. The plant typically grows on rocky terrain with minimal earth in its natural habitat, which is a highly unwelcoming environment with limited rainfall.
We’ll want to duplicate that at home by selecting extremely abrasive soil that drains rapidly and watering sparingly but deeply. Your Senecio will drown if there is too much water! Since this plant will deflate its typically fleshy leaves when it is thirsty, underwatering is generally preferable to overwatering.
Easter lily cactus (Echinopsis sp.)
Do you favor showy over subtle? Choose Easter lily cactus from the Echinopsis genus (also known as hedgehog cacti) in place of the previously specified string of pearls. Although this genus often has a relatively unremarkable appearance, once spring arrives and it emerges from its winter slumber, everything changes.
The plant produces a fuzzy flower spike that unfolds to expose a magnificent blossom that might be so big that completely obstructs the cactus.
One variety of Echinopsis is dubbed “Flying Saucer” for a reason. The cactus can flower for days or even weeks if the conditions are correct, with each flower fading after a few days and then being replaced right afterwards by a new one.
If you can give Echinopsis cacti plenty of light, they are simple to maintain. In the summer, water deeply only when the soil is completely dry, and mostly not at all in the winter. To give your Echinopsis the energy it needs to create its magnificent bloom, think about using a cactus fertilizer!
Remember that cactus don’t need complicated blends of fertilizer when it comes to these plants. With extremely diluted all-purpose fertilizer, which you can purchase from a specialized store, the majority of cacti and succulents will thrive. For your requirements, a low-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer is optimal. In terms of frequency, feeding your cactus once or twice a year will generally be beneficial.
Powder puff cactus (Mammillaria sp.)
The powder puff cactus comes up at number six on our list of flowering succulents. With approximately 200 known species, the genus Mammillaria is one of the most numerous families of cacti on the planet. Their lovely tiny flowers, which bloom in spring and form a crown on top of the plant, are what unite its members.
However, Mammillaria is among the most widely grown and accessible cacti species. This implies that it should be simple for you to locate one at your neighborhood garden center. Additionally, all of its types remain compact, which makes them the ideal accent to a sunny windowsill.
As always, select grittier soil that doesn’t retain water and grow your Mammillaria in a container with drainage holes. Water when the soil is completely dry, but throughout the duration of the winter, nearly no water should be provided to mimic the plant’s natural environment.
Pro Tip: Depriving Mammillaria of water and exposing it to colder temperatures over the winter actually encourages more prolific blossoming in the spring.
Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)A Holiday Flowering Succulent
The Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri), so named because it blooms around Easter, is a lovely addition to your springtime decor. To ensure you do not confuse it with other holiday cacti (such as the Thanksgiving or Christmas ones), here is how it appears:
The Easter cactus has segments that are 2 to 3 inches long, is succulent, jointed, and spine-free. Typically, segments are flat, although older stems may develop triangular shapes. There are soft, brownish bristles at the tips and in between the segments. The segments’ edges, known as phylloclads, are frequently encircled by a purple fringe.
Even though it’s not very challenging to grow this species, many indoor gardeners wind up with a dead Easter cactus. Why? because they didn’t take into account the plant’s natural environment. The Easter cactus doesn’t flourish in conditions similar to those in deserts, in contrast to many other flowering succulents. Because it is a rainforest succulent, it requires more moisture and less light than its desert-adapted relatives.
Remember that light and warmth are both required for flowering. The plant will ‘perform’ better if you can keep the evenings entirely pitch black starting about January, but it will still blossom if you do nothing at all in the months leading up to spring.
Pro Tip: The Christmas cactus, which we’ll talk about later in this post, shouldn’t be confused with the Easter cactus. Uncertain about the type you’re working with? Compared to the Christmas cactus, the Easter cactus has segmented leaves that are more rounded. Its flowers also feature a single segment rather than several.
Hens and chicks (Sempervivum sp.)
Sempervivums are the ideal plant and are typically planted outdoors because they are one of the few succulent species that can tolerate almost anything. They normally grow in rocky cracks and crevices in arid places, so their extreme drought tolerance is not a surprise.
They can also withstand a lot of sunlight and will produce a lot of offsets each year, living up to their common name of “hens and chicks.”
Now, while all of that is wonderful and all, the actual reason we adore hens and chicks so much is because they also grow the most beautiful little flowers. Sempervivums are monocarpic plants, hence the emergence of blooms signals the plant’s impending demise. However, there is no need to be afraid of their blossoms because each individual specimen will continue to generate several offspring.
Carrion flower (Huernia sp.)
For those readers who enjoy the unique flowering succulents, here is one for you! Succulents belonging to the genus Huernia are indigenous to southern Africa. It maintains a tiny size by solely generating stems as opposed to stems plus leaves. Its blooms are its most captivating characteristic.
Many species produce flowers that smell like carrion, as suggested by its common name, in order to entice flies to function as pollinators. Each variation of these tiny blossoms produces more bizarre-looking ones than the previous one, making them unlike anything you’ll see on other succulents.
Huernia naturally flourishes in arid environments. To grow inside, it needs sufficient drainage. Although plenty of illumination is preferred, this species doesn’t truly require as much direct sunlight as some others. Additionally, it functions just fine in strong indirect light.
Ice plant (Delosperma sp.)
The Delosperma genus contains ice plants, which have their origins in South Africa. There are several diverse variations in the genus. For individuals wishing to cultivate a succulent as ground cover, they are all excellent choices.
Delosperma runners will swiftly cover whatever area they are planted in given the correct circumstances. This produces a gorgeous green show, which gets even more stunning when flowering time comes around. Huge amounts of tiny daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and yellow are produced by ice plants.
As long as they are maintained dry over the winter, Delosperma succulents are extremely cold-hardy. For many other flowering succulents, a strong freeze would mean definite death, but these can withstand it!
Which succulents are going to bloom?
Succulent plants have varying blooming periods. Although echeverias typically bloom in late spring to early summer, they can also bloom in the fall. Although aloe vera usually blooms in the summer, it can also bloom at other seasons of the year. Several varieties bloom in the fall and winter. In the autumn and winter, jade, kalanchoe, rhipsalis, and certain hoya also blossom.
Regrettably, some succulents are monocarpic, meaning they only have one flowering cycle. For example, the stunning aeonium and the cold-tolerant sempervivum perish after blooming. However, they will give birth to offspring before flowering, carrying on their line.
Most cacti and succulents begin to bloom between the ages of four and six. Others might reach their peak earlier.
Does every succulent produce flowers?
No. Succulent plants don’t always bloom. Some plants may not flower at all, while others may take years to mature. While some succulent species require a maturation period before they are ready to flower, certain succulent species flower freely even while they are young.
Growing conditions and environmental factors can play a significant role. The appropriate temperatures, a lot of sunlight, and an atmosphere that resembles their native habitat are all things you can do to promote blooms.
Succulents never blossom, right?
Is it possible to get succulents to bloom? No and yes. Age of the plant is a factor. It might not be substantial or developed enough to prepare for reproduction (which is the point of flowers). But if a succulent is just sitting there, pouting, with no apparent reason not to produce a treasured flower spikeif it’s the right season, there IS something you can do to make it bloom. While most succulents flower in the spring and summer, others (like aloes and crassulas) do so in the middle of the year.
So here is the trick: The majority of plants, including succulents, require light to blossom. Photosynthesis, which generates energy and powers new growth, depends on sunlight. All living things, including plants, want to reproduce. For plants, this means having the strength to bloom. Succulents need a lot of light because they are typically native to hot, arid areas.
This aloe would remark, “If I could communicate,” “I’m in dire need of light! Maybe I won’t be able to blossom! Help!
Above: An indoor Aloe maculata plant flourishing in the Seattle region. Despite being in good health, it has flattened and lengthened its leaves to allow as much of its surface to be exposed to light as possible. This is referred to as etiolation (et-ee-oh-lay-shun).
Above: This is how Aloe maculata appears after spending half the day in the sun and the other half in bright shade. The rosette and flower spikes are pointing in the direction of the brightest light even in these nearly ideal conditions. Reddish-brown leaf tips have evolved as a defense mechanism against excessive sun exposure. The pigment is comparable to melanin, which causes freckles and tanning of the skin.
And here, in full sun with little water, the leaves of a comparable species have shrunk to lessen evaporation. (Observe how much longer those are in the first picture.) It has become even more red, which suggests that sun exposure was perhaps not the best. This is referred to in horticulture as “Stress is visually pleasing because it brings out the best in color and symmetry. Look closely: It’s in bud! This plant may be under a little too much stress—the leaf tips are burnt, and growth has stalled.
What should you do if you reside in an area with frequent cloud cover or grow succulents primarily indoors? How to Grow Succulents in Seattle (Northern Climates), a page on my website, states the following:
Set them close to windows that face west or south inside. North-facing windows shouldn’t be bothered, but if your windows face east, gather and appreciate low-light plants like haworthias and gasterias. [Learn more]
Aloe maculata facts It was once known as Aloe saponaria (soap aloe) because the gel in its leaves lathered like soap. It is one of the few succulents that may become invasive because its roots can grow horizontally a few inches beneath the soil’s surface and sprout new plants. From their mother, baby plants can sprout up as far as three feet! Because I adore the blossoms, which are branching rather than the columnar spikes of many other aloes, I have a colony of Aloe maculata in a rocky region of the garden where they can’t create issue. Nevertheless, because the cut stems exude a mucilaginous gel, they are poor choices for cut flowers. Aloe maculata is a common passalong plant, thus there isn’t much demand for it at nurseries in Southern California. Aloe striata is a related aloe that behaves better, doesn’t have teeth, is frequently marketed in nurseries, and is considerably more desired in cultivation (coral aloe). Visit my website’s Aloes page to see it and other aloes.