Succulents are ideal for indoor windowsills or desks with their low maintenance requirements and unique appearance. Of course, no matter what the climate is in your area, you can easily find plants that are very suitable for outdoor gardens among the wide variety of succulents.

If you want to extend the beautiful succulent vibe to the outdoors and create a charming outdoor succulent garden, then this outdoor succulent care guide will provide you with valuable help. We will explore two planting methods, ground planting, and potted planting, to help you choose the right plants, determine the best location, and master the key points of daily maintenance to comprehensively enhance your gardening experience.

Ground planting succulents vs Potted succulents

Obviously, if we want to create our own outdoor succulent garden, the first step is to choose whether to plant directly in the ground or in a pot.

Outdoor potted succulents can be flexibly changed and are suitable for small spaces, enhancing the beauty of the space. Outdoor ground-planted succulents use large spaces to create a more natural and rich plant garden.

Outdoor potted succulents can be planted at will because the position of potted succulents can be moved at will in extreme weather. Planting succulent plants outdoors has restrictions on the minimum temperature in the area:

• Winter minimum temperature below -20°F: In this case, succulents planted in the ground are very susceptible to frostbite. Therefore, it is a wise choice to use outdoor pots to grow succulents. Move succulents indoors in winter to avoid the plants being affected by the cold.

• Winter minimum temperature above -20°F: If the winter temperature in your area is above -20°F, you can try to plant some hard succulents outdoors.

• Temperature above 20°F: In this case, you can choose to plant succulents outdoors or potted.

Maintenance and selection of ground-planted succulents

1. Choose a suitable outdoor succulent planting location

• Sunlight: Succulents are most suitable for 5-6 hours of sunlight. Choose a location for outdoor ground-planted succulents that receive direct sunlight in the morning and diffuse light in the afternoon to prevent sunburn. Because the sunlight in the morning is relatively soft. Of course, you can also provide shade for succulents when the sun is intense, such as using a shade cloth or umbrella and gradually letting the plants adapt to the strong sunlight.

• Terrain: Avoid choosing low-lying areas that are prone to water accumulation because outdoor succulents are prone to rot in wet soil. So, you can consider planting succulents in a higher planting bed outdoors to promote the drainage of excess water.

• Soil: First, make sure there are no weeds in the soil. Secondly, if your outdoor garden soil is clay, it is recommended to add granular soil (such as vermiculite or perlite) to improve air permeability. Or you can dig a hole about 3 inches high and fill it with succulent mixed soil. Finally, a layer of pebbles on the surface of the soil to help prevent weed growth and promote water evaporation.

2. Watering

• Watering: Rain can be a main source of for outdoor ground plants. However, too much rain can cause succulent root rot; if there is not enough rain, it may cause leaf wilt.
• Flexibility: So, we need to adjust the watering strategy flexibly according to outdoor weather changes. Reduce the frequency of watering succulents in the rainy season, provide shade umbrellas for outdoor succulents when necessary, and replenish water in time on dry days. When watering, be sure to check whether the soil is dry to decide whether watering is needed.

• Seasonal changes: The water requirements of succulents will also vary with the change of seasons. In spring and autumn, most outdoor succulents enter the growth period, and the water demand will increase, while in autumn and winter, outdoor succulents enter the dormant period, and the demand for water will decrease. At this time, the frequency of watering should be reduced to avoid root rot.

3. Fertilization

Fertilization can promote the rapid growth and blooming of outdoor succulents. So, you can fertilize your outdoor succulents once a year in spring and autumn with diluted liquid fertilizer.

4. Protective measures for extreme winter temperatures

If the outdoor temperature is very cold in winter, you can use the following methods to keep succulents warm:

Covering: Add a layer of covering, such as hay or bark, around the roots of outdoor succulents to keep them warm.

Cloth protection: On extremely cold nights, you can lightly cover outdoor succulents with cold-proof cloth or blankets to provide additional protection.

For more information on protecting outdoor succulents in winter, please click here

How to care for outside succulents in cold winter?

5. Succulent plants suitable for outdoor planting

Sempervivum tectorum (Hens and Chicks): This succulent plant is very cold-resistant and suitable for outdoor planting in cool climates. The suitable hazard zone is 3-8. Sempervivum tectorum can grow to a height of 6 inches and blooms star-shaped flowers in summer.

Sedum 'Dragon's Blood': Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' is 4-6 inches tall and suitable for hazard zones 4-9. With insufficient sunlight outdoors, the leaves of Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' will turn red and bloom cranberry-colored in the fall.

Aeonium Urbicum: Aeonium Urbicum is a large succulent plant. The beautiful rosettes and deep red leaf edges are the charm of this plant. Aeonium Urbicum is suitable for outdoor gardens. Hazard zones 9-11.

Agave parryi: Agave parryi is suitable for outdoor gardens with hazard zones of 8-11 and grows best in warm climates. Compared to potted plants, Agave parryi will grow more extensive and more lush in the ground.

For more information about hardy succulents, please click here.

15 Outdoor Hardy Succulents for Cold Climates

Maintenance and selection of potted succulents

1. Choose a suitable outdoor succulent planting location

• Sunlight: You can choose a location that can receive 6 hours of sunlight. If you can receive direct sunlight in the morning, indirect light at noon and in the afternoon is best.

• Soil: Like succulents maintained indoors, you can choose succulent mixed soil or homemade soil. The soil should be a mixture of ordinary potting soil and granular soil. Because the outdoor air is more circulated, you can use more potting soil than indoor succulent soil.
• Pot: Use a ceramic pot with drainage holes to ensure that the excess water inside the outdoor potted succulent flowerpot can be drained smoothly.

2. Watering

Rainwater is an important source of water for outdoor succulents, but too frequent rainfall and dry seasons may cause succulents to be unhealthy. Therefore, watering needs to be flexibly adjusted according to climate changes and the growth status of succulents.

Observe the plant: If you find that the leaves and soil of outdoor succulents are dry and begin to shrivel. Then it means that there is not enough rain and you can water them appropriately. You can use a wooden stick in the soil to check the moisture of the soil.

Dealing with extreme weather: In case of continuous stormy weather, succulents should be moved to a sheltered place. In addition, it is necessary to check the drainage of the soil regularly to ensure that the roots of succulents can breathe.

Seasonal management:

Winter and summer: outdoor succulents enter a dormant period and require less water, so the frequency of watering will be reduced.

Spring and autumn: This is the peak growth season for outdoor succulents, and normal watering can be according to the needs of the plants.

For more information about succulents and rain, please click here.

Can outdoor succulents survive rain in the fall?

3. Succulent plants suitable for outdoor potting

Orostachys spinosa: This succulent is suitable for cold areas with minimum temperatures above -30°F and Hazard Zones 4-9. Orostachys spinosa has a very unique leaf shape and offset leaves. It is 4-6 inches tall and will become a dense potted succulent in your outdoor succulent garden.

Portulacaria afra: Suitable for areas with minimum temperatures above 20°F and Hazard Zones 9-11. Portulacaria afra has heart-shaped leaves with cream edges and light green leaves. The stems are soft creeping claws and can grow to 12-72 inches. It is a great outdoor succulent hanging plant or ground cover.

Aeonium 'Kiwi': Suitable for areas with minimum temperatures above 20°F and Hazard Zones 9-11. Aeonium 'Kiwi' has a stem that can grow to 12-24 inches and will grow many cuttings. The dense rosette shape and rich leaf colors make Aeonium 'Kiwi' a must-have for outdoor succulent gardens.

Crassula ovata: Suitable Hazard Zone is 9-11, height is 12-30 inches. Crassula ovata is heat-resistant and easy to maintain. Its dense leaves and colorful colors are very suitable for outdoor maintenance in warm areas.

Conclusion

Whether it is ground-planted or potted outdoor succulents, as long as you carefully observe the state of the succulents and take good care of them, they will definitely become the most beautiful plants to embellish your outdoor succulent garden. We look forward to your joy and achievement in your outdoor succulent garden journey! If you have any questions about outdoor succulent care, you are welcome to communicate with us in the comment section!