There are very few people out there who have not been swept up by the succulent craze in recent years. Not only do they make excellent additions to your home, your garden, and even your office desk, but they are also low-maintenance and hardy. For others, though, the draw is that they come in just as many colours as your average flower arrangement. If you’re part of the latter group, then this article is for you. We’re going to introduce you to the most colorful succulents you have ever laid eyes on. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Disclosure: This article was partly written with the assistance of AI and humanly edited.
Why the colours on succulent plants?
The colours on succulents include the deepest forest greens, teals, purples, pinks, reds, oranges, and silver-blues. They provide camouflage, serve as water storage, and shield from the harsh sun. Understanding the reasons behind the colours of succulent plants makes you enjoy them even more.
The Role of Color
Different roles may be played by the colors of succulents:
- Their bright, showy flowers attract pollinators and allow the succulent to reproduce.
- They protect against predators due to toxic compounds.
- They play a role in sun protection by reducing light and UV radiation.
- They have to do with water conservation by helping to prevent evaporation by covering the plant in a waxy film that can make it shine.
Common Brightly Colored Succulent Families
Knowing which succulent families we are discussing is crucial to discussing their full color range.
The Crassulaceae
A family of dicots, also known as the stonecrop or orpine family, is succulent, herbaceous, and mostly perennial, with fleshy leaves and stems. This is the family with the many popular, colorful succulents, often with thick, water-storing leaves and lots of rosettes. Kalanchoe and Echeveria, with their brightly colored and often bi-colored leaves, are part of this family.
Cactus family
Cacti are probably the best known of the succulents, and many have very colorful flowers and stems. The Opuntia cacti, or prickly pear, are very colorful too, and are red, green, and even purple.
Rainbow in Your Garden
Want a colorful succulent garden? Choose different colors! Here are some colorful succulents.
Red Hot Beauties
Red is the color of passion and energy. It is served well in the succulent world with the almost black rosettes of the Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ and the fire engine red flowers of the Gymnocalycium cacti.
Verde the Envy
Green is the dominant color of the plant world, and succulents are no exception. Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’ flaunts minty-green leaves tinged with lilac, while the Moon Cactus sports a bold teal green.
Gold Standard
Add some sunshine to your garden with yellow and gold succulents. Sedum ‘Golden Glow’ has yellow, shining leaves, and Notocactus cacti have golden spines.
Pretty in Pink
Echeveria ‘Mira’ is a dusty pink succulent that can border on purple in certain lights, and the ‘Blue Mist’ Echeveria has a soft pink blush on its blue-grey leaves.
The Purple Patch
Rich purples add a sense of dignity to borders. Aeonium ‘Velour’ is on the left and Echeveria ‘Afterglow’, a deeper lavender-pink that turns purple in the late light, is on the right.
Oranges and More …
Aloe ‘Pink Blush’ is a beautiful orange with a bit of pink in it, and Haworthia cooperi leaves get an orange blush on them depending on the light. And, of course, for a variety of bloom colors, you can’t beat cactus.
Kaleidoscope of color
It’s one of the fun things to do when growing succulents, to create as many different, colorful combinations as possible. Succulents are just as beautiful, if not more beautiful, when planted in groups. The colors blended together can be gorgeous.
We Love Color!
One way to create a show stopper is to pair two plants that are on opposite sides of the color wheel. Echeveria ‘Neon Breakers’ and ‘Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ are a soothing and gorgeous color match. The mint and rosy tones in Echeveria ‘Neon Breakers’ are brought out with the maroon of Aeonium ‘Sunburst’.
Mixing Texture
Use different textures and forms, such as Graptopetalum Mendoza (round, fleshy leaves) with Agave victoriae-reginae (architectural, spiny).
Seasonal Color
Many succulents display seasonal color changes as they mature. Understanding this means you can plan a garden that has something to offer at any given time of the year.
Helpful resource: https://www.botanicgardens.org
The Verdict
Succulents are available in a variety of colors and can be a great way to add some whimsy to your garden. The color will deepen or lighten based on the season and the amount of sun your succulents are getting. The arrangement ideas and beauty are limitless! You can have color in your garden 365 days a year. With the right plants and care, you can achieve this. If you desire a calming garden, you can achieve a calming color palette. If you desire to have lots of energy in your garden, the options are limitless. Happy planting!
