If you live in Southern California, you can find many beautiful succulents that can thrive in the climate. Here are some of the best succulents for southern California: Aloes, Crassula ovata, Euphorbia tiruralli, Portulacaria, and Sempervivum sempervirens. All of these succulents are easy to grow and will add a splash of color to any outdoor space.
Aloes
There are several varieties of aloes available in the southern California landscape. Common aloes are very easy to grow and can tolerate almost any kind of climate. Their large, rubbery leaves vary in texture, from stiff and rough to smooth and soft. Some species have thorns or marginal teeth. Aloes are popular landscaping plants in southern California and in other relatively frost-free climates.
For plant lovers, the best place to get aloes is the UC Davis campus. There are many aloes on campus, including sidewalk beds in front of the Botanical Conservatory. The UC Botanical Garden has some of the best displays of aloes in the nation. The Desert Garden at the Huntington in San Marino near Pasadena is another popular location for aloes.
The fan aloe, or A. plicatilis, is a popular succulent for southern California. It can reach about 9 feet in height, with flowers that rise high above the plant in late winter and early spring. This plant is about eight feet tall, and its foliage falls cleanly off the trunk. The fan-like flowers are orange or scarlet in color, and the leaves are toothy. The flowers hang on unbranched flower stems.
Torch aloe is one of the biggest Aloes and grows in full sun along the coast and in shade inland. This Aloe is cold-hardy and can be trained to form a bonsai-like structure. Its dark green leaves and orange flowers make it an excellent landscape plant. Despite the hardiness of Torch Aloe, it requires very little water and is a great screen plant.
Crassula ovata
This evergreen shrubby plant has a low water requirement, and thrives in a dry landscape. Its thick, deep green leaves are oval in shape and one to two inches long. Its thick, aged-looking trunk can reach up to eight feet tall. If you’re interested in growing your own Crassula ovata succulents, read on for more information.
There are several varieties of Crassula ovati. The common Jade plant, Crassula ovata, is an ornamental variety with lemon-yellow-colored leaves. Both varieties are drought-tolerant, and they do best in bright light. If they’re growing in a bright spot, prune them as needed to remove dead or brown leaves.
This succulent is a succulent native to South Africa. It can be grown in dry, rocky conditions. Its adaxial leaves have hydathodes, which help it retain water. It also grows well in shade or full sun. If your soil is too acidic, you can cut the stems back aggressively to encourage branch growth. If you’re unsure of whether or not Crassula ovata is a good choice for your home, check with a local succulent expert before purchasing one.
The thorny azalea is an upright shrub with a thick stem. It grows to about 2.5 meters in height. The base of the plant is sparsely branched or forms one main trunk. The leaves of the azalea are green, fleshy, and tinged with red, depending on the light available to the plant. The new stems are highly succulent and will eventually turn brown as they mature. The lower leaves will drop naturally.
Euphorbia tiruralli
Hundreds of species of Euphorbia are native to Southern California, and dozens more are now available as succulents. Each species contains a latex-like sap that can be irritating to the skin. Avoid touching this plant if at all possible. In addition, you should avoid handling the plant while it is still in the semi-mature stage. It will bleed if handled incorrectly.
This beautiful, spineless plant grows to up to 30 feet tall. The foliage is green, and the young branches are gray, like tree bark. The flowers are inconsequential, and the plant produces few or no blooms. The flowers are insignificant and borne on the short branches in candelabra pattern. The fruit of this plant is produced from late November to December and is a pale-green capsule. The seed is smooth and has a white line around its hilum.
Another succulent suitable for southern California climates is the Sticks on Fire euphorbia. This plant has white milky sap that can be irritating to skin and eyes. When cut, it bleeds copious amounts of sap, which can burn the skin and even the eyes. It is therefore not suitable for planting near walkways or pets. This plant is poisonous to humans and dogs, so be sure to use a protective mask when handling it.
Portulacaria
Portulacaria are a class of succulents that grow well in a variety of conditions. They are also known as elephant bushes or prickly pear. They enjoy bright, filtered sunlight. The elephant bushes are especially well suited to southern California, where they can grow in almost any type of soil. These plants also enjoy a range of different light conditions, including shade.
The plant is native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is semi-evergreen and grows eight to fifteen feet high. The foliage is small and contrasting, half-to-three-inches long. The branches, which grow stiff and heavy, mature to a grayish color with woody inside tissues. They may break off from the plant and produce new plants. A popular succulent for southern California is the Japanese maple.
Portulacaria Afra’s leaves drop off in response to drought or overwatering. This is their natural survival mechanism, and they do not tolerate many types of pesticides, so make sure to test them first on a few leaves before using them. In addition, mealybugs may be a problem. Make sure to read up on how to identify mealybugs in the soil.
The succulent is a diverse group and not all of them require the same light or water. It thrives in poor soil conditions, is relatively easy to transplant, and can add architectural interest to your outdoor space. Agave attenuata is a common staple in Southern California gardens. However, large plants can be expensive so you may want to harvest them from a neighbor’s yard. In this case, you may want to consider growing smaller versions of your favorite succulent to save money.
Blue Agave
Planting Blue Agave succulents in southern California can be challenging, because they don’t tolerate too much sunlight. In general, they need at least 8 hours of direct sun per day, but can tolerate more sunlight as they mature. If you can’t get adequate rainfall, water them thoroughly once or twice a month. Once they’ve been planted, agaves don’t require much care. Watering them once a week in summer is sufficient, and once or twice a month in winter.
While agaves appear related to a large number of cacti, they are actually distinct and distinctive. They have rosy-toned leaves and sharp spines. Agaves have no flowers or fruit, but they can self-propagate. Depending on the cultivar, they can grow from a small plant to a massive tree. For southern California, you may want to choose American Agave or Blue Agave.
A few basic agave care tips will ensure success. Blue Agave succulents can tolerate rocky, sandy, or arid soil. Plants should be planted in spring or early fall. You should allow ample room for them to grow and spread out. Aim to give them adequate space, because overwatering can cause leaf rot. Overwatering can result in fungal root rot, and heavy winter rains can lead to rotting leaves.
Sedum
When it comes to planting a succulent garden, choosing the best ones can be challenging. The best plants for this climate are those that need little maintenance and thrive in a sunny, warm location. You can choose to grow plants in pots or grow them in a rock garden. If you don’t have much space, consider sedums, which are great for small gardens because they spread their roots from all parts of the plant that touch the soil. They’re hardy and can tolerate hot temperatures, little moisture, and even frost.
Succulents can be difficult to grow in the heat of southern California, but the good news is that they are extremely hardy. They have waxy leaves that keep moisture in, and their deep roots allow them to endure harsh conditions without overwatering. In addition, their spongy leaves can seal their pores so that they don’t lose water through respiration. This means that you can cut plants from these plants and replant them or give them to a friend. Be sure to let cuttings heal for several days before planting them.
If you want to grow succulents in southern California, you need to choose plants that thrive in this climate. Many succulents have dramatic flower spikes and make great additions to any garden. Additionally, these plants are drought-tolerant. Despite the recent drought, California residents should plan ahead for it. This climate is almost perfect for succulent gardens. But you should know that they can’t survive in every area. In this article, we’ve listed the best succulents for southern California for your garden.