30 Pretty Succulent Ground Cover Plants [With Pictures]

Succulents are an incredible way to cover ground and make your landscaping projects look lusher. They are hardy plants that are easy to maintain, given the right kind of soil and the right environmental factors. The following are 30 pretty succulent ground cover plants you can consider for your next landscaping venture:

Aptenia cordifolia

Also known as Rockrose or Noon flower, Aptenia cordifolia is a beautiful succulent that originally grows in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, though it has also been introduced in other parts of the world. It has small, heart-shaped leaves that have a glossy green film. They tend to produce small bright pink flowers. This is a ground-covering succulent that is great for landscaping.

Read also:
4 Types of Aptenia: Care and Propagation Guide

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Malephora crocea

Malephora crocea is a succulent endemic to the Karoo Desert in Namibia and South Africa. It typically grows at a height of 1,100-1,600 meters, however, it can also adapt to warmer climates like in Spain, Mexico, Australia and parts of the United States. This is a perennially growing succulent that grows close to the ground. The flowers have a bright orange color and often resemble daisies.

Sedum rubrotinctum

Sedum rubrotinctum is a mix of two beautiful Mexican species—Sedum pachyphyllum and Sedum stahlii. One may also have heard of the common name jelly bean plant. This is because its delicate leaves are shaped like jelly beans. When exposed to the sun, the leaves turn red. The stems are typically short and the leaves grow in spiral clusters. The flowers are bright yellow and sometimes have an orange tinge.

Sedum pachyphyllum

The Sedum pachyphyllum is another perennial succulent of the “jelly bean” variety. It has green leaves with a silver film that look like jelly beans. They grow up to 30 cm tall and the stems may be upright at first, but tend to curve up later. The leaf tips tend to turn red in the winter when it is exposed to the sun. The flowers have small, bright yellow petals and tend to bloom in the summer months.

Sedum lucidum

Sedum lucidum is a succulent that is originally found in parts of Mexico and North America. This is a perennial succulent shrub that has thick green rosettes. When placed in bright light, the leaves turn red. This is a ground-covering shrub that is great for creating bright shrubbery.

Conophytum novicium

The Conophytum novicium is widely found in the Northern Cape of South Africa. They are often confused with Conophytum minutum var. Pearsonii but the difference becomes apparent when the flowers start blooming. The flowers are a bright golden yellow and have a bell shape with the petals opening out in thin strips.

Sedum stahlii

The Sedum stahlii succulent is frequently found in Mexico, in the northeastern parts of Sierra Madre del Sur. The succulent flourishes on limestone and usually grows on steep slopes of rock. It has distinct egg-shaped leaves. The bright yellow flowers have a unique star shape. It is sometimes also referred to as coral bells.

Faucaria lupina

Faucaria lupina originally grows in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Commonly referred to as Wolf’s Jaws, as the top pair of leaves can resemble the jaws of the wild canine species. It has long triangular leaves, typically a shade of silvery light green. They have bright yellow flowers that only bloom in full sunlight.

Conophytum globosum

Conophytum globosum is referred to as a dwarf, compact ground-cover succulent. They have a globose, kidney-shaped body that has an almost smooth surface. They are typically stemless or have extremely short stems. The flowers emerge from the depression on the kidney-like body and often have light pink or white petals. They bloom during autumn.

Crassula cv. Bride’s Bouquet

Crassula cv. Bride’s Bouquet is so named because the beautiful collection of succulent flowers look quite akin to a special bride’s bouquet. This succulent grows slowly, and can grow up to a height of 15-30 centimeters. They are certainly great as ground cover, but you can also plant them in hanging baskets.

Faucaria longifolia

Faucaria longifolia originates in South Africa’s Cape Province. It has silvery green triangle-shaped leaves that have spokes around the edges. The leaves can often look like the jaws of an animal. In late autumn or winter, the daisy-like flowers tend to bloom. These are hardy plants that can even withstand short spells of frost.

Portulaca lutea

The Portulaca lutea is an indigenous Hawaiian succulent, found on all the main islands barring Kaua’i. This is a beach succulent that can often disperse in the sea. This is often also how they are propagated as the fragments that travel in the water are tolerant to the saline quality. It can grow on various types of soil, including coral and amid sand dunes. It can be identified by its bright yellow flowers.

Portulaca pilosa

Portulaca pilosa is a flowering succulent native to the Americas. This is a pan-tropical shrub that grows in a wide variety of locations, from the Caribbean to the Indian subcontinent. This succulent prefers sandy or gravelly soil and likes to be out of direct sunlight. They grow easily on the roadside, especially on limestone, sandstone and granite.

Senecio herreianus

Originally found in Southwestern Namibia and northwestern South Africa, Senecio herreianus is also commonly referred to as ‘string of watermelon’ or ‘green marble vine’. This is a beautiful hanging plant that has spindle-shaped leaves. The leaves are evenly spaced on the stem and create a chain of beads that run along the soil like a string.

Portulaca amilis

Portulaca amilis is a species that grows naturally in South America. Also referred to as the Puerto Rican Hot Pink succulent, this plant has bright neon pink flowers that instantly make any garden seem more colorful. This is a summer herb that blooms annually and can grow up to about 15-20 cm in height. It has wiry, succulent branches and thick, fleshy leaves.

Conophytum flavum subs. Novicium

Conophytum flavum subs. Novicium is a succulent native to Northern Cape, South Africa. It grows easily on granite or quartz outcrops. The leaves are a silver-green to dark green in color and often have a glossy look. The diurnal flowers are small and bloom in the morning, typically of a golden yellow.

Portulaca grandiflora

Portulaca grandiflora is a succulent native to Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. It thrives in sandy soils and can easily be planted in gardens for landscaping. Also known as Eleven O’Clock plants, Moss-rose or Moss-rose purslane, these are great ground covering plants to consider.

Senecio vitalis

Senecio vitalis is a succulent that is native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, spreading from the coast of Alexandria all the way to East London. While these succulents typically grow in the summer, they prosper with the availability of moisture, so coastal areas are great for them.

Anacampseros rufescens

Anacampseros rufescens is another succulent that proliferates in the Cape Province of South Africa. It grows in clumps across the ground and reaches a height of only a few centimeters. The leaves have a purplish tinge, as do the flowers at times. Typically, the flowers bloom as single flowers but at times they can also be 3-4 flowers clumped together. The flowers are also mildly fragrant.

Sedum decumbens

The Sedum decumbens provide excellent ground cover, thanks to its flat and rounded leaves. It has a bright, glossy green color but during the winters it may take on a red tone. Around springtime, several beautiful golden yellow flowers appear in clusters and they have a delightful fragrance.

Anacampseros filamentosa

The Anacampseros filamentosa grows widely in northern Namibia, along the Orange River. It typically flourishes 350-1,600 meters above sea level. Also referred to as Rabbit’s Foot, the succulent blooms in the summer and typically has up to two, pink flowers. The leaves have thin strands of hair that give them a distinct look.

Anacampseros tomentosa

Anacampseros tomentosa is also a succulent native to Northern Namibia and thrives in quartz and among rock slopes. The seed type of this variety is different from the one previously described, which is what sets the two apart. These too sport thin, cobweb-like hairs.

Delosperma sphalmanthoides

Delosperma sphalmanthoides is another original inhabitant of South Africa and grows in high altitudes. Also referred to as Tufted Ice Plant, it requires moisture throughout the year but is less active during the summer months. It has a distinct look, with its tiny blue-green, finger-like leaves. It also has beautiful fuchsia-colored flowers.

Faucaria tigrina

Faucaria tigrina is a narrow succulent endemic to Grahamstown, South Africa. This is now a rare species as several generations died out with urban expansion in and around Grahamstown. The species easily camouflage with its surroundings as the tiny white flecks on its reddish leaves make it look like the red rocks in its surroundings.

Lithops vanzylii

Lithops vanzylii is also an original inhabitant of Cape Province, South Africa. It flourishes in fine sand in predominantly dry areas. The plant camouflages well as the leaves resemble the stones and pebbles found in its natural surroundings. For this reason, it is also referred to as Living Stone or Green Stone Plant.

Read also:
Lithops Life Cycle, Characteristics and Care

Crassothonna capensis

Crassothonna capensis is an original species of Little Karoo and has also been naturalized in Tunisia and Algeria. It thrives best in dry and rocky flats. The leaves are slender and cylindrical in shape, with a grey-green hue. The flowers bloom only in bright light and have an adorable daisy shape. From spring to autumn, you can expect the plant to bloom.

Delosperma sawdahense

Originating in Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia, Delosperma sawdahense is a beautiful succulent that flowers all summer. What is distinct about the succulent, however, is its plump leaves that seem as if they are covered with ice crystals. The branches are typically covered by rosettes. This is a hardy plant that requires very little maintenance. They tend to grow very fast.

Crassula cv. Baby Necklace

This Crassula, also known as baby necklace, is a hybrid that is made using Crassula perforata and Crassula rupestris. It has rounded leaves and has a greyish-green color, with hints of red along the edges. It looks like a bead necklace, which is where it gets its name from.

Derenbergia biloba

Derenbergia biloba is frequently found in the western parts of South Africa. They thrive best in well-drained soil and require some moisture and sun during the winter months. It has autumnal and diurnal flowers, while the triangular leaves have green margins and a deep purple or red color at the center.

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is native to southern Africa and Namibia, but it has also been introduced in many other parts of the world. It is typically found within an altitude range of 0-100 meters above sea level. It is commonly found in regions that get rainfall in the winter and can also emerge along roadsides.

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