Collecting succulents has become a very popular hobby over the past few years. This popularity is partly due to the fact that many of these plants are easy and inexpensive to procure.
People also love succulents because they are typically low-maintenance plants that do not need too much attention in order to thrive. Simply give them lots of sunlight and good drainage and they can pretty much take care of themselves.
Many succulents can be quite easy to propagate and are readily available in your local store or nursery, but there are some that are difficult to get hold of, and these types can be very expensive.
In this article, we will list some of the rarest and most expensive succulents in the world. If you want to learn more about these extraordinary succulent species, then keep reading.
16 Most expensive succulents
1. Conophytum subglobosum
This succulent is native to South Africa and is a small, flowering plant that grows in groups. It likes lots of full sunlight and only needs to be watered when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch. Allowing the soil to dry out properly between waterings helps to avoid overwatering the plant and risking root rot.
This plant is drought-tolerant because it can absorb and store water in its body for when water availability becomes scarce.
The price of this succulent depends on the size of the plant. It is moderately expensive, but if you are prepared to grow the plant from seeds, you might be able to save a significant amount of money as the seeds are cheaper.
2. Peyote
The Peyote is a succulent native to Mexico. It has become increasingly rare because it is highly coveted for its hallucinogenic properties. It has been classified as an illegal substance because of this, and the only legal way to consume it is by belonging to the Native American Church.
Peyote is so rare that getting one can cost a person anywhere between 400 and 500 dollars. This high price will most likely keep increasing the more endangered the succulent becomes.
The Peyote loves being in a spot where it can get lots of bright sunlight. These succulents are quite small and produce white and pink flowers if they are kept warm, as these conditions encourage growth.
3. Pachyphytum compactum
This is another succulent that is native to Mexico, as well as to Peru. It is hardy to zones 9 to 11, and is able to grow quite actively even during the winter.
This small cactus species is also called the little jewels succulent and is relatively easy to identify because of its distinct patterns.
Pachyphytum compactum may not be as expensive as some other succulents on this list, but they are still very hard to come by which is why you might have to pay a fair amount for one.
4. Ariocarpus trigonus
This is another succulent native to Mexico, that is hardy to zones 9 to 11.
It is also commonly known as the seven star cactus, and is one of the small cacti that can be found in the Mexican desert.
If you plan on buying this succulent, make sure that you live in a place where it will be able to get lots of sunlight.
This plant is endangered and can run you up anywhere between 50 to 120 dollars, depending on its size.
You can also grow this succulent in a container indoors, because it does fine in room temperature. Only water the plant when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch. In fact, it can survive even if you neglect to water it for up to a year.
5. Tephrocactus articulatus
This succulent, native to Argentina, is a flowering plant that can survive in hardiness zones 8 to 10. It is also known as the paper spine cactus.
This cactus is also quite small, and produces pink, yellow or white flowers. It likes to be exposed to lots of direct sunlight and to be watered only when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch.
This is one of the most expensive succulents, costing up to 645 dollars a plant.
This is most likely because it is close to impossible to come across this succulent in the wild. The paper spine cactus that is the rarest is the black-spined type.
6. Euphorbia obesa
The Euphorbia obesa is also known as the baseball plant. Its aesthetic makes it a great choice for an indoor plant.
It has a small, bulbous stem and produces small flowers when it is well cared-for.
This plant likes to get lots of direct sunlight.
This succulent species is becoming endangered and is very rare to find, even in the wild. One plant can cost up to 50 dollars, which may not seem that expensive, but you will understand when you see how small the plant actually is.
7. Echeveria x imbricata
This succulent is actually a hybrid of Echeveria glauca and Echeveria metallica. It is native to Mexico and is hardy to zones 9 to 12.
This succulent can grow up to eight inches tall and makes a great indoor plant. It grows well in the shade as well as in sunnier areas.
It is lovely to look at because of the rosette formation of its leaves, which gives the plant a lovely symmetrical shape.
One Echeveria x imbricata plant can cost around 60 dollars.
8. Adromischus maculatus
The succulent, also known as calico hearts, is native to South Africa and is hardy to zones 9 to 11.
It is immediately recognizable because of its thick stems, and it likes bright sunlight and warm weather.
This succulent can grow to be over a foot tall and produces white and pink flowers from its branches.
It can be quite a challenge to find one of these plants, so they can cost around 45 dollars a piece.
9. Adromischus cooperi
This plant is also called the plover eggs succulent and it is native to South Africa. It is hardy to zones 9 to 11.
The plover eggs succulent is a slow-growing, diminutive succulent that only ever reaches four inches in height.
It is not the most expensive succulent, but it is so rare that if you do get your hands on one, it will still cost a pretty penny.
10. Adromischus cristatus
This succulent is also known as the crinkle leaf plant and is native to South Africa. It is hardy to zone 9 to 10.
This is another small, low-maintenance plant that grows to about 17 inches high. The crinkle leaf plant needs to get six hours of sunlight a day and might need to be watered more often than most succulents. You can propagate this succulent using its leaves.
One crinkle leaf plant can cost around 30 dollars, but the price depends on the size of the plant when you buy it.
There are fewer and fewer crinkle leaf plants available on the market, which is why you might find them a bit expensive.
11. Faucaria tuberculosa
This succulent is also called the pebbled tiger jaws succulent. It is native to South Africa and is hardy to zones 9 to 11.
It has little bumps on its leaves that make them look like animal jaws with teeth, especially when looking at the plant from above.
This succulent may like to be watered more often than the typical succulent, but it is also able to tolerate higher temperatures. It grows actively during the spring and fall seasons.
The pebbled tiger jaws can run you up around 60 dollars a piece, because of how rare it has become in recent years.
12. Graptoveria
The Graptoveria forma cristata, also known as the Fred Ives succulent, is a hybrid between Echeveria gibbiflora and Graptopetalum paraguayense.
This succulent is native to Mexico and is hardy to zones 9 to 11. It can grow up to 24 inches in height and does not need to be watered until its soil has dried out completely between waterings.
It can grow well in both partial and full sunlight which is why it can make a great indoor plant as well.
This is a rare hybrid species of succulent, which is why it may be quite expensive.
13. Aloe haworthioides
This succulent is also known as the haworthia-leaved Aloe and is native to the island of Madagascar.
It is another small variety of succulent and is hardy to zone 9.
You can leave this plant under the sun for extended periods of time, but it can also be kept indoors since it is able to adapt to different lighting conditions.
This is a very exotic and rare succulent, which is why it can cost you around 1,200 dollars for one plant.
14. Haworthia cuspidata variegata
This succulent is native to South Africa and is hardy to zones 10 and 11. Also known as the star window plant, it has thick, fleshy leaves that grow in a rosette formation.
This succulent can also be kept indoors as it prefers only partial exposure to the sun.
It also does quite well when only provided with artificial light, so it will do just fine indoors under a grow light during the winter.
One star window plant can cost around 92 dollars because they are rare and hard to find.
15. Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
This low-maintenance succulent, native to South America, is also known as the moon cactus.
It is hardy to zones 11 and 12 and likes being under bright sunlight, but it will also do just fine in partial shade.
The moon cactus does not need a warm climate to thrive; it will continue to grow in moderate temperatures.
This succulent can cost around 995 dollars per plant because of its rarity.
16. Astrophytum asterias
This succulent is also known as the sand dollar cactus, because its shape is similar to that of a sand dollar. It is native to Texas and Mexico and is hardy to zones 8 and 9.
This is a slow-growing succulent that will grow best under the care of a patient owner. It likes lots of sunlight and can grow up to two inches high. It produces yellow flowers that grow from its thick stem in the spring.
A sand dollar cactus costs around 60 dollars because it is rare even in its native regions.
Conclusion
Succulent collecting is a wonderful hobby that anyone can pursue, because there are thousands of different plants to choose from. Finding rare ones, however, can be especially fulfilling. If you have amassed a large succulent collection and wish to add some rarer varieties, you can choose from the ones listed above, which are some of the rarest and most expensive succulents in the world.
Succulents are not only unique and beautiful; they can also be a source of pride and joy for you, your family and your friends to admire.