Aeonium Urbicum

Graptopetalum paraguayensis , or the “ghost plant”, is a great, trailing, wandering, ground cover. We love the colors that this plant brings out in a design, complementing the blues, pinks, and purples that so many of the gorgeous succulents have to offer. Each plant has its own unique coloring and shades to offer. It’s extreme hardiness and coloring make it an incredibly versatile plant. We’ve seen it used as a sprawling ground cover, mounding up and filling in entire planters, or for spot color in the smallest of arrangements. Something overlooked, or sometimes unknown about succulents, is that stress brings out their best color. It’s often a combination of factors that causes the stress and each succulents vibrance, but colder temperatures, less water, and more sun, are the big three factors that come into play. Most succulents, in full sun, in the winter, receiving just the right amount of water, will have the best color here in Southern California. With that being said, there is no “one size fits all” answer to bringing out the best color in each plant. Experiment, tweak, and enjoy playing with your succulents.

More Succulent Tips

Drought-Tolerant Plants And Other Water-Wise Landscape Trends

We always encourage using drought-tolerant plants and other savvy methods of reducing water waste in the garden, but this year it’s extra important! Our projected rainfall for the year is much less than typical, so every drop of H2O counts. To save you from spending...

6 Trailing Succulents That Look Sublime in Hanging Baskets

Everyone loves trailing plants, and everyone loves succulents, so why not go for the best of both worlds and snag some trailing succulents? They’re the best way to max out your space with lush greenery, even when you don’t have much shelf space. Hang a couple in your...

How to Design a Succulent Rock Garden

For a dreamy desert landscape full of vibrant colors and fascinating textures, learn how to design your own rock garden with succulents and cacti!

Elephant Bush Flowers

Nearly all plants flower. Trees, shrubs, vines, and even weeds produce flowers. However, in many cases, it takes many years for a plant to reach a flowering maturity and can be an uncommon sight. The flowers on the portulacaria afra, or “Elephants Food” (because in...

Meet the Mangave ‘Praying Hands’

If you’re always on the hunt for that one plant that stops people in their tracks—something sculptural, easy to care for, and undeniably unique—then allow us to introduce the Mangave 'Praying Hands.' A rare and artful hybrid of Agave and Manfreda, this remarkable...

How to Care for Lithops Succulents

If, after watching E.T., you’ve always secretly wished for your own pet alien to care for, then we highly suggest getting a lithops plant. These peculiar yet adorable succulents have a distinctly alien-like vibe. Most folks know them as “living stones,” some compare...

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi “Aurora Borealis”

Kalanchoe Fedtschenkoi Marginata "Aurora Borealis". The name of this plant is a real mouthful. The scalloped purple leaves of the Fedtschenkoi take on bright ivory, cream, colored edges. These cream edges cast a soft pink band when exposed to higher light. Aurora...

Agave Joe Hoak

A hardy sport of “The Variegated Smooth Agave” , agave ‘Joe Hoak’, has a soft creme and green paintbrush stroke down the center of each leaf. Each leaf also varies in variegation, but a tricolor appearance sets it apart from its regular variegated counterpart. This...

Sunburst Aeonium

Aeonium Sunburst varies a great deal from plant to plant. Some will grow on strong sturdy stems as singular plants, while others will produce many offsets and grow into unique character pieces. Even the variegation of each sunburst is different from plant to plant....

Sempervivum Arachnoideum “Cobweb Buttons”

A unique, densely carpeting groundcover with fine white cotton like threads between the leaves tips that form a cobweb appearance. Aptly called “Cobweb Buttons” this plant is one of the many sempervivums in cultivar today. The green leaves can change colors with the...

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