18 Cold Hardy Succulents For Cool Climates (2024)

Succulents are great plants for growing indoors and outdoors. Many types of succulents are native to desert or tropical regions and can withstand some pretty extreme conditions. This is what makes them a great choice for beginner gardeners. You don’t need a “green thumb” to keep these beauties alive.

Since many succulents are native to deserts and tropical regions, are there any that can withstand the colder climates in the United States? Yes! Some succulents can survive cold temperatures and deep snowfall.

Of all the genera of succulents in the world, only a small handful will survive outdoors in colder climates. Luckily, those genera have a good selection of hardy species. These succulents can withstand freezing temperatures and will return anew once temperatures warm up in the spring.

If you live in regions where temperatures drop below freezing and are unsure what succulents will survive, you’ve come to the right place! We will discuss some of the top cold-hardy succulents you can grow in rock beds, landscapes, containers, or indoors. Let’s dive in!

Contents

Sempervivum ‘Pluto’

	sun requirements Full to partial sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 3-11

This variety produces large rosettes of deep green and dark purple tips. This succulent will produce large clusters of small and large rosettes. Plant in rock gardens, wall crevices, or terracotta pots to enjoy all season long.

Besides being able to handle cold temperatures, ‘Pluto’ can also tolerate extreme heat. The plant thrives in the summer heat, but once temperatures drop, the plant enters a dormant state. This is what allows it to survive the winter months without dying. Deep snow will also help insulate the plant and protect it from harsh wind and temperatures.

Sedum ‘Atlantis’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

This variegated succulent produces small, dark green leaves with wide creamy yellow margins. In the summer, the succulents will produce bright yellow flowers. The margins may turn to a blush color with colder temperatures in the late fall.

This succulent is low-growing and forms neat clumps which look great tucked in rock gardens or landscapes. Plant in full sun and well-draining soils and watch this variety take off. Like many sedums, they thrive on neglect; the less care you provide, the better.

Delosperma ‘Banana Blast’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6-8 inches
	hardiness zones 5-10

‘Banana Blast’ is an evergreen flowering succulent with showy yellow daisy-like blooms from early summer to early fall. The blooms are profuse and will cover the plant, barely showing the green foliage beneath. This plant is great for ornamental gardens, rock gardens, or near water features.

This variety is very heat and drought-tolerant, so you can plant them where other plants can’t survive the summer heat. This succulent attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to a pollinator garden. In addition, they are deer resistant!

Orostachys furusei

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

Orostachys furusei is a succulent that forms small rosettes with thick grey to brown leaves. The succulent is rather slow growing but will form a beautiful mat of rosettes. In the fall, the succulent will send up towers of yellow flowers.

The plant is actively growing in the spring and summer, so given enough time, the plant will form a dense ground cover. If you are interested in propagating the plant, it is best to do so during the growing season. Propagation is an affordable way of growing more of a favorite plant.

Sempervivum ‘Corsair’

	sun requirements Full to partial sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 3-11

‘Corsair’ is a unique variety known for its prickly-leaf rosettes. The succulent produces medium size rosettes in dense clusters. The new growth emerges green but, with age, turns a deep reddish-pink color.

Like many succulents, ‘Corsair’ can tolerate pretty dry conditions. In the heat of summer, these rosettes will remain colorful while your lawn turns brown. Generally, the rainfall your region receives will be enough to keep ‘Corsair’ happy. Watch for signs of underwatering, such as wilting and browning leaves.

Orostachys japonica

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

This variety, more commonly known as Rock Pine, will form dense rosettes of grey to green and white to red. During the winter, the succulent will change to a deep red color. The plant will produce a small, white flower before it dies.

Although the plant is monocarpic, you will barely notice the dying plant as its offsets will cover the parent plant quickly. There is nothing to prevent the plant from dying, and it is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.

Sedum album

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3-5 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

Sedum album is a lovely, low-growing succulent that is great for ground cover or border planting. It is a fast grower and will quickly spread and cover the ground beneath it. They thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant.

The succulent produces leaves along a 3 to 5-inch stem that ranges from green to purple to red. They have thick fleshy leaves, allowing them to go long periods without water.

When the plant is stressed, the red coloring will be more vibrant. In mid-summer, the plant erupts with masses of small, white star-like flowers.

Ruschia pulvinaris

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3-5 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

Better known as Shrubby Ice Plant, this is a frost-hardy, groundcover succulent. The plant produces long, firm leaves on branchy stems. The foliage has a blue-green hue that is smooth to the couch. If you look closely, you can see a pattern of tiny dots on the leaves.

This succulent is a prolific bloomer with magenta flowers that can be seen during the growing season. Plant this succulent in full sun and well-draining soils. Use soil designed for succulents to help increase drainage and prevent root rot.

Delosperma cooperi

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

More commonly known as Cooper’s Hardy Ice Plant, this is a succulent ground cover that produces large magenta flowers for most of the summer. It’s popular as a low mat of succulents that look great in gardens, rock beds, and landscapes.

Not many succulents have such a long bloom period, but Cooper’s Hardy Ice Plant will provide a flood of color for the better part of the summer. They grow in well-draining soils that have a bit of sand or gravel incorporated into them. If you want the plant to bloom well, consider watering more frequently during dryer and hotter periods.

Orostachys spinosa

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

This variety also goes by the names Spiny Pennywort and is very unique. These succulents remind me of sunflowers but in a succulent form. They produce low-growing rosettes that grow inwards but become longer and narrow towards the outer edge. The leaves are blue-green with white tips at the ends.

The rosettes can get rather large, upwards of 3 inches in diameter. These plants are great at self-propagating through offsets. Since they produce offsets so readily, they will form a dense mat of rosettes. When the succulent is mature, it will send up a stalk, producing green-yellow flowers.

Sempervivum cebenese

	sun requirements Full to Partial Shade
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 3-11

The variety is one of the large sempervivum genera, which produces numerous offsets from long stolons. The variety is noted for being covered in heavy white cob webbing. The leaves have a slight tinge of pink on the edge.

Due to the heavy webbing between the leaves, these succulents look like little white stones from a distance. Give them plenty of sunlight and very little water, and these succulents will thrive. Plant it in well-draining soil to avoid the development of root rot.

Sedum tricolor

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3-5 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

This Sedum also goes by the name Tricolor Stonecrop. This variegated succulent is rather different from other sedum varieties. When planted in full sun, this succulent can display not two but three different colors.

The foliage is small and paddle-like, while the leaves have green centers with white edges. As sunlight becomes more intense, the plant beings to display a red-pink hue. This cold hardy creeping succulent is excellent as a ground cover. Even when neglected, the succulent will continue to spread.

Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6-8 inches
	hardiness zones 5-10

Talk about a show-stopper of a flower. ‘Fire Spinner’ produces a beautiful flower with a purple-pink center and paddles that go from red to orange. The flowers sit above dense mats of green foliage. You can expect to see this succulent bloom all summer long.

This beauty thrives in full sun and dry, well-draining soils. Avoid soils that become too soggy, as this can cause the succulent to become stunted or develop root rot. They are easy to grow succulents as long as they are placed in the correct location.

Sempervivum ‘Gold Nugget’

	sun requirements Full to partial sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 3-11

With a burst of color, ‘Gold Nugget’ is a vibrant succulent that produces neon yellow leaves with bright red edges in the spring and fall. During the summer, the foliage turns vibrant lime green, and in the winter will turn a crimson color with gold edges. This plant is always changing color, making it a fun addition to any garden.

The rosettes can get rather large, growing up to 6 to 8 inches wide. In the summer, a thick stack will rise from the rosette and display a starry pink flower. Once this flower is finished blooming, the plant it rose from will also die. However, the offsets will take its place, and you may not even notice the other rosette is gone.

Sedum ‘Blue Elf’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-3 inches
	hardiness zones 4-9

Noted for its blue to purple to green foliage, this variety is a great addition to any garden. Very low growing and great as a filler in succulent pots, crevasses in rock walls, or landscaping borders. They prefer rockier soils that have sand or gravel incorporated into them.

In the late summer to early fall, you can expect ‘Blue Elf’ to produce a cluster of fragrant dark pink flowers. This particular variety is a cross between sedum and orostachys. The plant rarely struggles with pests and diseases and is rabbit and deer resistant.

Orostachys fimbriata

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

Also known as Dunce’s Cape, this succulent has unique rosettes that are brownish to orange in color. They are soft and fleshy leaves that appear to be erupting like a volcano of leaves. The leaves also appear to have a grey haze to them. During the summer, the center of the volcano will erupt with a flower spike.

These are drought-tolerant succulents that don’t like soggy soils. Soils should be allowed to dry between waterings. Avoid getting water on the rosettes as this can lead to diseases developing. Propagating Orostachys fimbriata is rather easy and can be done by removing the offsets. Place the offsets in a small pot, and don’t water until new growth is seen.

Delosperma ‘Garnet’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 inches
	hardiness zones 5-10

This variety has a truly beautiful bloom that floods the plant with red-pink flowers from spring to fall. The blooms can get up to 2 inches wide when grown in the right conditions. The flower has scarlet and lavender petals with a white eye in the center.

Like other varieties in the family, the plant is very drought tolerant and should only be watered during hot, dry periods. Generally, the plant is content with rainfall as its only water source. Although the plant doesn’t get very tall, it can spread much wider. The plant will get anywhere from 15 to 20 inches wide on average.

Sedum ‘Cape Blanco’

	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4-6 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

With powdery blue leaves, this succulent is great as a groundcover or in display with other cold hardy succulents. In the summer, the plant will produce clusters of tiny yellow flowers. The leaves are spooned-shaped and wrap around the tips, creating silvery rosettes.

Easy to grow, ‘Cape Blanco’ is a great choice for first-time succulent growers. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade but, like most succulents, is cautious of sunburn. This occurs when the plant is exposed to intense light and high temperatures. Discolored patches will appear on the leaves and are generally treatable.