If you want to grow succulents in cold climate, you should know that they are very easy to maintain. But as with any plant, they need the right weather to thrive. Moisture and extreme temperatures are the two greatest enemies of succulents. Different types of succulents are more resistant to cold weather than others, but they all suffer from warm temperatures. The best succulents for cold weather are those that are hardier and more resilient.
Orostachys
Orostachys plants are native to Japan’s mountains. They prefer well-drained soil and partial or full sunlight. These plants grow three to four inches tall and five inches across, making them ideal for small, open areas. Water them daily during the growing season, and dormancy can be prolonged by providing them with ample moisture. You can buy Orostachys plants at local nurseries or online.
Another type of Orostachys succulents that do well in cold weather is the genus Orostachys. The plant’s common name, Sempervivum, means “always alive.” Its hardiness is reflected in its pink ice flower, which can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°C. Its flowering period typically runs from October to April, with peak flowering between December and February. This plant grows well in rock gardens, but it can also be easily grown on a windowsill.
This genus is a fast-growing rosette-forming succulent that will survive in the coldest of climates. Like Sempervivum, Orostachys plants are prone to freezing temperatures, but are easily propagated from cuttings and cold stratification. The plants have flowers of varying sizes that are usually white or pink. Their small flowers grow on a short, conical spike that can be up to twelve inches long.
Another type of Orostachys succulents is the Queen Victoria Agave. It has attractive blue-green blooms in late spring, and needs little watering other than when the soil is dry. Queen Victoria Agave, which is not hardy enough for outdoor gardens, can grow to just below freezing. They grow to about 12 inches (30 cm) in height, and can tolerate a low of 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sedum
If you live in a cold climate, the best succulents for cold weather are those that don’t need to be replanted every year. Some of these plants are perennials, while others are annuals. Succulents that are good for cold weather include Sempervivum calcareum, which grows as a mat and spreads by short-stalked offsets. Other cold-resistant succulents include Sempervivum Fuldaglut, which has copper-green leaves that turn salmon pink in winter. Both plants are cold-hardy, and they are good for container gardening and rock gardens.
When it comes to choosing the best succulents for cold weather, it’s important to know the zones in which they grow. In Florida, for instance, temperatures can climb to 70 degrees during the day. If your climate is colder, you can plant succulents outdoors in your yard, and the following temperature ranges are ideal. These temperatures are ideal for most succulents. If the cold weather is very severe, you can bring them inside.
Another good choice is Sempervivum, a large genus of heat and drought-resistant plants. These plants multiply by clustering baby chicks near the mother plant. They can reach up to 8 inches (20cm) in width and are easy to grow. They can tolerate partial shade and drought. If you’d like a plant with a bright yellow bloom, you can try the Jovibarba heuffelii.
Another good option for cold-weather-tolerant succulents is snow covers. These can be purchased online or from a garden supply store. You can also plant these plants in bushel baskets. Remember that these plants still need sun and air circulation so don’t try to keep them in a pot with a solid bottom. And make sure that you protect them from frost with a snow cover! But most important, make sure they’re getting enough light and water!
Sedum ‘Spring Beauty’
If you want to grow your succulents in cold weather, consider these cold-hardy plants. These plants are perfect for the winter and can survive temperatures as low as -37 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a sunny location, you can plant these succulents outdoors in pots. They tolerate temperatures in the 20s F range. In addition, they grow in ground covers. These succulents are very colorful and are great for ground covers.
There are many varieties of Sedum, a large genus that contains as many as 600 species. Some cultivators refer to Sedum as a stonecrop. This variety has purple foliage and a long blooming season. The leaves are small and fat, with rounded tips. They are quite drought-tolerant and attractive. Their foliage turns a gorgeous purple when they mature and the flowers are small and pretty.
‘Parry’s Agave’ is a cool-weather succulent that can survive temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant’s stems are rounded and toothless, with maroon-colored tips. It grows to be around two feet tall and can handle temperatures up to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant can be propagated by cuttings or by cold stratification.
If you’re growing succulents in cold weather, don’t worry. There are many varieties that can withstand cold weather. They come from all over the world, and they thrive in a variety of climates. However, some of them can’t handle frost, so you must be prepared to protect them from extreme temperatures. In this case, you’ll want to grow hardy succulents in pots.
Sedum ‘Pacific Blue Ice’
Sempervivum ‘Pacific Blue Ice’ is a stunning mat-forming succulent that features icy blue-green rosettes with rosy highlights in cold weather. Usually shipped bare root, this plant has an established root system. Rosettes form from the base of the mother rosette and grow into spreading clumps. It is drought-tolerant and grows well in full to part sun.
Pacific Blue Ice is native to the Pacific Northwest, but it is also a hardy plant that is well-adapted to cooler climates. The leaves are a deep blue-green with rosy centers, and they make beautiful plant accents in rock gardens and rockeries. It has long, sprawling stems and a variety of colors and forms. Its foliage and stems resemble that of a blue spruce conifer.
Another excellent selection for winter gardens is the Sedum ‘Red-Tinted Stonecrop. With needle-like leaves, it is drought-tolerant and makes a great accent in container planting. It thrives in well-drained soil but needs little water once it’s established. When growing in pots, this perennial will spread and form colorful clumps.
Another excellent option for plants tolerant of cold weather is the Turquoise Tails’ Sedum. This succulent is cold hardy, and is able to survive temperatures as low as twenty degrees Fahrenheit. It can be grown outdoors in mild to moderate climates, although it requires a sunny location. This succulent also grows well in partial shade, which makes it suitable for gardens in cold climates.
Sempervivum ‘Spring Beauty’ is another cold-tolerant succulent. This evergreen plant grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and forms a spreading mat of succulent foliage. Its starry pink flowers are an added bonus in the spring and summer months. It prefers gravelly, well-drained soil and is drought-resistant. Its pink flowers are a striking contrast to its gray-green foliage. It needs little water, and will spread by offsets.
Parry’s agave
If you want a plant that will survive the cold winters, consider a Parry’s agave. Its leaves are gray with maroon tips, making it similar to an artichoke. It can tolerate low temperatures down to 0degF. It produces a 12-foot stalk of yellow flowers. It can survive cold temperatures, but they will not tolerate high temperatures. It is propagated through offsets and seeds.
This plant grows to be about half a foot tall and half a foot wide, and its leaves are a grey green. Its leaves are spined at the tip, with dark threads running throughout the leaf’s margin. Native to the deserts of Mexico, New Mexico, and extreme western Texas, agaves prefer full to part-sun conditions. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 10degF.
The Parry’s agave looks great in groups of three and next to a boulder. It can tolerate cold weather in certain areas, but it looks especially good indoors where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. This plant is native to the southern states and northern Mexico, but it is hardy anywhere from 10 degF to -20 degrees. If you have an extreme winter, it may be best to bring it indoors to protect it from the cold.
There are several types of Parry’s agave. The ‘Blue Elf’ is the most popular selection, and grows as high as 6 feet tall and eight to ten feet wide. It is an excellent indoor plant and is best suited to dry areas. But if you’re worried about cold weather, you can also grow the ‘Octopus’ variety.
