Succulents can be difficult to cultivate outdoors in the winter in colder locations. There are still certain succulent plants that thrive in snowy conditions, despite the fact that they are generally known for preferring sunlight and not the other way around. Three of the most cold-hardy genera are Sempervivum, Hardy Sedum, and Hardy Opuntia, which can withstand subfreezing winter temperatures of -30F. Agave and rosularia are two other succulents with high cold tolerance.
Exist any succulents that can withstand the winter?
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:
Which succulents thrive in cold climates?
Looking for succulents that withstand low temperatures? You’re in the proper location! Here, start with the labeled images.
These typical species can withstand harsh northern winters, snow, downpours, and dry periods in the summer if provided with sufficient drainage. The two main genera are Sempervivum and Sedum. Rosularia, Delosperma, and Orostachys are less well known. Cacti and some Agave species may survive in all but the coldest conditions.
Sedum (stonecrop) – Trailing variants look attractive in hanging baskets, rock gardens, and as ground covers. Mexican sedums with larger leaves, like burro tail, require overwintering indoors or in greenhouses since they are less resilient to damp cold. In the winter, shrub sedums die back and come back in the spring. All develop clusters of blooms that resemble stars.
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I endorse Mountain Crest Gardens’ cold-hardy (and other) succulents based on personal experience. The quality, selection, accessibility, packaging, pricing, and customer service of MCG are exceptional.
Succulents can they endure the cold inside?
Once you understand what they require, it is possible and not difficult to keep succulents alive throughout the winter. If you live somewhere with chilly winters, the best way to ensure that soft succulents survive is to overwinter them indoors. For the most, it will be within their homes, though it could also be a heated building or greenhouse.
Can you leave succulents outside in the winter?
There are many succulents that can endure the winter outside, even in extremely cold locations. These
Succulents that are hardy thrive in chilly, snowy winters. Sempervivum heuffelii, which maintains vivid colors for Winter Interest, is one of our favorites. The frost-hardy Sedum cultivars are especially recommended since they create excellent ground covers in practically all regions.
Which succulents are not resistant to frost?
In terms of botany, succulents are not a particularly well-defined group. The thick, fleshy stems and leaves that contribute to the unique, sculptural shapes for which these plants are renowned help to identify this diverse group.
This characteristic is typically found in plants that have evolved to survive in arid environments like deserts and steppes. They are typically particularly drought resistant as a result.
Many succulents are cold-sensitive since they are native to hot, dry areas. These frost-sensitive varieties, including many aloes, crassulas, kalanchoes, aeoniums, and euphorbias, typically cannot withstand frost. If you reside in a region that is susceptible to frost, avoid landscaping with these (you can still have them as indoor plants).
On the other side, there are a ton of succulents that are native to cold, dry climates and have a reputation for being frost tolerant. These succulents are frequently able to endure temperatures well below zero. They may still be susceptible to frost burn and other types of injury, but these rarely result in plant death because the injured leaves simply grow out.
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.
What succulent is the toughest?
When the weather becomes colder, this hen and chick turns a deep crimson color that lasts all year. Because of the white growth that resembles a spider web on its leaves, this plant is also known as a cobweb sempervivum. Rosettes spread by sending stalks of baby rosettes out from the mother plant, growing two inches tall and twelve inches wide. Place them in a pot or a rock garden. zone 3 to zone 8.
In the winter, should I cover my 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.
Exist tough succulents?
In most places, hardy succulents make it simple to develop vibrant rosettes and lush groundcover outdoors. These plants can withstand cold down to at least 0F (zone 7); the majority can withstand -20F. (zone 5). All of them are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, quick-growing plants that enhance rock gardens, groundcover, container arrangements, living walls, and much more with brilliant colors & winter interest!
CARE
- Light: The majority of hardy succulents need a lot of light to develop, therefore try to grow them outdoors in full to partial sun, with more shade when the temperature rises beyond 85F. Use dedicated grow lights or put them on a sunny window sill to allow them to thrive indoors, however you could still notice that they start to fade to green and swell. Succulents that have recently been delivered in a box may take up to two weeks to acclimate to full outside sun. More details
- Like the majority of succulents, hardy variants thrive in rocky, well-draining soil. Most garden centers carry potting soil for succulents and cacti, or you can create your own sandy loam by adding sand to your own soil mixture. None of them need fertilizer, but a springtime application of a slow-release, low-nitrogen (5-10-10) fertilizer will promote quicker development.
- Water: A cycle of thorough soaking and time for the soil to completely dry out will promote the growth of strong roots. To grow roots, young plants will require more regular watering, however in the winter, less water is preferable. Use a pot with a drainage hole if you’re planting in a container. More details
- Hardiness: The majority of the cultivars on this list can withstand a deep freeze of at least -20F. (zone 5). Many Sedum species, including Sempervivum heuffelii, can withstand temperatures as low as -30F. (zone 4). Hardy succulents will be protected from winter exposure by a layer of snow, but in areas without snow, gardeners can use clear coverings and bring potted succulents under cover to avoid standing water and decay. More details
- No propagation labor is required for any of these types, although each type’s description in its appropriate category includes detailed instructions on how to replicate and transplant it.
NOTES FROM THE NURSERY
Because hardy succulents are accustomed to severe alpine environments, it is not unexpected that they are such hardy garden growth. They were placed on rooftops in the Middle Ages to fight off lightning and are now regarded as “Old World Treasures.” They are still present on rooftops today in the form of ecologically sound green roofs since they thrive in shallow soil and require little to no upkeep.
No of your level of gardening expertise, hardy succulents make wonderful landscaping and container plants. Consider placing them around stepping stones, in rock walls, and other hidden spots throughout the garden.
What causes my succulent plants to die in the winter?
The type of succulent you have will determine how to care for it in the fall and winter. They are, on the whole, a group that is simple to develop. If you provide them some sand, some water, and sunlight, they will repay you with beautiful shapes, cleaner air, and comforting company. But it helps to know how to handle a variety of these delicate guests and make them feel completely at home, whether you’re welcoming them inside over the winter or prolonging their stay as houseplants!
Know Your Succulents
With over 6,000 distinct varieties of succulents in 60 different plant families, it’s critical to understand which particular succulent you are taking care of. Knowing if your succulents are indoor growers or cold hardy succulents is important when talking about winter. The majority are from distant, scorching desert locations, but we do have a few that can withstand our zone 5 temperature. Some varieties of Sedums and Sempervivums, among others, may weather the harsh winters in the Chicago area, but many traditional succulents, such as Aloe Vera, Jade Plants, Panda Plants, and Christmas Cactus, must be kept warm and sheltered indoors.
Bringing Succulents Indoors
Before it gets below freezing, you must bring all of your sensitive, non-cold-hardy succulents indoors. Check for bugs and get rid of any ants, spiders, or other small creatures you find if you’re keeping them in the same pot. Additionally, remove any debris from the soil’s surface, such as dead leaves and twigs. Over the winter, you should offer your succulents a clean place to dwell and keep them away from any rotting objects.
Fall and Winter Maintenance
Succulents typically grow in dry, arid areas. They can store water for a long time thanks to their hefty, luscious leaves. This distinguishing characteristic lends them their distinct beauty, but properly caring for them still necessitates a few skills.
Repotting: You might want to do this if you’re bringing your succulents indoors. They could possibly use some fresh soil or a smaller container that will fit next to your window. Sandy, well-draining soil will help these desert plants flourish. Choose a particular succulent or cactus mix instead of a potting mixture that maintains moisture. Give them a container with lots of drainage holes, and take special care not to hurt their fragile roots when moving them.
Sunlight: Succulents are native to a variety of locations worldwide. Many originated in dry, fully-lit locations, while others developed in the cover of a jungle canopy. Find out whether your plants like direct or indirect sunlight by speaking with the gardening specialists at our garden centers or researching them online. Check on your guests sometimes to make sure they are not becoming sunburned because glass can sometimes enhance the strength of the sunshine. However, if you notice them slanting toward the window, it can indicate that they aren’t getting enough light.
Water: Many overzealous plant enthusiasts drown their succulents here. They are unaware that maintaining their dryness is just as crucial as moistening them. Between waterings, the top inch of the soil should be absolutely dry. When you do water them, give them a drenching similar to a desert downpour before cutting them off until their next need. Keep in mind that you should water the soil and not the leaves, which could decay. If the foliage is mushy, discolored, or squishy, you’re providing them with too many refreshments.
Navigating Winter Dormancy
Succulents spend a portion of the year inactive, like the majority of plants. This is a component of their coping strategy during a tough or dry season. Some plants hibernate over the winter, including your hardy sedums, agave plants, and pincushion cacti. They need considerably less water at this time. Frequently, watering once every two weeks is adequate.
Since many of them are native to the desert, they really hibernate during the hot, dry summers. Popular varieties of summer-dormant succulents include Kalanchoe, Aloe Vera, Snake Plants, Haworthia, and Jade Plants. It follows that the fall and winter are when they genuinely awaken and grow. In other words, they will only require low-normal watering levels. Discovering your plants’ dormancy schedule will help you take better care of them.
Live succulent plants have the beauty of requiring minimal upkeep for the most part. All they want for is soil with good drainage, sporadic moisture, adequate dry spells, and adequate sunlight. These simple conditions must be fulfilled for these gems to not only survive the fall and winter, but even thrive and grow—or, depending on the species, contentedly rest until the following spring!