You may have heard of succulent plants before, but more than likely are unaware of what a succulent is. Is it a flower? A leafy vegetable? The curious among you may be surprised to hear that a “succulent” plant is not a single species of plant but instead, a name given to a variety of plants with broad, fleshy stems, roots, leaves, etc. Succulent plants grow in arid conditions and since water is scarce the fleshy parts of the plant retain water. Because they are normally engorged with water, succulents got their name from the Latin word “sucus” meaning juice or sap. The most famous succulent around is the aloe. With it’s large, curved leaves this lovely ornamental plant looks more like the gaping maw of some strange creature than a plant but is easy to grow and its sap is reported to have a healing, or at least cooling, effect.
Now that you have an idea about succulents, you might think they’re boring, being mostly large, squishy leaves with no flowers or color to speak of. This of course if false as not only do plenty of succulents grow flowers, but also come in a wide array of colors. If you like the idea of an attractive and robust plant consider red succulents. If you’re unsure of which red succulents are right for you, or that there were red succulents, to begin with, we’ve prepared a list of our nine favorite red succulents. Maybe one will catch your fancy, or maybe you’ll want to add all of them to your home!
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1) Sempervivum Heuffelii Chocolate Sundae’
Picture via mercurynews
These lovely succulents go under many different names including “Jobs Beard”. These are a cold-hardy species and outside of excess watering unlikely to die. They retain their lovely red-and-green color year-round and will start to form little “colonies” on their own without any assistance. Soil fit for succulents and cactus are perfect for these hardy and lovely plants.
2) Echeveria Agavoides Romeo’
Picture via pasiora
Also called the “Romeo Wax Agave”, this is another great decorative plant for your home and garden. It’s colored range from shades of reds to purples. Like all red succulents, these are hardy plants that don’t need much attention. With a little water, sunlight, and soil for succulents, they will thrive in your home.
3) Crassula Capitella Red Pagoda’
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A very eye-catching red succulent. Unlike most other succulents, the Red Pagoda forms “towers” of triangular leaves, given them a resemblance to the pagoda towers. The inner parts of the leaves are green contrasting with the darker red of the outer leaves. Native to South Africa, this succulent thrives on sunlight. If this plant appeals to you, you’ll be pleased to know it’ll be right at home next to a sunny window.
4) Sempervivum ‘Red Lion’
Picture via sempervivum-liste
Similar to the Romeo from above, what makes the Red Lion different is the small hairs that grow among the leave thus giving the succulent a “lion” moniker. Easy to grow, like most red succulents, Red Lions can thrive in the cold and while they’ll grow fine indoor they look their best when outside. If you have any deer in your neighborhood you’ll be pleased to know that they will avoid Red Lions.
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5) Aloe Christmas Sleigh’
Picture via Etzy
The classic succulent, this morph of Aloe features a very striking dark-green leaf color with thorns that can range from bright red to even orange! Aloes are very forgiving plants that need strong sunlight to fully thrive but are hardy non-the-less. If you want an aloe and want something more eye-catching, you can’t go wrong with the Christmas Sleigh. They also make great Christmas gifts!
6) Sedum Rubrotinctum Aurora’
Picture via succulentplantcare
Also called “Pink Jelly Bean”, these plants produce plump, fleshy leaves that spiral up the stem. Each one is green with a tip that’s a lovely pink color, hence its name. A plant that’s very cute, to say the least, these work as fantastic accent plants when paired with other succulents or even other red succulents. These little plants, however, are not cold-resistant so when cold months come they should be brought inside.
7) Euphorbia Trigona Royal Red’
Picture via plantsguru
An unusual succulent, these grow lovely bright red leaves on its broad stem. Also called the “African Milk Tree”, a well-cared-for Royal Red can eventually reach two meters in height or expand out into a shrub. A lover of bright light and easy to care for, it’s said this succulent is a good luck charm. Seeing how easy it can grow and expand make sure to gift your loved ones with it. There will be plenty to go around!
8) Mammillaria Spinosissima Red-Headed Irishman’
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While not looking like the head of an Irishman, these plants are actually cacti. While it might seem odd to put it on a list of succulents, cacti do technically count as succulents. These lovely cacti will produce bright red-to-pink flowers during the blooming season and are easy to care for like most cacti and succulents. If you wanted to show your friends that cactus can bloom flowers, the Red-Headed Irishman is perfect for you!
9) Tillansia Ionantha Air Plant’
Picture via airplantsupplyco
Lastly is the Air Plant, which grows long, tender leaves. While normally silvery-green in color, the leaves will become a brilliant shade of red during the blooming season and grow a lovely violet flower. Air Plants are small, adorably round, and very forgiving to first-time plant owners. While they live in hot conditions like the other red succulents, these plants are from hot and humid environments. Regular misting will go a long way for these plants to thrive.
