Which Succulents Are Winter Hardy?

 

Most plants cannot survive the cold, harsh weather of winter. It’s the toughest season for them to grow as their cells tend to freeze up and die. 

However, there are some succulents that not only survive the winter, but actually thrive in these conditions.

So, want to grow succulents that last all year round, inside and outdoors? Read on to find out which succulents are winter hardy.

Queen Victoria Agave

Botanical Name: Agave victoriae-reginae

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 10 to 15F (-10 to -12C)

The Queen Victoria Agave’s white border markings make it stand out from other succulents. It’s round with its rosette standing at around 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Its leaves have a black terminal spine, while its sap can irritate the skin, so make sure to handle it with care.

Hens And Chicks

Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 30 to 40F (-1 to 4C)

The Hens and Chicks succulent gets its name from its rosette clusters. The parent rosette is called the hen and the offspring that grow from it is known as the chick. It’s quite a small succulent but what it lacks in size is made up for by its toughness to the cold. 

Broadleaf Stonecrop

Botanical Name: Sedum spathulifolium

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 5 to 10F (-10 to -15C)

The Broadleaf Stonecrop’s leaves turn a gorgeous shade of burgundy when the temperature drops, making it a great addition to your arrangement in the winter and all year long. Its rosette is made up of grey-green leaves, adorned by yellow flowers in the summer but completely transform when the winter months roll in.

Upright Myrtle Spurge

Botanical Name: Euphorbia rigida

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 10 to 20F (-6 to -12C)

This is another small winter hardy succulent. It only reaches 24 inches in height and grows spiral leaves around its thick stem. When fully grown, it shows off its beautiful yellow leaves around a small green flower that turns red in the fall - perfect for brightening up your garden or home in the winter.

Parry’s Agave

Botanical Name: Agave parryi

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 15 to 20F (-6 to -9C)

Parry’s Agave is a stunning winter hardy succulent. Its unique appearance makes it seem like it’s been carved from a stone slab. Its leaves have a dusty tone that complements its black terminal spine. That said, it can take years for it to flower, so bear that in mind when you’re looking to add to your succulent collection.

Thompson’s Yucca

Botanical Name: Yucca thompsoniana

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 5 to 15F (-10 to -15C)

Want to bring the tropical theme into your home? Then Thompson’s Yucca is ideal. It can grow up to 12 feet tall and 8 inches wide. Its white flowers grow atop the plant’s stalks that develop into egg-shaped fruits after a while. It’s certainly one of the best winter hardy succulents around.

Whale’s Tongue Agave

Botanical Name: Agave ovatifolia

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 10 to 20F (-6 to -12C)

This succulent gets its intriguing name from its distinctive agave. Its foliage has an eye-catching color and ragged-edged leaves look like teeth. Flowers bloom just once in ten years but when they do, they produce dense clusters of yellow, so it’s worth the wait

Pink Ice Plant

Botanical Name: Lampranthus deltoides

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 10 to 15F (-10 to -12C)

The Pink Ice Plant’s most notable feature is its leaves. They are plump and triangular in shape and are surrounded by red teeth, making the blue-green leaves look incredibly sharp. As suggested by its name, its flower is pink and it surrounds the entire plant. While it can survive the cold weather, it’s a good idea to cover them up during heavy frost.

Kniphofia

Botanical Name: Kniphofia uvaria

Minimum Temperature Tolerance: 10 to 20F (-6 to -12C)

Kniphofia is also commonly known as the Red Poker plant. This succulent grows easily in the winter, growing up to 4 feet tall and blooms a beautiful flower that displays a wide variety of shades of red, orange and yellow. It doesn’t look like a typical succulent, so it’s a great plant if you want to bring something unique to your arrangement.