The Best Beginner Succulents & Their Levels of Care

Growing succulents — especially without little experience — can be a tricky thing. Because there are so many different types to choose from, each with varying levels of care, it’s hard to know how to start building your perfect terrarium or succulent garden. 

The basics may seem obvious: plenty of sunlight, not too much water, and proper drainage. But there’s a lot more that goes into helping your succulents thrive.

Luckily for all of you aspiring gardeners out there, we put together this comprehensive guide to the most common (and some of our favorite) types of beginner succulents and how to care for them.

Echeveria

Each variant of echeveria are some of the most low-maintenance succulents, so they’re perfect for beginners. They require very little attention and maintenance once they’re planted.

Here are the basics of echeveria care:

• Plant your echeveria in well-draining soil, like cactus potting soil — you can also add coarse sand to a basic potting mix for better drainage. Planting echeveria in a terra-cotta or unglazed pot with drainage holes can also help absorb excess moisture.

• Avoid overwatering your echeveria — this can cause root rot and attract mealybugs. You should thoroughly soak the soil, then allow it to dry completely before watering again. Average humidity and temperature is fine for this little plant.

• Repot your echeveria if it outgrows its home. Most echeveria plants do not require repotting very often, but if you notice your plant has outgrown its container, gently remove it and clear away soil from its roots before placing it in a new container with fresh cactus potting mix.

Trailing Senecios (Trailing Jade)

A lush, drought-tolerant succulent, trailing jade is both easy to care for and beautiful to look at — perfect for gardeners with any level of experience.

For best results when growing trailing jade, make sure you have these three basics covered:

• Like most succulents, trailing jade thrives with plenty of light. Place your trailing senecios in a place that gets full sun or light shade, like a windowsill.

• When shopping for a potting mix, choose sandy, well-draining soil. The sand mimics the trailing jade’s natural habitat, and perlite or similar materials help aerate the potting mix and reduce the risk of root rot.

• Refrain from overwatering your trailing jade. About once a week, insert your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle to check the moisture level. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Haworthia

The Haworthia is a miniature succulent native to South Africa, easily recognized by its rosette-shaped, tightly-packed leafy clusters. It’s another low-maintenance houseplant that is perfect for beginners.

Here are the haworthia care basics:

• Haworthia need bright light and adequate moisture in the summer but can withstand relatively drier conditions in the winter. Average humidity and temperatures work great for this plant — if you’re comfortable, chances are it is too!

• Avoid overwatering, but don’t let them dry out entirely like the other types we’ve discussed — only water when the soil feels somewhere in between damp and dry.

• Haworthia do best in areas with sheltered sunlight, like a windowsill. They can be grown in various types of containers, but it's best to choose a terra-cotta or unglazed pot with drainage holes to help absorb excess moisture.

Sempervivum

Sempervivum are one of the most low-maintenance succulents there are — but their lovely rosettes and hardy nature make them standouts in any garden. 

Here’s how to help your sempervivum grow back better and better every season:

• Sempervivum plants prefer well-draining compost with 25 to 50% sand or grit to help with drainage. They can grow in almost any container — trays, in-ground, in-wood, or rock piles.

• Most sempervivum variants are frost-hardy and can grow in almost any environment. All you need to do is plant it in a pot and let it be. Only water as the soil dries out; otherwise, you run the risk of root rot.

• Sempervivum are monocarpic, meaning that once a rosette flowers, it dies. When this happens, pull out the dead rosette and fill the hole with gritty soil. The rest of the plant will quickly fill the empty spots with newly-grown offsets.

No matter your plant-care experience level, Shop Succulents has the perfect options for your home, apartment, or office space. We have an extensive selection of succulents, cacti, house plants, air plants, planters, and more — all with free same-day shipping.