Need an indoor beauty for indirect light? The wide world of succulents have you covered
In our mind’s eye, we picture deserts as harsh places: super-heated sand and rocks drenched in sunlight so intense that the air itself seems to shimmer.
Those arid regions are populated with succulent plants bravely enduring the scorching conditions. But wait. Plenty of other desert succulents – including quite a few cactuses – find shelter under scraggly shrubs or by growing in north-facing fissures on rocky hillsides. Those are the plants that can thrive as houseplants in bright, indirect light.
Among the best succulents for such conditions are Haworthias, numbering about 30 species in addition to hybrids and varieties. Generally less than six inches tall, Haworthias – from South Africa – are attractive clumping plants that can be green, black or purple, often with silvery markings.
Among popular Haworthias are zebra plant, pearly dots and H. venosa, all of which can live contentedly on northern windowsills if screens are removed.
Gasteria, with about 75 species, is another popular and striking genus for indoor sills. Collectively called ox tongues, Gasterias feature flat, leathery foliage that’s generally green or black and liberally ornamented with white bands.
Although most of these South African clumping species are diminutive, at least one – G. excelsa – can grow two feet tall and three feet across. Among the best for windowsill culture is G. bicolor var. liliputana, a plant that won’t outgrow a five-inch pot.
My favorite succulents are Faucarias. They boast thick, wedgelike leaves presented in pairs that bristle with white teeth that look spiny but are soft.
Faucarias – also from South Africa – definitely appear predacious and are aptly known as tiger jaws. Some of the finest of these small, clumping species are Faucaria felina, tigrina and tuberculosa.
And then there’s Echeveria, a mostly Mexican genus of rosette-forming plants that can be green, powder blue, orange or silver. Indeed, I’ve never encountered an Echeveria that wasn’t attractive – or at least extremely interesting.
Brazilian plume Loved by generations of Florida gardeners, they are starting to flower
The genus Euphorbia – which is gigantic – has several species suitable for growing in reduced light, but the best is E. obesa, a South African species that’s perfectly round in its youth. Known as baseball euphorbia and gingham golf ball, this subtly attractive plant, which tops out at eight inches, becomes columnar in old age but retains its charm.
Regarding cactuses, some Tropical American Echimopsis, including cob cactus (E. marsoneri) and peanut cactus (E. chamaecereus) do well in bright, indirect light. So do several Gymnocalycium species from Tropical America. Among the best are G. horstii, quehliam and bruchii.
For the finest indoor cactuses, however, my recommendations are the orange-crested Turk’s caps: Melocactus matanzanus and salvadoriensis, from Tropical America.
Plant to ponder: Aloe aristata
A small African succulent, Aloe aristata grows just six inches tall and wide in either bright, filtered light or full sun.
Some specimens offset freely, but others rarely produce pups. Provide well-drained soil, and propagate by division.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Indoor gardeners grow succulents to perfection in low light
