Climbing Cactus

 Epiphyllum is a genus of tropical succulents often referred to as orchid cacti or climbing cacti. There are over a dozen species and many associated hybrids of varying shapes and sizes. They usually have long, flat, non-spiny, and trailing stems. With the right care, they showcase bright, large, fragrant, and night-blooming flowers in the spring or summer. In the wild, these mostly epiphytic plants grow on branches or trunks of trees rather than developing roots in the ground. They absorb the moisture and nutrients they need from the humid environment around them.

In a garden landscape, the trailing stems of orchid cacti look good in hanging baskets. Despite their common name, they don't like full sun and dry air like normal cacti species. Epiphyllums do best in warm, humid, and shady spots that replicate their tropical forest natural habitat. This makes them a good choice as an easy-to-grow, slow-growing bathroom plant.

Common Name Orchid cacti, climbing cacti, leaf cactus

 Botanical Name Epiphyllum Spp.

 Family Cactaceae

 Plant Type Evergreen, cactus

 Mature Size 2 to 10 ft. tall

 Sun Exposure Partial sun

 Soil Type Well-drained

 Soil pH Acidic

 Bloom Time Spring, summer

 Flower Color Red, white, orange, yellow, pink, purple

 Native Area Central and South America

Orchid Cacti Care

Unless you can offer your epiphyllums mild temperatures, dappled sunlight, humidity, and porous potting mix, then it's best to stick with growing them indoors. They like similar conditions to orchids and bromeliads. Grown outdoors, they should have protection from strong winds and ample air circulation.

Light

Orchid cacti thrive in filtered sunlight, which mimic the light conditions they receive in their natural tropical forest habitat. A few hours of full morning sun should be fine, but keep them out of full midday sun to avoid scorching or white scabbing. Outdoors, growing in a hanging basket in the shade of a tree works well.

Don't position your epiphyllum in a room where lights are kept on for long periods after sundown, as this can impact flowering the following year.

If your plant is getting too much light, it can cause wilted growth and yellowing. Leggy, delicate growth can be a result of too little light.

Soil

Your epiphyllum shouldn't be grown directly in the ground. Normal soil is overly compact and the roots won't cope which will result in the death of the plant. Stick with a loose, fast-draining potting mix with additional light and porous materials to promote drainage. An azalea mix with added perlite, bark, cocoa chips, or pumice can work well.

Water

Getting the balance right with water is the key to successful growth. Unlike their traditional cacti relatives, orchid cacti need regular watering during the growing season. The potting mix should be moist but not soggy. Ideally, you want the top 1/3 of the potting mix to dry out before rewatering. In winter, reduce watering and move the plant to a cooler location. This will help produce healthy, large flowers the next season. Using distilled or filtered water instead of tap water is beneficial for these sensitive plants.

Branch dieback or rust spotting can be an issue if your soil is too wet, especially when temperatures are on the low side. If this becomes a problem, remove the diseased branches, repot in a dry and fast-draining mix, and be more conservative with your watering.

Temperature and Humidity

If grown outdoors, it's best to grow epiphyllum in pots or hanging baskets, so you can move these tender plants indoors when the temperatures drop. They won't survive in frosty conditions or when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.1

If you keep your orchid cactus indoors, it might need a different location in the winter from during the growing season. From spring to autumn, temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit are best, and a cooler place that still provides filtered light is ideal in the winter. Temperatures from around 50 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal and away from radiators and cold draughts. When the buds of the blooms appear, move to the warmer location again.

Epiphyllums need higher humidity to thrive. Standing on a tray of wet gravel (making sure the plant's roots aren't absorbing the water), misting the stems, or using a humidifier can be helpful.

Fertilizer

Conservatively fertilizing your epiphyllum a couple of times a year is beneficial for encouraging strong growth and bud stimulation. However, because they grow naturally in an environment with low nutrient levels, be careful not to overfeed. A balanced, slow-release type that isn't too high in nitrogen works well (i.e., not above 10%). A 2-10-10 application in early spring can help to encourage healthy blooms.

Types of Orchid Cacti

There are less than 20 true epiphyllum species, but thousands of hybrid varieties that come with a wide range of different sizes, shapes, growing habits and bloom colors. Some hobbyist favorites include:

Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum): This popular species is known for their rare, large, and fragrant flowers that bloom at night. The flower's funnel shape gives the plant its other common name—the Dutchman's pipe cactus.

Climbing cactus (Epiphyllum phyllanthus): If you want a smaller epi, this stout species could be for you. The flowers might be smaller than some varieties, but the beautiful pink tinge in the centre is eye-catching.

Epiphyllum 'Wendy': This epi hybrid has large pink flowers that bloom during the day rather than at night. However, they don't have the fragrance of true epiphyllum species.

Pruning

Slow-growing, epiphyllum can grow large and their trailing stems can get heavy. Cut the stems to a shorter length if you don't want to support them with unsightly canes or twine. Use the cuttings to propagate new plants. New shoots usually grow behind the cut. If you cut numerous stems, your plant won't need as much water.

Propagating Epiphyllum

Propagating by stem cuttings is the quickest and easiest way to produce new epiphyllum. It also means your plant will be true to type. If you're lucky, they might even flower the following year. Follow these suggestions for rooting your stem cuttings:

Select healthy stem sections that are around 9 inches in length (if your cutting isn't long enough, it can take longer to flower)

Allow the wound to dry and fully callus (harden)—this takes at least a week and is important to prevent rot.

Put the cutting vertically into a fast-draining cactus potting mix with additional pumice or perlite. Insert at least the bottom 1.5 to 2 inches of the stem.

Leave in a warm, dappled light position and don't select a pot that is too large (epis like to be a little rootbound).

Start with just misting the cutting. Then, water once roots begin to form and make sure the potting mix remains damp (not soggy). Keep it at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

It should take around a month to six weeks for the cutting to root.

How to Grow Orchid Cacti From Seed

Epiphyllum seeds aren't easy to source commercially, and there's no guarantee they will grow true to type. Producing your own seeds means you'll have to pollinate the flowers by hand, and you'll need two simultaneously flowering male and female plants. These difficulties, plus the fact that it can take at least four years for the plants to flower, mean propagating from cutting is much easier and more common.

Potting and Repotting Epiphyllum

To increase the chances of your epiphyllum flowering, you'll want to make sure you don't opt for too big a container or hanging basket. These plants like to be relatively root-bound and don't need repotting often—it's unlikely you'll need to repot more than once every six to seven years. When you repot, do it after they have flowered to minimize root disturbance. Selecting a heavy container will help to keep the plant stable as the trailing stems grow.

Common Pests

Serious pests and diseases aren't something that often bothers epiphyllums. However, keep an eye out for pesky mealybugs, aphids, fungus gnats, and red spider mites. Slugs and snails also love the thick stems of these plants, but hanging them in elevated baskets outside can help to minimize this problem.

How to Get Orchid Cacti to Bloom

This genus is famous for its large, fragrant flowers. Because of the wide variety of cultivars and hybrids, you have many bloom colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from. However, most of the main species only produce short-lived, white flowers that bloom at night. Flowers range from 1 to 12 inches in size and can bloom from just one night to a week. The smaller flowers tend to last longer. Depending on the variety, starting flowering times can vary from April to July. Occasionally, off-season blooming occurs in early spring and fall.

Moving your indoor epiphyllum to a cooler winter location and reducing water while never letting the plant completely dry out greatly increases the chance of a successful bloom the following season. Wait for the flower buds to form and then return the plant to its normal, warmer location.

Common Questions 

How long can orchid cacti live?

Epiphyllum are long-lived and can provide interest for many years with the right growing conditions. Just be careful with your watering schedule, sunlight, and temperatures.

What plants are similar to epiphyllum?

If you're looking for a plant that resembles epiphyllum and has similar growing requirements, you can try a holiday cactus (Schlumbergera). These succulents like similar warm, humid, and moist conditions with filtered sunlight. Schlumbergera, however, are faster-growing and not as large as many epi species, and they bloom in the fall and winter.

Is the fruit of epiphyllum edible?

The small fruit of many epiphyllum species is edible. It's said to be similar to that of the pitahaya (dragon fruit), a closely-related plant.

Top Ornamental Plants To Grow In Your Garden

Today we will be talking about  ornamental plants  as they can be grown inside and outside of your house? They are, in fact, very adaptive to where they are planted.

However, if you are looking into planting your flowers, trees, or shrubs for the first time, then you should always take into consideration the climate you live in as they tend to have specific special requirements.

Ornamental plants are so common nowadays that it’s very likely you either have one inside your house or someone close to you have one as well!

They are grown for display purposes, thus, they have gained popularity within the last couple of years.

However, some plants can be ornamental and functional, but more often than not, ornamental plants tend to be the ones that do not have any utility to humans, so we tend to think of them as beautiful and attractive, but that’s it.

They give our senses some joy, thus, they only serve a decoration purpose. As a result, ornamental plants come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, and they usually adapt well to different climates as well.

In addition, some ornamental plants are known for showy foliage. This foliage can be deciduous (which means it will change colors throughout the seasons), or they can simply be evergreen (as the name indicates the foliage remains green throughout the year).

But, which ones are the best ones to grow in your garden? Continue reading and find out, I’m sure you’ll go to your local nursery in no time after reading this article!

Why Should You Grow Ornamental Plants In Your Garden?

Whenever you are growing, maintaining, or simply buying a plant because of its color, fragrance, foliage, shape, or design, then you are getting an ornamental plant.

This type of plant tends to catch everybody’s attention because they tend to be truly beautiful, but, at the same time, they can bring fresh air into your home, and, in some cases, they can even act as a repellent for mosquitoes or any other types of bugs. 

Types of Ornamental Plants You Can Choose

There are many types of ornamental plants. These are the most common ones that you could easily grow in your garden either in a pot, flower beds or as sidewalk and border plants.

Roses

One of the most common and loved ornamental plants in the world, this is why they are often called the ‘’Queen of Flowers’’. There are so many rose species and cultivars that you can pick.

Roses are easily grown, they come in a wide range of colors, and if you would like your garden to have a more vibrant space, then have you considered growing some roses? 

They are great for landscaping! Choose your favourite type from rose bushes, rose shrubs, and even climbing roses.

Desert rose

Desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a low-maintenance flowering succulent which is very easy to grow. It has pink and white trumpet-shaped flowers and you can find many different hybrids of this plant in many nurseries.

Desert rose can be planted in the ground or inside a pot. Because of its easy-to-shape characteristic, it is often trained as a bonsai plant. Desert rose bonsai is a good choice for bonsai beginners.

Lavender

Another type of ornamental plant you definitely need to have in your garden. Even though you can make oils or decorate food with lavender, they are often considered an ornamental plant precisely because of the way they can grow in any garden. 

Lavender will also enhance your outdoor space with distinctive aromas that could potentially attract hummingbirds or pollinators in general.

Sage

If you are looking into diversifying your garden with different types of ornamental plants then have you considered growing sage?

It’s not only easy to grow but you could also even use it in the kitchen! Its unique flavor will sure bring your plates into life. Sages can be purple, white, and even blue!

Marigold

An all-time favorite plant for those who love to design their landscapes! Marigolds are known for bringing lots of color into any garden!

They have a mixture of colors, including, red, gold, yellow, and copper. If you decide to plant Marigolds, make sure you have patience as this type of plant will bloom in late summer!

Mint

Everybody knows about mint, but not everybody is aware of how easy it is to grow! In fact, in some places, this plant is considered to be a weed because it easily spreads everywhere. 

So, if you could either make sure your mint has a growing area where they can expand themselves or you will have a garden fill with mint, which is not a bad thing, especially when it’s one of the best mosquito repellent plants you can grow.

Rosemary

This is a perennial evergreen shrub that stays green year round and has blue flowers. It is often used in the kitchen, as it has a very distinctive aromatic presence but also provinces a sweet flavor to any dish.

If you are thinking about growing rosemary in your garden, then do it! It is definitely one of the easiest ornamental garden plants to maintain. 

Thyme

Thyme is another herb that is often used as an aromatic plant in many parts of the world. It has a strong and distinctive flavor, however, if you are not too keen on it you can still plant it as an ornamental type of plant.

There are many types of thyme, so, make sure you eat either the English one which is the most common one as well. 

Basil

If you are into pesto, then you are into basil! This ornamental plant is a fragrant herb that will add an exquisite flavor to any dish you cook. And would you like to know another great thing about basil? It’s so easy to plant and to maintain. 

In fact, you don’t need to do much to keep it healthy, just make sure you plant it before or during the summer as they don’t do well in a cold environment! There are also many types of this plant, for example, purple basil, sweet basil, and even lemony basil! 

Lilies

Lilies are one of the most beloved ornamental plants in the world. They are known throughout different cultures and they can grow all over the place as well. 

Plant some ornamental lilies in your garden and you will receive lots of birds and pollinators each day. They come in a wide range of colors, so pick your favorite between red, pink, or purple.

Tulips

How beautiful are they, don’t you agree? Tulips can brighten everyone’s day as they have intense and vibrant colors! They will bloom once the weather is warmer and any sign of frost has disappeared. 

Even though they are very tolerant of harsh climate conditions, they still prefer to grow in warm weather. 

Daffodils

Daffodils have a vibrant and bright yellow flower which announces that spring is about to, well, spring! 

Daffodils are hardy ornamental plants that could easily grow in most regions of the world if the right and basic conditions are met. So, if you plant them in autumn they will likely bloom in early spring. 

Onion Plants

You are probably thinking, why is an onion plant in this list? Well, did you know that they can be an ornamental plant? 

Just like thyme or basil, if you plant an onion that has some sprouts then they will produce green sprouts (the green leaves that grow) that are edible! 

American Wisteria

This type of ornamental plant has a very fragrant vine that you will recognize from afar. It can grow up to 50 feet in length, and its flowers tend to be purple and dark blue. 

Wisteria prefers to be fully exposed to the sun, although if you live in a hot climate then you should plant them under partial shade.

This plant can also be trained as a bonsai tree. You can buy wisteria bonsai from many online or local nurseries.

Petunias

Usually grown as an annual plant, they are very popular amongst gardeners who like to bring a wow factor into their landscapes.

They could be Grandiflora petunias (they have colorful large flowers), or they could be Multiflora petunias (they have abundant and colorful flowers). They tend to resist harsh climates, thus, they are a great option for any type of weather. 

Lilac

Lilac flowers are another type of ornamental plant. They prefer warm weather and they have such a sweet fragrance that once you smell one you will never forget about it.

Lilacs can bring many pollinators to your garden, but they will also make your outdoor space look even better as they have a vibrant pink, yellow, and white color. 

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is very easy to grow and maintain, which is perfect for any garden! They come in bulbs and they tend to have a long-lasting life.

They are very popular with many flower gardeners mainly because they can catch everybody’s attention with their different colors (you can find them in red, pink, salmon, and orange, to name a few). 

Geranium

Most gardeners will agree on something: geraniums are perfect for any garden! Not only are they easy to grow but they are also so colorful that you will have a party full of pollinators every day in your garden. 

Geraniums also have a beautiful fragrance and they do well in different types of climates.

Spider plant

Also known as the Chlorophytum comosum, this type of plant is very easy to grow!

Its name derives from the fact that the daughters of the mother plan dangle down as if they were spiders on a web, which makes it such a unique sight. They also bloom into white flowers.

Snake plant

This ornamental plant is also known as Dracaena trifasciata or mother-in-law’s tongue, how funny is that? They are resilient ornamental foliage plants that will help you remove all the damaging toxins that can be found in your house or garden.

Most people place them inside of their houses because of their striking appearance and the many great health benefits they have, but they can also be planted in any garden. 

Golden pothos

Also known as the Money plant, if you decide to have this ornamental plant in your garden then you won’t regret it. It’s super easy to take care for with distinctly colored leaves and they tend to grow fairly fast.

They will need to be under a shade as they don’t like to have direct sunlight on top of them and you don’t need to water them every day. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Ornamental Plants

Is it difficult to cultivate ornamental plants?

Not at all! Most of them require specific work such as pruning, however, most of them are very low-maintenance and are easy to propagate, if you wish to do so. 

Are there any differences between an ornamental plant and a utilitarian crop?

There are some differences between these two types of plants. For example, a utilitarian and crop plant will allow you to feed yourself, others, and any livestock you may have, so you are doing agriculture with those vegetable crops. 

On the other hand, even though ornamental plants can also be edible, thus they will serve a utility for you, they are usually in your garden as a way to attract pollinators, beautify your outdoor space, and you won’t require them to do much, except to simply exist. 

How to choose the best ornamental plant for my garden?

Another important question! You will need to study and observe your climate, so questions like, ‘’what’s the weather like where I am?’’ or ‘’do we have enough rainfall to water our plants?’’ are some things you should be answering. 

You will also need to look into what you like and how willing you are to grow what you want. Some ornamental plants will prefer one type of soil over others, so make sure you do some research before planting anything.

How to maintain an ornamental plant to keep it healthy?

Most ornamental plants will require you to fertilize them, prune them, and water them. You will also need to be aware that there are pests that will try to attack your plants, so, one solution for this may be to mulch them properly. 

Don’t worry though, you can have a low-maintenance landscape in your garden that will still be very beautiful for years to come. 

Best Low Light Succulents For Growing Indoors

 In this article, we introduce a wide variety of choices in low light succulents and provide basic information on their care.

What Is Low Light Conditions?

It’s important to understand low light conditions and no light are not the same things.

No plant (even the snake plant aka mother-in-law’s tongue) can live with no light.

Low light conditions are a location away from a window indoors or in a lightly shaded setting outdoors.

For example, an indoor succulent plant placed on a dining room table or on a shelf away from a window in an otherwise well-lit room is in a low light setting.

Outdoors, plants receiving dappled sunlight under trees are in low light settings.

In a setting with no light, such as a bathroom with a very small window or no window, it’s necessary to provide light through the use of a grow light.

In this sort of situation, a succulent doing well in a low light setting will typically do well with artificial light conditions.

Even so, you should rotate plants from artificial light to natural light on a regular basis for the best results.

Low Light Succulents At A Glance

Sedum morganianum (Donkey’s Tail, Burro’s Tail)

Donkey Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) also has a smaller variety known as Burrito Sedum, Donkey’s Tail, or Burro’s Tail because it grows in an attractive trailing formation producing stems as long as 3’ feet.

Burro’s tail is an excellent choice as a hanging plant or as house plants in a shady partial shade spot or a north-facing window.

It also does quite well planted in a window box along the north-facing wall.

Aloe vera (Medicinal Aloe)

Aloe vera is also known as Aloe Barbadensis or medicinal Aloe.

Aloe vera is a very common and popular low light succulent thriving and reproducing readily in a consistent indoor setting or a sheltered outdoor setting in a warm climate.

There are several varieties of Aloe.

Some are solid green while others may be variegated with creamy, horizontal stripes.

Aloe variegata (Partridge Breasted Aloe)

Partridge Breasted Aloe or Aloe Variegata is an example of a variation on the Aloe vera plant.

This is a dwarf Aloe species from South Africa which may bloom with fetching coral-colored flowers late in the wintertime or early in the springtime.

This short, plump Aloe is a good choice as a desk plant.

It does well under the typical fluorescent light provided in an office setting.

Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)

Aloe aristata is another very small variation on the Aloe plant.

It grows in a very dense rosette formation and has white spots which are slightly raised.

Senecio radicans (String of Bananas)

Senecio radicans is also known as String of Bananas because it grows in long tendrils with small, slightly curved leaves looking like tiny bananas.

This dangling succulent is an excellent choice in a hanging basket or shelf in low light conditions.

Outdoors, it can do well in a window box, or hanging planter kept in bright, dappled partial shade.

Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)

Also known as String of Pearls because, like String of Bananas it grows on long tendrils sporting tiny, round leaves resembling green pearls.

This is another dangling succulent which does quite well tumbling over the sides of a basket, window box, or high shelf in a shady setting.

Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts)

Ceropegia woodii also known as String of Hearts or Rosary Vine. The popular Ceropegia woodii is treated by some as a subspecies of Ceropegia linearis.

This plant is semi-succulent which produces attractive heart-shaped leaves and tiny spherical tubers or buds resembling rosary beads.

Like the other “string type” succulents, this plant is a good choice for a high shelf, window box, or hanging planter in a low light setting.

Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue)

Sansevieria is the classic house plant commonly known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue or Snake Plants.

The indestructible snake plants come in several variations, including the bird-nest snake plant and all do quite well in very low light conditions, partial shade but also direct sunlight.

Various iterations of Trifasciata have lance-like dark green leaves either solid colored or variegated with silvery markings and yellow edging.

Depending upon the Sansevieria variant, leaves may be a few inches high or as tall as a foot high.

NOTE: With acclimation, the Mother-In-Laws Tongue (snake plants) will also grow in full sun exposure. Overwatering can cause root rot.

Haworthia margaritifera (Tulista pumila)

Haworthia margaritifera may also be referred to as Haworthia pumila or Tulista pumila or commonly as Pearl Plant.

The pearl plant from South Africa is a relative of the Aloe family and looks quite similar.

All the Haworthias are low-growing plants and many sports lots of pearl-like white bumps creating a contrast to its dark, green leaves.

The plant grows tubular, greenish-white flowers atop a tall flower stalk in the middle of the summer.

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia attenuata)

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia attenuata) is another Haworthia quite similar to Pearl Plant but sports raised, bumpy stripes instead of bumpy spots.

Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)

Crassula ovata is commonly known as the Jade Plant.

There are a number of varieties of the jade plant, and all of them do well in indoor or otherwise protected shady settings.

The plants grow fairly slowly and can take a while to become too large for a pot or container.

If grown outdoors, they can grow to the size of a small tree or bush.

Outdoors, Jade plants may produce lots of very small pink flowers in the springtime.

Indoors, this is unlikely.

Euphorbia tithymaloides (Pedilanthus tithymaloides) Devils Backbone

Euphorbia tithymaloides has many common names including:

Red Slipper Spurge

Christmas Candle

Devils Backbone

Redbird Flower

Redbird Cactus

Slipper Plant

Jew’s Slipper

Zigzag Plant

Buckthorn

This quite poisonous plant has very striking variegated foliage growing from zigzagging stems.

Outdoors it can grow in direct sunlight and reach 8’ feet tall.

Indoors, growing in indirect lighting conditions it will get quite large but is controlled through pruning.

Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns)

The common name for the Crown of Thorns plant.

This plant makes a good structural succulent when kept in a low-light setting, but it will not bloom in a low-light setting.

It’s also grown in full sun or strong afternoon sun, where it blooms almost continuously.

This plant, along with all Euphorbias is quite toxic.

Schlumbergera (Claw Cactus)

Schlumbergera (Zygocactus) is an epiphytic jungle cactus coming in a number of variations commonly known as Claw cacti, Crab cactus, Holiday cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus, and Christmas cactus.

These plants are readily available in grocery stores, department stores, and nurseries at the time of year when they typically bloom.

The plants grow in a segmented fashion and produce bright pink, orange or red flowers during their typical growing season.

Rhipsalis baccifera (mistletoe cactus)

Rhipsalis baccifera is also known as mistletoe cactus, which is a very interesting epiphyte producing long, cylindrical stems growing up to 10’ feet.

It also produces remarkable clusters of attractive white flowers.

In the wild, this plant grows very high up in trees.

As a houseplant, it is a good candidate for use as a hanging plant or in a humid setting such as a bathroom.

Gasteria

The Gasteria plant is rather similar to Aloe and Haworthia, but it is a shorter, plumper, and more compact version.

Its leaves are deep green with raised, white bumps in the centers of the leaves.

Furthermore, the margins of the plant’s round leaves are also adorned with raised, white, bumpy markings.

These plants from South Africa are very slow-growing and stay quite small.

They make a nice decoration in small nooks and crannies where they receive bright indirect light.

Look for two varieties: Liliputana and Bicolor.

Gasteria batesiana

Gasteria batesiana is another variegated version of Gasteria.

It is also known as Ox Tongue because the leaves are rather rough-textured.

Rather than being round, they are triangular.

This larger version of Gasteria is a natural, wild variant growing outdoors in partial shade and very shady lighting conditions.

It has very simple needs and sprouts up naturally between rocks and on the edges of cliffs and in other settings which would be quite challenging for most plants.

Gasteraloe (Green Ice)

Gasteraloe is also known as Green Ice.

This plant is a hybrid cross between Aloe vera and Gasteria.

These plants are very attractive, and like most hybrids, they retain the best qualities of both of their parents.

They’re very hardy and do quite well in low-light conditions.

It’s sometimes hard to find Gasteraloe, but an online search will reveal good results.

These plants ship well and so order with confidence.

Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)

Kalanchoe tomentosa is also known as Panda Plant or Pussy’s Ear because its leaves are velvety soft.

Leaves also have pretty markings with deep, reddish-brown tips against a gray-blue background.

This plant has a compact growth habit and does well with consistent, filtered indirect light.

Rotate it in and out of a lower light setting at three-month intervals without harming the plant. It will also grow well in bright light.

Cotyledon tomentosa (Bear Paw)

Cotyledon tomentosa is also known as Bear Paws because it has lovely, fuzzy leaves.

There are two types of Cotyledon.

One type has a summertime growing period, and the other type has a wintertime growing period.

Both are semi-dormant in the summertime.

These small plants do quite well in containers because they top out at about a foot tall.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katie)

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is grown as a holiday cactus. It is also known as Flaming Katie because of its beautiful, bright orange, long-lasting flowers.

This plant does well in a low-light indoor setting after the flowers have bloomed.

After blooming, you should cut back the flowers of Flaming Katy and move them into a bright light setting or ideally move into a permanent outdoor setting.

Kalanchoe is also known as the mother of thousands.

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (Zanzibar Gem)

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is also known as Zanzibar Gem or simply as ZZ Plant.

This plant is a rhizomatous perennial capable of doing quite well in low-light situations; however, you must remember NOT to water it frequently because these succulents store their water in the rhizomes.

The plant is quite rugged, but it does need good care to flourish.

Healthy plants have leathery, shiny leaves.

The base of the stems may be slightly swollen with stored water. Keep soil moist.

Beaucarnea recurvata (Elephant’s Foot Plant)

Beaucarnea recurvata is also known as Elephant Foot plant or Ponytail Palm, but it is not a palm.

The ponytail palm plant is a succulent that stores its water in its thick trunk.

The thick swollen trunk looks like an elephant’s foot, hence one of the common names.

The other common name comes from the fact the foliage grows in an attractive ponytail shape.

This plant thrives in full sun and lots of direct sunlight, but it also does quite well with other low-light succulents in a partial shade setting.

Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)

Attenuata agave is also known as Swan’s Neck, Foxtail Agave, or Lion’s Tail.

This rugged agave has the typical rosette formation of leaves and also blooms quite attractively in the springtime.

This is a large choice for a shady or low-light setting growing as tall as 5’ feet.

Sedum ternatum (stonecrop)

Sedum ternatum is commonly called stonecrop.

It is one of many plants going under the common name of stonecrop because these succulents do quite well even in rocky, gravelly soil with few nutrients.

These small plants thrive in cool, shady settings indoors or out and are used as a ground cover.

Aeonium Kiwi (Kiwi Aeonium)

Also known as Kiwi Aeonium. This is a very rugged little succulent that does quite well in shady spaces in hot climates.

It is quite a drought-resistant and grows in compact rosettes with thick spoon-like leaves.

The colorful leaves have a bright red edging, a green background, and a yellow spot in the center.

These succulents are monocarpic, meaning they flower only once in their lifetime and die.

Like most succulents, they leave pups behind to take their place.

Agave bracteosa (Squid Agave)

Also called Squid Agave because it looks something like a small squid.

It’s a good, compact rock garden or container plant, it does quite well outdoors with eastern or northern exposure.

Hoya finlaysonii

The Hoya plant goes by the common name the Wax Plant of which Hoya carnosa is the most popular.

The Hoya Hindu Rope Plant features curling foliage providing a very distinct look.

Hoya finlaysonii is a climbing succulent and very attractive when trained to climb a structure in a low light setting.

It will also trail if planted in a basket.

Leaves may be either light or dark green and have an attractive vein-like pattern.

When kept in a humid location with filtered sunlight, the wax plant may produce fragrant white or burgundy flowers.

Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Orchid Cactus)

Also known as the epiphyllum cactus but also:

Orchid cactus

Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus

Under ideal conditions, this plant may have pretty, fragrant flowers in the evening which wilt at sunrise.

This is a tropical plant needing a consistently warm setting with the bright filtered morning sun to thrive.

Asplenium fern (Bird’s Nest Fern)

Asplenium fern is also known as Bird’s Nest Fern because it grows in a tightly gathered cluster on tree trunks or sometimes on buildings.

Although this plant is a fern, it is an epiphytic succulent.

Even so, it will grow in moist, yet well-draining, potting soil.

Alternately, mount it on a branch or plank of wood to hang on your wall and care for it as an epiphyte.

Tips On Growing Low Light Succulents in Shade

Clearly, because succulents come in a wide variety of types of plants, ranging from epiphytes to drought-resistant cactus-like plants to tropical humidity-loving plants, the care for shade-loving succulents varies greatly from plant to plant.

Be careful not to take a one-size-fits-all approach.

Instead, evaluate the setting you have and research the plants you have in mind to determine which ones can thrive in your specific conditions.

Succulents will all do well with some bright light for some part of every day.

If the light is too strictly restricted, your succulent will become weakened leggy and will not flower.

Six hours daily of filtered sunlight or good artificial light is highly recommended for any succulent.

Because succulents, by definition, hold and store their own water, most are able to do well with infrequent watering.

Like most plants, a deep, thorough occasional watering is preferable to small amounts of water applied frequently.

Remember to always use containers with ample drainage holes.

All succulents require a fast-draining substrate to prevent the roots and stem from standing in water.

This is a recipe for root and stem rot.

Be sure to choose a planting medium intended for orchids when planting an epiphytic succulent.

Choose a cactus mix for all others.

With careful analysis of your own setting and careful choice of plants, it’s possible to create a lush and vibrant shady place or a succulent low light garden of your very own.