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If you are already reading this article, it means you are a succulent fan or want to learn more about the distinctive beauty of these special plants. We at the editorial team look forward to seeing you. You've come to the right place, because in a series of interesting articles we report on different succulents and their properties, give you useful care tips and help you to grow these plants at home or outside in the garden. On our website you will find creative decoration ideas with succulents and tips on how to successfully create a terrarium in your own four walls or a rock garden outside. You can also learn a lot about succulents for indoors here. Today we're going to take a look at another group of these plants - outdoor succulents.
Succulents outside decorate the garden and give it an exotic touch
In outdoor areas it is recommended to plant perennial species of these perfect survivors. Among the many succulent species there are those that are definitely hardy. Like everyone else, these succulents are also easy to care for. The plants originally come from the subtropical areas, where it is much warmer than here, and they have developed good storage organs.
They have fleshy leaves and thick trunks, where they perfectly absorb water and easily survive long periods of drought. The succulents like sunny spots outside where the soil is well drained. If you put these exotics directly in the garden and want to form groups of succulents there, you would introduce a strong exotic touch to your outdoor area. Without requiring much attention or effort, the succulents outside will refine your garden look and make the whole outdoor area look even more attractive.
Our tip: Be careful when watering, because the exotic succulent plants can hardly tolerate too much moisture.
Typical "southerners" invade the German gardens
Succulents growing outside in German gardens
Hard hardy succulents are the classics in every Mediterranean Garden. Here with us, these typical "southerners" among the garden plants can easily survive a snowy winter. You don't even need to clear the thick layer of snow during the cold winter months, as this serves as a protective layer for the succulents. But rain and moisture are not good for the plants. Choose a wind-protected, possibly southern slope for them and in this way you create the best conditions for their further development.
The care tips for all succulent species are similar
If you know them well, you shouldn't have any problems taking care of these exotic plants
Our 5 favorite hardy outdoor succulents
To complete the picture, we would like to briefly present the popular outdoor succulents below. This is not just about the well-known stonecrop and the attractive houseleek. We have selected other varieties and want to direct your interest to them.
Echeveria
These are evergreen succulent plants originally from Mexico. These succulent plants owe their name to the Mexican draftsman and illustrator Atanasio Echeverria y Godoy. The plants form well formed leaf rosettes with thick fleshy leaves, often without a stem. Their flowers are real eye-catchers, mostly colored in pink, red, orange or yellow. There are currently Echeveria species that are hardy and have adapted to the cold winter weather in Europe.
Echeveria are exotic succulent plants that defy the cold
Sedum
About 420 species of Sedum are known worldwide. We call these thick-leaved plants stonecrop or stonecrop. These are hardy succulent plants that adorn numerous German gardens every summer.
Sedum species are indispensable in German gardens
Agave
Agaves are showy succulent plants that do well indoors in pots and outdoors in tubs or directly in garden soil. Originally they come from the desert areas of America. Over 200 species are known worldwide. They all stand out mainly because of their thick, sword-shaped, green-colored leaves. However, there are agave species in which the leaves are bluish-green and have white stripes. This discoloration enhances the decorative effect of these succulents. The plants store in their Leave enough water and survive any dry season easily and with ease. We have some hardy species growing here. Outside in the garden they must be planted in a well drained and nutrient poor substrate. However, in order for these exotic species to overwinter well with us, they need a well-protected winter quarters or must be protected outside from the frosty winter weather in northern Europe.
The sword-shaped green colored leaves of the agave are immediately noticeable
Prickly pear (Opuntia)
Last but not least, we show you two cacti that will make your garden look even more exotic. The opuntia is also known under the name prickly pear. The plant originally comes from North and South America, where it has adapted to various temperature fluctuations. In Europe, the cactus has settled in best in the southern Mediterranean areas, but can also be found here. There are species that are hardy and can survive the frosty winter cold in our areas, but in principle this cactus species should overwinter in a sheltered place. The prickly pear cactus adorns the gardens from the beginning of spring, where it thrives at temperatures above 10 degrees C. The prickly pear cactus can reach an enormous height of 5 m and will certainly turn into an eye-catcher in your outdoor area. But beware! It has fine but dangerous thorns! Its flowers are enchantingly beautiful and delicate, usually colored in yellow, pink and orange.
Prickly pear - the definite eye-catcher in the garden
Ball Cactus
The next succulent with thorns is the spherical cactus, popularly known as the mother-in-law's chair or mother-in-law's seat. The ball cactus likes a bright, sunny spot in the garden, direct sunlight is good for it. Only in winter does the exotic need a cool place where the temperature is around 10 degrees. At the beginning of the cold winter time, its dormant period begins, so watering and fertilizing must be stopped. In addition, the ball cactus is considered to be easy to care for, it is even well suited for beginners in garden art.
Design your garden as interesting and diverse as possible
Make your garden as interesting and diverse as possible with hardy succulents
Outdoor succulents are usually expressive and hardy plants
Their thick-fleshed leaves are mostly green, but can also have a different colour
The succulents outside can be planted individually or in groups
In both cases they are always very striking
Robust, hardy and yet eye-catching!
Discover the limitless world of succulents!
