15 Best Succulents for Full Hot Sun (With Pictures)

Succulents are the perfect solution if you’re looking for a hardy and beautiful addition to your garden in the full hot sun. With their ability to tolerate intense heat, drought, and low maintenance requirements, these plants create striking landscapes that can bring life and character to any outdoor space.

From cacti to colorful groundcovers, there are wide varieties of heat-tolerant succulents to choose from when deciding on the best variety for your garden. We’ll examine the 15 best succulents for full hot sun in this article.

Best Succulents for Full Hot Sun

1. Adenium

Adenium is a succulent native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is truly eye-catching with its thick trunk and branching stems that bear distinctive, colorful flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, or white. In addition to its striking looks, Adenium is also well suited for hot sun conditions due to its drought tolerance.

Adeniums require good light to flourish because they grow in full sunlight in their natural habitat. It is best to place plants in direct sunlight, especially when they actively grow in the summer.

2. Aeonium

Aeonium is a genus of succulent plants native to the Canary Islands, African deserts, and other parts of the world. Aeoniums come in various shapes and sizes, from rosettes with spiky green leaves to globular clusters with striking yellow flowers.

These plants tolerate drought and full sun exposure and thrive when given plenty of light. They can be placed in direct sunlight or partial shade, but they require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to stay healthy.

3. Agave

A favorite for desert gardens, Agave is a succulent native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is a versatile plant grown in both containers and on the ground.

Agave is also well-suited to hot sun conditions, with its thick leaves providing excellent protection from intense sunlight. It’s best to position these plants in full sun for maximum growth and flowering.

4. Aloe

An old favorite, Aloe is a succulent widely used for its medicinal and ornamental properties. It has thick, pointed leaves with striking patterns that create a distinct look in any garden.

Aloe can handle direct sunlight very well and should be placed in a sunny spot when grown outdoors. They will require at least 6 hours of direct sun each day to thrive.

5. Cereus

Cereus is a cactus native to desert regions in South America and Africa. This plant forms tall, thin columns that reach up to 10 feet. It has thick, ribbed stems with spines along its edges and can handle full hot sun conditions without any issues. Place your Cereus in an area with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight, and it will thrive.

6. Crassula

Crassula is a genus of succulent plants with over 200 species. These popular houseplants have thick, fleshy leaves that can come in many colors and shapes.

Crassulas are very tolerant to heat and drought, making them well-suited to hot sun conditions. Place your crassula in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, and it will do very well.

7. Echinocereus

Echinocereus is a cactus native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It forms thick clusters of spiny columns that can reach up to 4 feet in height. This plant prefers full sun and will do well when placed in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily.

8. Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a genus of succulent plants with over 2000 species. These are succulents that like full sun and heat. Place your Euphorbias in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

9. Graptopetalum

Graptopetalum is a succulent native to rocky desert regions in Mexico. It is known for its eye-catching foliage and can grow up to 6 inches high. This plant will do very well when placed in direct sunlight if it is not exposed to the intense heat of the midday sun. Place your Graptopetalum in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

10. Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a genus of succulent plants native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. They are known for their bold foliage and bright flowers and can be grown in both containers and outdoors.

This plant prefers full sun but should not be exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. Place your Kalanchoe in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

11. Opuntia

Opuntia is a cactus native to desert regions in Mexico and the United States. It forms thick clusters of spiny columns that can reach up to 10 feet tall. These cacti prefer full sun and can handle hot temperatures without any issues. Place your Opuntia in an area with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

12. Pachyphytum

Pachyphytum is a succulent native to Mexico and is known for its thick, fleshy leaves. This plant prefers full sun and should be placed in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Pachyphytums are very tolerant to both heat and drought.

13. Sedum

Sedum is a genus of succulent plants with over 400 species that can be grown as houseplants or outdoors. These plants prefer full sun and will do well when placed in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours each day.

14. Sempervivum

Sempervivum is a succulent native to mountainous regions in Europe and North Africa. The plants form dense rosettes of spiny leaves that can reach up to 6 inches tall. Sempervivums are full sun succulents and should be placed in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

15. Senecio

Senecio is a genus of succulent plants with over 500 species, making it one of the largest genera of flowering plants. It is one of the many succulents that like full sun and heat.

How Much Sun Do Succulents Need?

Before deciding which succulent to add to your garden, it’s important to understand their sun needs. Succulents are best grown in full sunlight and require at least 6 hours of direct sun exposure each day to thrive.

If you live in an area with high summer temperatures, provide your plant some afternoon shade by adding a trellis or similar structure to your garden. Moreover, avoid planting succulents in shady areas, as they will not be able to produce the energy they need to survive.

Depending on the type of succulent you are growing, you may need to adjust the amount of sun and water accordingly. Providing the right environment for your succulents will help them thrive and enjoy their long-lasting beauty.

Can Succulents Be in Full Hot Sun?

Yes, succulents are perfectly suited to the full hot sun. These plants have evolved over thousands of years to survive in extreme conditions, like direct sunlight and arid climates. They can store water and nutrients in their leaves, stems, and roots to make it through long dry spells.

Succulents can require anywhere from six to eight hours of sunlight per day, depending on the variety. New plants should be slowly and gradually exposed to direct sun, as too much intense light can cause them to burn. If you want to protect your succulents from the harshness of direct sunlight, you can use a translucent screen or other shading material.

Acclimating Outdoor Succulents

If you are bringing succulents outdoors for the first time, introduce them slowly to maintain their best health. Start by positioning the plants in a shady spot and gradually moving them into areas of increasing sunlight over several weeks. This will ensure that they can adjust slowly without becoming sunburned or wilting from the intensity of the direct sunlight.

What Temperature Is Too Hot for Succulents?

The heat tolerance of succulents varies depending on the type, but most can handle temperatures up to 95°F (35°C). Some succulents, such as the 112°F (44.4°C) found in deserts, can withstand even hotter temperatures.

However, if your succulent is exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, it could be exposed to temperatures that are too hot and may suffer damage. Generally, it is best to monitor the temperature and provide protection from the sun during peak hours.

How Often Should You Water Succulents in Hot Weather?

In hot weather, succulents need to be watered more frequently than in cooler temperatures, which is at least once a week. This is because the soil can dry out quickly due to increased evaporation from the heat. It is best to water your succulents deeply but infrequently to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Also, ensure not to overwater your succulents, which can lead to root rot. You should also keep an eye on the soil’s moisture levels, which the feel of the soil can determine. It is time to water your succulent if it feels dry and crumbly. Additionally, if you are growing your succulents outdoors, you may need to water them more frequently due to increased evaporation from the sun.

What Does a Succulent with Too Much Sun Look Like?

A succulent that has been exposed to too much sun can show signs of sunburn. The leaves may turn yellow, brown, or even black, and the tips may become crispy or withered. Additionally, you may also notice leaf drops and stunted growth in your succulents due to extreme heat exposure.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to move your succulent to an area with less direct sunlight and ensure that it gets the right amount of water.

Conclusion

When caring for succulents, it is important to understand the plant’s needs and provide an environment where they can thrive. Succulents prefer full sun with six or more hours of direct sunlight each day and should be watered deeply but infrequently.

In hot weather, the soil may dry out quickly so you may need to water your succulents more frequently or provide shade during the hottest hours of the day. If you suspect that your succulent has been exposed to too much sun, look out for signs of sunburn and move it to an area with less direct sunlight. With proper care, your succulents will thrive quickly!