Cold Hardy Succulents That Thrive in Cooler Climates

Adding succulents to your garden can be a wonderful choice, especially if you are dealing with cooler weather conditions. These beautiful plants can bring a touch of nature to your space even in colder temperatures. Discover a selection of cold-hardy succulents recommended by gardening expert Paige Foley for their ability to flourish in cooler hardiness zones.

Succulents are versatile plants that can thrive both indoors and outdoors, making them ideal for various environments. Their natural resilience to harsh conditions, often found in desert or tropical areas, makes them an excellent option even for those new to gardening.

While many succulents are typically associated with warmer climates, some are surprisingly equipped to withstand and even thrive in colder regions, including those in the United States. These cold-hardy succulents are adaptable to freezing temperatures and can bounce back when warmer weather returns.

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Within the vast world of succulent species, only a handful can withstand the challenges of colder environments. Fortunately, these hardy succulents are equipped to endure freezing conditions and emerge revitalized when the spring arrives.

If you’re unsure about which succulents are best suited for colder climates where temperatures can plummet below freezing, fret no more! In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some top cold-hardy succulents that can thrive in various settings, from rock beds and landscapes to containers and indoor spaces.

Sempervivum ‘Pluto’

Pluto Succulent — ‘Pluto’ is known for its resilience in extreme temperatures, thriving in both heat and cold.

	Sun Requirements Full to partial sun
	Height 1-3 inches
	Hardiness Zones 3-11

Featuring large rosettes with deep green tones and dark purple tips, ‘Pluto’ is a stunning succulent that forms clusters of small and large rosettes. Whether in rock gardens, wall crevices, or terracotta pots, this plant will add beauty throughout the year.

Aside from its ability to withstand cold temperatures, ‘Pluto’ can also endure extreme heat. Although it thrives in summer, the plant’s dormancy during winter aids its survival, while the snow acts as insulation against severe weather conditions.

Sedum ‘Atlantis’

Atlantis Sedum — This low-growing succulent showcases variegated leaves and produces star-shaped yellow flowers.

	Optimal Sun Exposure Full Sun
	Plant Height 4-6 inches
	Suitable Hardiness Zones 4-10

With small dark green leaves and wide creamy yellow margins, this variegated succulent blooms bright yellow flowers in summer. The plant’s margins may blush in colder temperatures during late fall.

Great for rock gardens or landscapes, this low-growing succulent forms neat clumps. Thriving in full sun and well-draining soils, this variety excels with minimal care, benefitting from neglect.

Delosperma ‘Banana Blast’

Close-up of Banana Blast plant that features fleshy, banana-shaped leaves with a glossy texture. Its green stems, twigs, and branches are thin and wiry, and produce small, daisy-like flowers in shades of bright yellow with white centers. — The evergreen succulent ‘banana blast’ is ideal for decorative gardens, rock gardens, or locations near water features.

	Sunlight Needs Full Sun
	Plant Height 6-8 inches
	Suitable Hardiness Zones 5-10

Delosperma ‘Banana Blast’ features yellow daisy-like blooms from early summer to early fall, covering the plant with profuse flowers. This heat and drought-tolerant succulent thrives in various locations, making it a perfect choice for gardens with extreme summer conditions.

Referred to as Orostachys furusei, this succulent species attracts various pollinators such as bees and butterflies, allowing them to serve as a valuable addition to any pollinator garden. Moreover, they possess the advantage of being deer-resistant!

Orostachys furusei

Two succulent plants displaying rosettes of fleshy, pointed leaves tinted in a blue-green shade and coated with a powdery texture. These grow on a rocky brown surface. — During active growth stages, propagate ‘Furusei’ to foster a dense ground cover.

	sunlight requirements Full Sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

Featuring small rosettes with thick grey to brown leaves, Orostachys furusei is a succulent that grows at a deliberate pace but ultimately forms an aesthetically pleasing mat of rosettes. During the autumn season, expect the succulent to produce striking towers of yellow flowers.

Throughout the spring and summer, this plant is in an active growth phase, gradually developing into a dense ground cover. Optimal propagation occurs during the growing period, presenting an economical method to cultivate more of this cherished plant.

Sempervivum ‘Corsair’

	sunlight requirements Full to partial sun
	height 1-3 inches

	hardiness zones 3-11

One succulent variety, ‘Corsair,’ is remarkable for its rosettes with prickly leaves. These medium-sized rosettes grow densely in clusters and transition from green to a beautiful deep reddish-pink color as they mature.

‘Corsair’ exhibits great resilience to dry conditions, maintaining its vibrant colors even during summer heat, making it a standout against the backdrop of drying lawns. Typically, the natural rainfall in the area should provide sufficient moisture for ‘Corsair’. Ensure to watch for signs of drought stress, like wilting and leaf browning.

Orostachys japonica

Japonica forms small rosettes, each composed of numerous fleshy, pointed leaves that are light green in color and have a slightly hairy texture. It grows in rocky soil in a warm environment. — Being monocarpic, Rock Pine just bears one little white blossom before dying.

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

Also known as Rock Pine, this succulent presents dense rosettes in shades ranging from grey to green and white to red. In winter, its color transforms to a deep red before it produces a small white flower, marking the end of its life cycle.

While Rock Pine is monocarpic, its offsets swiftly replace the parent plant, seamlessly continuing its legacy. Embrace the natural process of the plant’s life cycle, appreciating the beauty it brings.

Sedum album

Album plants have tiny, rounded, olive-green leaves that form rosettes. Its green stems are thin and wiry. The plant is being grown in a round brown pot. — This is a drought-tolerant, fast-growing succulent ideal for ground cover or border planting in full sun.

	Sun Requirements Full Sun
	Height 3-5 inches
	Hardiness Zones 4-10

Sedum album is a wonderful succulent that grows low and spreads rapidly, making it ideal for ground cover or borders. It thrives in full sun and is resistant to drought. The plant’s foliage ranges from green to purple to red, with thick, fleshy leaves that help it withstand long periods without water. When stressed, the red hues intensify, and in mid-summer, the plant blossoms with small, white star-like flowers.

Ruschia pulvinaris

Shrubby Ice Plants have vibrant pink-purple flowers. Its stalks are covered in tiny, fleshy green leaves that are cylindrical in shape. — With well-draining soil and full sun, Ruschia Pulvinaris may grow successfully.

The Shrubby Ice Plant, also known as Ruschia pulvinaris, is a frost-resistant succulent groundcover. Its branchy stems bear long, firm leaves with a blue-green smooth texture. If observed closely, the leaves exhibit a pattern of tiny dots. It blooms profusely with magenta flowers during the growing season, best thriving in full sun and well-draining soils tailored for succulents to enhance drainage and avert root rot.