The United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map is used by farmers and gardeners to determine the average, or the range, of the annual minimum winter temperature of different regions of the country. This map is divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones
Plants that are hardy to zone 10 are those that can withstand a minimum temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
In this article, we will discuss 10 of the best succulents that can thrive in these environments, to help you understand exactly what you can plant in your outdoor and indoor gardens.
10 best succulents for zone 10
1. Cactus
Cacti are some of the hardiest succulents around. They are able to store water in their bodies and use this to survive extended periods of drought.
They can grow in most climates around the world; many different cacti can be found in North America and East Africa, for example, and not just desert climates.
Some cacti have even been found in cold climates, as well as some in rainforests.
This resilience is one of the reasons these plants have become so popular among home gardeners.
They also come in different shapes and sizes, so gardeners have many options when it comes to adding these plants to their collections.
Examples of cacti that do well in hardiness zone 10 are the Golden Barrel, Peanut, Lady Finger, Dwarf Chin, Powder Puff, Thimble and Christmas cacti.
2. Aeonium
Aeonium succulents include more than 30 different species and typically have waxy or glossy leaves that grow in a rosette formation.
The leaves are often rounded and are arranged so symmetrically that the plants are frequently mistaken for fakes. The leaf color can be green, red, yellow, or white.
These plants grow star-shaped flowers in clusters at the center of the rosettes.
In warmer climates, aeoniums grow well directly in the ground, but they are just fine planted in containers or pots as well.
In colder climates, it is best to bring them indoors in their pots when winter comes around.
Examples of aeoniums that do well in hardiness zone 10 are Aeonium Black Rose, Kiwi, Lily Pad, Mardi Gras, Suncup and Sunburst.
3. Echeveria
Echeverias also grow in rosette formation and come in a variety of colors and sizes that you can choose from.
They produce flowers that are either red-orange, yellow-tipped or pink.
Echeverias are faster-growing succulents than most, which is why they make great ground cover for gardens.
These plants thrive in hot, dry conditions and do not do that well in cold temperatures for extended periods.
In hardiness zone 10 they can be planted directly in the ground, but if you live in colder places, they might be better off in pots or containers so they can be easily brought indoors during the winter.
Examples of Echeveria varieties that do well in zone 10 are the Painted Nodusula, Black Prince, Topsy turvy, Black Knight, Raindrops, White Rose, Blue Sky and Lipstick echeverias.
4. Sedum
Sedums come in an extensive array of shapes, sizes and colors.
They are also known as stonecrop succulents, and they can withstand long periods of drought thanks to their fleshy leaves that can absorb and store water.
These plants produce star-like flowers that bloom during the late growing season.
The best time to plant sedums is in late spring. They grow moderately fast, depending on the variety you have.
There are some sedums that may not grow well in hardiness zone 10, but generally speaking, these plants are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.
Examples of sedums that do well in zone 10 are the Donkey’s Tail, California Sunset, Little Gem, FireStorm, Jelly Bean and Major sedums.
5. Senecio
There are over 1,000 Senecio varieties all over the world, and 100 of these are succulents.
These succulents are typically grown in outdoor gardens in warmer climates, and in containers in colder climates.
They are considered toxic to animals, so make sure you keep them out of your pets’ reach for their safety.
Most senecios thrive anywhere between hardiness zones 9 to 12, as many of them are heat tolerant. However, extended exposure to cold temperatures is not advisable as this can easily cause the plant to go mushy and die.
Senecio varieties that thrive in Zone 10 are the pickle plant, the candle plant, vertical leaf senecio, ruby necklace, swizzle sticks and blue chalk sticks.
6. Crassula
Crassulas comprise a genus of over 200 species. The most popular member of this genus is probably Crassula ovata, or the jade plant.
Crassulas can either look like small trees or grow like shrubs, and they can be woody or herbaceous.
These plants are slow-growers that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. They can be toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach for your pet’s safety.
Crassulas can be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 9 to 12. If you live in a region where the winters can get quite cold, then they may be better off as houseplants.
A mild frost is okay for some varieties, but extended exposures to temperatures lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit may be enough to kill the plants.
Crassulas that thrive in hardiness zone 10 include the Shark Tooth, Camp Fire, Baby Necklace, Silver Springtime, Gollum Jade, Moonglow, Falcata and Tiger’s Jaw crassulas.
7. Aloe
Aloes are some of the most popular succulents grown around the world. The gel contained in their leaves has medicinal benefits, such as a skin salve for minor burns and wounds.
While Aloe vera is the most popular, there are actually more than 300 aloe species. The leaves of these plants grow from the base and form a rosette, and it takes most aloes four years to reach full maturity as they are relatively fast-growing succulents.
Aloes grow best between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can probably tolerate short periods of frost, but need to be taken indoors if the cold weather is expected to go on for extended periods.
Aloe varieties that do well in zone 10 are the Aloe polyphylla, Aloe aculeata, climbing Aloe, and the shortleaf Aloe.
8. Sempervivum
Sempervivums are another type of succulents that requires very little care and attention to grow. They are hardy plants whose leaves also grow in a beautiful, symmetrical rosette formation.
These are slow-growing succulents that tend to remain green throughout the year, even in colder climates. They can grow in poor conditions and do well in a wide range of temperatures.
They do best between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and if they are exposed to temperatures lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, they may die or go into a semi-dormant state.
Examples of sempervivums that do well in zone 10 are the Fashion Diva, Greenii, Killer and Terracotta Baby sempervivums.
9. Cotyledon
Cotyledons are native to the southern parts of Africa, and there are over two dozen species of these shrub-like succulents. Most members of this genus have tubular flowers and globular seeds.
These plants are toxic when consumed, so make sure you keep them far out of the reach of small children and pets.
If you live in a climate that typically has below-freezing temperatures, you might need to take these plants indoors during the winter. Remember that these plants are not frost-tolerant and could die when left out in the cold.
There are species of cotyledon that can handle extreme heat better than others.
Examples of cotyledons that do well in zone 10 include the bear’s paw plant, Cotyledon pendens, pig’s ear plant, and the Gray Sticks cotyledon.
10. Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe genus includes over 100 species of plants. These have become quite popular because they are low-maintenance and have unique-looking leaves, as well as flowers that bloom repeatedly if exposed to the right amount of light.
Kalanchoes are slow-growing plants that may take anywhere between two and five years to reach full maturity. They can come in white, yellow, pink or red.
Remember that these plants can be toxic to dogs and cats, so make sure they are kept far away from your pets.
They thrive in temperatures between 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and can only really survive in zones 10 to 12.
They cannot tolerate temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you live in a place with frosty temperatures, you may need to bring them in from the cold so that they do not die.
Examples of kalanchoes that do well in zone 10 are Kalanchoe panamensis, Lavender Scallops, Flapjacks, Chocolate Soldier and Mother of Thousands.
Conclusion
Beginner gardeners may have a hard time finding the right succulents to plant in their part of the country because the plants that they would like to own are not conducive to that region’s hardiness zone.
Zone 10 hardiness refers to plants that can withstand a minimum temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the plants listed in this article are great choices for both indoor and outdoor plants if you live in a zone 10 region. You can mix and match these plants to your heart’s desire to maximize the attractiveness of your garden.