New to Succulents? Start With These 10 Beginner Favorites

Are you just dipping your toes into the wonderful world of succulents? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Choosing your first few plants can feel overwhelming with so many quirky varieties to pick from. But don’t worry, this beginner’s guide has you covered with 10 fool-proof succulents that are perfect for new plant parents.

Even the brownest of thumbs can keep these low-maintenance beauties alive and thriving! Succulents are super trendy right now for a reason – they’re easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and add a fun pop of texture to any space. But enough chatting, let’s dive into the top 10 picks!

Easy Succulents for Beginners

1. Burro’s Tail (Sedum burrito)

This trailing succulent is a total showstopper with long stems draped in plump, blue-green leaves. Burro’s tail is one of the most forgiving succulents, able to bounce back from underwatering or overwatering fairly easily. It can go several weeks without water, making it ideal for forgetful beginners or those with inconsistent schedules. The leaves remain plump and healthy through short periods of neglect.

2. Aloe Vera

You’ve probably used the soothing aloe gel for sunburns, but did you know the whole plant is a knockout indoors? These spiky, geometric stems packed with medicinal gel juice are a cinch to grow for beginners. Aloe can go 3-4 weeks without any water at all before showing signs of thirst. It’s also incredibly forgiving if you accidentally give it too much of a drink occasionally.

3. Graptoveria

With thick red and green leaves, graptoveria resembles a small shrub with a beautiful flush. It’s one of the most drought-resistant succulent varieties out there for beginners. Graptoveria stores tons of water in those meaty leaves, allowing it to go over a month with zero watering if needed. You almost have to try to overwater this hardy plant!

4. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

This classic succulent is beloved for its woody stems and oval-shaped green leaves. Jade plants are incredibly versatile – they can handle a wide range of care, from underwatering to overwatering, and even tolerate low light conditions reasonably well. Though they’ll look their best with plenty of sunshine, jade plants can still get by indoors without direct light. They’ll even bloom with tiny white flowers when mature!

5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

You really can’t kill these striped spears! Snake plants are hardy indoor troopers that thrive on neglect and practically any condition you throw at them as a beginner. They can survive in extremely low light with infrequent waterings, handling long periods of drought like champs. An occasional accidental soak is no problem either thanks to their hardy, drought-evolved roots.

6. Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

With thick ghostly leaves that look faux, this cutie can go weeks without a single drink of water, making it ideal for beginners who tend to underwater. Ghosts plants are also remarkably tolerant of less-than-ideal conditions like low light. Bonus: they’re super prolific – any dropped leaf can root into a whole new plant!

7. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)

This sun-lover develops a shrubby, upright shape with reddish stems. Portulacaria is a smart choice for beginners who want a low-maintenance succulent that can handle periods of underwatering. It likes to have the soil dry out completely between waterings and won’t kick the bucket if you forget about it for a few weeks. Just don’t leave it parched and bone dry for too long.

8. Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)

For that funky, speckled texture, you need a zebra plant! This small, spiky succulent is wonderfully easygoing and unfussy. It does best in bright, indirect light, but can still pull through in lower light. Zebra plants are also quite drought-tolerant, only needing water when the soil is completely dried out. Their rubbery leaves can withstand periods of underwatering.

9. Thimble Cactus (Mammillaria gracilis)

With white spines protruding from its round pads, the thimble cactus is one of the easier cacti varieties for beginners to keep alive. Extremely drought-tolerant, it can go months between waterings without batting an eye. The thimble cactus also forms small offsets to create new clumps, allowing beginners to multiply their plant stash easily.

10. Aeoniums

Need a succulent that can survive total abandonment for a while? The aeonium is up for that challenge! This rosette-forming variety is incredibly tolerant of drought conditions. It can go over a month or two without water while just looking a bit withered. But have no fear – the aeonium will spring right back and plump up once you finally get around to quenching its thirst.

There you have it, 10 low-key yet beautiful succulents that make the perfect plants for beginners. With this foolproof selection, you’ll be a succulent pro in no time!