Those that are commonly called succulents are succulent plants which also include cacti. We love their originality and ease of cultivation. Many of them can be grown in the garden where they bring an exotic note, and some are even able to withstand frost provided they are established. under the sun, sheltered from prevailing winds et in draining soil. Above all, do not water them in winter because humidity is their worst enemy and even more so when it is cold. Let’s discover 10 succulents to grow outdoors because they can withstand a few biting frosts, but always for short periods.
1 – Evergreen grandiflorum
Houseleeks, from the family of Crassulaceaeare renowned for their high resistance drought but also they have gel. Moreover, temperatures down to -15°C in no way scare the Houseleek with large flowers provided the soil is not wet. We love its evergreen foliage and its yellow flowers shaped like pink-hearted stars that bloom in summer. This Houseleek is ideal for quickly upholstering a rock garden and dress an old wall because it develops easily in the smallest interstices.
2 – Agave havardiana
There are several hundred species of agaves. Agave havardiana has broad rosette leaves varying from ash blue au greenish gray depending on the season. This succulent is among the hardiest of its kind with a tolerance threshold down to -22°C but only if it is perfectly dry. Planting in full sun in gravel or on an embankment is recommended.
3 – Dasyliron texanum
It’s about a shrub succulent plant of the family of Agavaceae, whose long, narrow leaves form a ball. This Dasylirion brings a decorative note to the garden whatever the season. When planted in dry soil, it can withstand temperatures down to -15°C.
4 – Delosperma cooperi
This succulent plant of the family of Aizoaceae has evergreen foliage and blooms profusely from June to October. His flowers are purple in color. It is an uneventful ground cover plant, as resistant to drought as it is to cold down to -15°C. You just need to plant it in full sun in a soil that does not retain moisture.
5 – Graptopelatum
Here is a succulent from the family of Crassulaceae very easy to live and to rapid growth. She owns a foliage whose color varies from pink to blue depending on the culture conditions. At the slightest touch, its leaves detach – hence its nickname Porcelain Succulent Plant – then form a seedling. In the spring bloom from pretty white flowers with five petals punctuated with red spots. As soon as it is installed well sheltered from the rain, this succulent ornamental with a spreading habit withstands temperatures down to -10°C.
6 – Rebutia huasiensis
Ce cactus originating in Bolivia is a small marvel of the family of Cactaceae, perfect for enhancing a rock garden. It is planted in full sun, in stony soil. If it is absolutely not watered during the winter, it can withstand frost and temperatures of around -3 to -4°C. Drained soil is essential. Under these conditions, it blooms profusely in spring. Its magnificent flowers of astonishing size can be bright pink or pale pink, white, red, yellow or orange.
7 – Opuntia fig-indica
Nicknamed Prickly pearthis plant of the family of Cactaceae produces edible fruit. Its young cladodes (in the shape of rackets) are also eaten as well as its fruits, prickly pears. It’s a kind of tree plant particularly invasive which can reach 5 m in height. The prickly pear is able to withstand -5°C when still young and down to -10°C when adult for short periods, but this hardiness is only possible if it is planted in a draining soil and full sun.
8 – Sedum
There are more than 400 species of sedums which are also called orpins. Those are shrubby succulents for the older ones and of rockeries for the lower ones. The stonecrops produce starry flowers available in many colors (white, pink, yellow, red, etc.). They like full sun and well-drained soil. Rock garden sedums can, under good growing conditions, withstand between -15 and -20°C.
9 – Echinocactus grusonii
Six species make up the Echinocactus group. We call theE. grusonii mother-in-law cushion or Cactus tonneau d’or. This spherical cactus whose diameter can reach 80 cm is, depending on the variety, provided or not with long prickles. It’s a ornamental plantwith almost perfect symmetry, which is adorned with yellow flowers from June to September, but you have to be patient to admire them, because the Echinocactus generally does not flower before reaching the age of 18 or 20 years. It is installed in the warm, in a very sunny area of the garden, and in a well-drained soil because the humidity does not suit it. This large cactus can tolerate a few short spells of frostbut it is better that this does not happen frequently.
10 – Echinopsis
This genus has 180 species. Some of these cacti have funny nicknames (sea urchin cactusMoses ball, Pickle Cactus…).A Echinopsis should be planted in well-draining soil, rocky or sandy, and it is of course offered a sunny exposure sheltered from the icy winds. Under these conditions, this succulent can moderately withstand the cold down to -2°C and provided there is no humidity as it struggles to brave the frost on a daily basis. So it must be exceptional. It is a species that can of course be left outside, but preferably in regions with mild, non-humid winters.