The Best Indoor Succulent Plants

Panda Plant

Lauded as a low maintenance plant, Kalanchoe tomentosa is beloved for its velvet-like ears. “This is one of my favorite succulents. I have a soft spot for plants with soft, fuzzy leaves,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. “It's more of an upright grower than a lot of the more common succulents, so it's fun for adding variety to a succulent collection.” It has silvery leaves with black edges, giving it a crisp, clean look.

Size: 2 feet tall and wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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Lola Echeveria

Stunning foliage, which grows in a rosette form, makes Echeveria ‘Lola’ a desirable indoor succulent plant. “It's fabulous in a wide, shallow container, so you see it from above,” says Hancock. “If it's happy, it can eventually throw up spikes of cheery pink flowers that appear to dangle delicately over the leaves.”

Size: 4 inches tall by 6 inches wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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Tricolor Lavender Scallops

Known for its beautiful variegated foliage, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi ‘Variegata’ is an upright grower with scalloped gray-green leaves that are edged in white and pink. “It's a relatively uncommon succulent that deserves more attention from plant parents and provides a gratifying experience when grown from a small, starter size into a beautiful specimen plant,” says Hancock.

Size: 18 inches tall and wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti/succulents mix

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Aloe Vera

Easy-going and beginner-friendly, aloe vera is a classic succulent. “Aloe has big, thick leaves that bear distinctive teeth along the edges and are often mottled in silvery green,” says Hancock. “If you grow it large, it's a dramatic statement plant that stands out from other succulents.” Aloe is known for its juicy, sunburn-soothing leaves, but it also sprouts a stalk of bell-shaped flowers every now and then.

Size: 18 inches tall and wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti/succulents mix

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Snake Plant

Unlike many succulents, Sansevieria trifasciata do well in low-light conditions. Partial sun is ideal, but these remarkably laid-back succulents can also make do in a shady corner. Tall and slender, a snake plant is great for adding an architectural element to a small space. Snake plants don't regularly bloom, but every couple of years they may offer a showing of fragrant, tubular white blooms.

Size: 12 feet tall by 3 feet wide (depending on variety)
Light: Partial light
Soil: Any well-draining mix

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Gollum Jade

This one-of-a-kind succulent is nicknamed after the character Gollum from Lord of the Rings; its cylindrical leaves curl inward. “The leaves are a striking green and can turn red on the tips when exposed to high light. It's a slow grower, but its quirky appearance makes it a fun addition to any collection,” says Kelly Funk, the president of Jackson & Perkins.

Size: Up to 2 feet tall by 1 foot wide
Light: Bright light, can tolerate some shade
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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Hens-and-Chicks

Hens-and-chicks, also known by its botanical name Sempervivum tectorum, is famously low maintenance and does especially well in drought conditions. The mother rosette (aka the "hen") is connected to her "chicks" by a system of small, delicate roots, which are able to penetrate small cracks and thrive in containers, as well as rock gardens.

Size: 3 to 6 inches tall by 6 to 12 inches wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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Black Rose Aeonium

Add a sense of drama to your home with Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop.' "This stunning succulent has almost black, rosette-shaped leaves that contrast beautifully with other succulents' lighter greens and blues," says Funk. "The leaves can turn a deep burgundy color when grown in bright light. It can also produce a tall stem with yellow flowers, adding even more visual interest to this already-striking plant."

Size: 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide
Light: Bright light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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String of Peals

string of pearls — carlofranco / GETTY IMAGES

With long, trailing stems covered in small, bead-like leaves that resemble pearls, it's clear how Senecio rowleyanus got its name. "It's a popular choice for hanging baskets or trailing down shelves," says Funk. "It can be a beautiful addition to a succulent terrarium, too." The succulent also sometimes forms tiny, white blooms that release a cinnamon-like fragrance.

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall by 3 feet long
Light: Bright, indirect light
Soil: Any well-draining mix; well adapted to a cacti or succulent mix

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White Fairy Washboard

A small, low-growing succulent, Haworthia limifolia has spiky green leaves with raised white ridges that create a unique, geometric-like pattern. "It's a slow grower and stays relatively compact, making it an excellent choice for a windowsill or desktop garden," says Funk. "It's also extremely low-maintenance, making it a good choice for beginners."