Top 10 Succulents for Subtropical Gardens
Succulents that are gorgeously coloured, textural, easy to grow and can add a focal point or variety to your garden ... all year long
We all know that succulents are drought tolerant and thrive on very little love and attention, but they have many other wonderful virtues, too. Succulents and their allies are perfect as focal points, mass planted or combined in pots; spiky succulents act as extra security or as a deterrent to animals; and they are cost effective because they are easily propagated – I frequently pluck pups from my garden to share with friends and clients. While some succulents are better off left to grow in a Mediterranean climate or desert-type conditions, there are many that live and thrive in the subtropical regions of Australia – my top 10 picks are below!
2. Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis sp.)
Mistletoe cactus is an epiphytic cacti with a draping nature, perfect for hanging. It is pictured above, spilling over the edge of the pot. I was intrigued by Rhipsalis sp. after reading an article on the plant online. I put an order into my local nursery who then supplied me with five different varieties. I have since planted them into hanging pots and vertical gardens and am happy to report they are all thriving.
STAR QUALITY: Looks great in hanging baskets or in pots that require spill
Design ideas for sculptural succulents
Mistletoe cactus is an epiphytic cacti with a draping nature, perfect for hanging. It is pictured above, spilling over the edge of the pot. I was intrigued by Rhipsalis sp. after reading an article on the plant online. I put an order into my local nursery who then supplied me with five different varieties. I have since planted them into hanging pots and vertical gardens and am happy to report they are all thriving.
STAR QUALITY: Looks great in hanging baskets or in pots that require spill
Design ideas for sculptural succulents
Photo by Flickr user Margaret Donald
3. Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
Pigface, with its gorgeous pink flowers and fleshy leaves, is an attractive ground cover useful for binding sandy soils. It is a creeping succulent pioneer that is endemic to NSW and Queensland beaches. In its native environment, it acts to stabilise sand dunes but can also be grown successfully in a well-drained sunny position in the garden.
STAR QUALITY: Is a native plant that will stabilise sandy soil
More true-blue native plants that do us proud
3. Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
Pigface, with its gorgeous pink flowers and fleshy leaves, is an attractive ground cover useful for binding sandy soils. It is a creeping succulent pioneer that is endemic to NSW and Queensland beaches. In its native environment, it acts to stabilise sand dunes but can also be grown successfully in a well-drained sunny position in the garden.
STAR QUALITY: Is a native plant that will stabilise sandy soil
More true-blue native plants that do us proud
4. Echevaria
In this pot, Echavaria ‘Afterglow’ is a star plant and is surrounded by Agaves and chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae). Echevarias are a beautiful group of succulents that are like little jewels – their colour and size vary throughout the group but all have a distinct rosette shape. They grow and flower during the summer, while winter’s cooler weather encourages more pronounced colour in their leaves. They are drought hardy once established but thrive with adequate water during their growing season, which suits the humid summers and dry winters of the subtropics well.
STAR QUALITY: Can be used as focal planting in a succulent bed or pot
In this pot, Echavaria ‘Afterglow’ is a star plant and is surrounded by Agaves and chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae). Echevarias are a beautiful group of succulents that are like little jewels – their colour and size vary throughout the group but all have a distinct rosette shape. They grow and flower during the summer, while winter’s cooler weather encourages more pronounced colour in their leaves. They are drought hardy once established but thrive with adequate water during their growing season, which suits the humid summers and dry winters of the subtropics well.
STAR QUALITY: Can be used as focal planting in a succulent bed or pot
5. Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade plant (the tallest succulent pictured) is an attractive low shrub with a thick woody trunk and shiny ovate leaves. Jade plant is easy to grow and has amazing longevity. It prefers a well-drained sunny position but will tolerate a range of conditions. It spreads slowly but spontaneously by way of dropped leaves and stems that take root. Jade plant requires little water and attention, making it a great succulent for the horticulturally challenged, but will, actually, look its best with ample summer watering.
STAR QUALITY: Compact and lives long
Jade plant (the tallest succulent pictured) is an attractive low shrub with a thick woody trunk and shiny ovate leaves. Jade plant is easy to grow and has amazing longevity. It prefers a well-drained sunny position but will tolerate a range of conditions. It spreads slowly but spontaneously by way of dropped leaves and stems that take root. Jade plant requires little water and attention, making it a great succulent for the horticulturally challenged, but will, actually, look its best with ample summer watering.
STAR QUALITY: Compact and lives long
6. Aloe
While many of us have an Aloe vera tucked into our herb garden for its well-known healing properties, most will not be aware that there are over 500 different types of Aloes available worldwide. The fan aloe (Aloe picatilis), pictured above, with its attractive grey-green leaves, is distinguished by its unique fan-like arrangement. It is a fine example of the interesting structural Aloe species available. Keep your eyes open for some exceptional winter flowering hybrid varieties for sale in nurseries, such as Aloe ‘Big Red’.
STAR QUALITY: Attractive and functional
While many of us have an Aloe vera tucked into our herb garden for its well-known healing properties, most will not be aware that there are over 500 different types of Aloes available worldwide. The fan aloe (Aloe picatilis), pictured above, with its attractive grey-green leaves, is distinguished by its unique fan-like arrangement. It is a fine example of the interesting structural Aloe species available. Keep your eyes open for some exceptional winter flowering hybrid varieties for sale in nurseries, such as Aloe ‘Big Red’.
STAR QUALITY: Attractive and functional
7. Fire sticks (Euphorbia tirucalli)
Fire sticks’ fine texture and vivid colour make a wonderful focal point in the garden. Colours range from lime green to rosy red with the most intense colour occurring in winter on plants in full sun. Good news for subtropical gardeners, fire sticks are more tolerant of ordinary soil than most succulents and can be planted alongside moisture-loving plants.
STAR QUALITY: Adds colour to a winter garden
10 things to do in the garden before winter draws to a close
Fire sticks’ fine texture and vivid colour make a wonderful focal point in the garden. Colours range from lime green to rosy red with the most intense colour occurring in winter on plants in full sun. Good news for subtropical gardeners, fire sticks are more tolerant of ordinary soil than most succulents and can be planted alongside moisture-loving plants.
STAR QUALITY: Adds colour to a winter garden
10 things to do in the garden before winter draws to a close
8. Flapjacks (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)
Flapjacks are some of the most striking succulents. Their paddle-shaped leaves stack in a rosette formation similar to the distinctive fan aloe, and the outer edges colour up in full winter sun, like fire sticks. They work well in gardens as mass planting that grows under larger sculptural plants, as shown, but are equally at home in pots and bowls. Flapjacks are easy going and propagate quickly.
STAR QUALITY: Propagates freely
Flapjacks are some of the most striking succulents. Their paddle-shaped leaves stack in a rosette formation similar to the distinctive fan aloe, and the outer edges colour up in full winter sun, like fire sticks. They work well in gardens as mass planting that grows under larger sculptural plants, as shown, but are equally at home in pots and bowls. Flapjacks are easy going and propagate quickly.
STAR QUALITY: Propagates freely
9. Frangipani (Plumeria)
It is common knowledge that fleshy-leaved plants are referred to as succulents, but succulents can also have water-retaining trunks or roots. The ever-popular subtropical garden superstar, frangipani, while deciduous, has a water-retaining trunk. Other succulents with water-retaining trunks are Yucca elephantipes and dragon trees (Dracaena draco). These plants are hardy and responsive to dry winters and hot humid summers, and are therefore consistently good garden inclusions.
STAR QUALITY: Recognised as an iconic subtropical tree
It is common knowledge that fleshy-leaved plants are referred to as succulents, but succulents can also have water-retaining trunks or roots. The ever-popular subtropical garden superstar, frangipani, while deciduous, has a water-retaining trunk. Other succulents with water-retaining trunks are Yucca elephantipes and dragon trees (Dracaena draco). These plants are hardy and responsive to dry winters and hot humid summers, and are therefore consistently good garden inclusions.
STAR QUALITY: Recognised as an iconic subtropical tree
Photo by Flickr user Pauline
10. Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris)
The bottle tree is an awesome feature tree. It can quickly grow to 3 to 5 metres, where it will remain for many years while developing its distinctive bottle-shape trunk. The canopy and roots can be easily trimmed to contain its size, which will only reach 4 to 7 metres in an urban garden environment.
STAR QUALITY: Makes a beautiful feature tree
TELL US
Do you have any of the mentioned succulents in your garden? Tell us about your experiences and show us your pics in the Comments.
MORE
DIY Project: Alternative Ways to Show Off Your Succulents
Tiny Pot Plants Trending for All the Right Reasons
DIY Project: A Driftwood Centrepiece Alive With Succulents
10. Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris)
The bottle tree is an awesome feature tree. It can quickly grow to 3 to 5 metres, where it will remain for many years while developing its distinctive bottle-shape trunk. The canopy and roots can be easily trimmed to contain its size, which will only reach 4 to 7 metres in an urban garden environment.
STAR QUALITY: Makes a beautiful feature tree
TELL US
Do you have any of the mentioned succulents in your garden? Tell us about your experiences and show us your pics in the Comments.
MORE
DIY Project: Alternative Ways to Show Off Your Succulents
Tiny Pot Plants Trending for All the Right Reasons
DIY Project: A Driftwood Centrepiece Alive With Succulents
The century plant is one of Australia’s most popular succulents because of its ability to thrive and flourish in many different environments. Pictured above as the star of a vertical garden, Agave species are equally at home in pots or garden beds. Their low-growing rosette form is tidy and easy to care for. Agaves are wonderful plants for time-poor gardeners because they require little attention to look their best.
STAR QUALITY: Easy care