30 Mini Succulents to Spruce Up Your Space (With Pictures)

If you love succulents and want to add some life to your space but don’t have a lot of room to do it, this collection of mini succulents will do the trick. These bite-sized beauties are perfect for a nook that needs filling up with something green. They stay tiny and take up little room in your home or office.

Each one of these little ones is unique, so you can find one that fits with whichever color scheme you’re going for. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at a mini succulent wall!

Common Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

The Common Houseleek, Sempervivum tectorum, is a tiny succulent that’s native to Europe. It’s one of the most common houseplants in the world and has been cultivated for centuries. Its easy care and durability make it a great choice for first-time succulent growers.

It was often planted near homes as a way to help protect the building from lightning strikes (an old wives’ tale). Although the superstition surrounding this phenomenon has died out, the popularity of this gorgeous species hasn’t.

These days, it’s more likely to be found in a pot than on a rooftop. But it’s just as easy to care for as it was centuries ago. It’s a great plant for beginners and those with busy schedules. It can tolerate neglect and still look amazing.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)

The Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata) is a tiny succulent native to South Africa. It gets its name from the white stripes on its leaves, which resemble the stripes of a zebra. It is a small succulent that’s perfect for windowsills, desks, and other small spaces.

This plant is slow-growing and only reaches about 6 inches (15 cm) in height. Its leaves are fleshy and dark green, so you can often see the water storage inside them. They form tight rosettes shooting straight up from the base.

The leaves are clumped up close together and remain upright even at their ultimate height. This prevents the plant from spilling over the edges of the pot, which is ideal for potted containers. The flowers are small and white or pink, blooming in the fall. They rarely flower indoors.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Infrequently, when the soil is dry

Living Stone Plant (Lithops)

The Living Stone Plant (Lithops) is a slow-growing mini succulent that originates from Southern Africa. As the name suggests, its appearance is very similar to that of a stone or pebble. In fact, when they’re not in bloom, it can be difficult to tell them apart from rocks.

They have a natural camouflage that allows them to blend in with their surroundings and avoid becoming prey. This also makes them excellent houseplants as they require very little maintenance.

Caring for a stone is harder than it looks! Check our guide on how to care for Lithops.

When Lithops are in bloom, they produce small, daisy-like flowers that come in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, pink, and red.

The flowers only last for a few days before they wilt and die. But the plant will produce new flowers throughout the season, so there’s always something to look at.

• Light: Full sun
• Watering: Sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry

Echeveria Minima

Echeveria Minima is a tiny succulent that only grows to be about 3 inches tall and 4 inches wide. It’s one of the smallest varieties of Echeveria, which is a large genus of succulents that includes more than 150 species.

These mini succulents have all the features that make Echeveria so popular: rosettes of fleshy leaves, pretty flowers, and a wide range of colors and shapes. The leaves are grey-green with red tips, and they form in a rosette shape. The contrast of the red tips to the green leaves is particularly stark and eye-catching.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Sedum ‘Little Missy’ (Stonecrop)

This low-growing tiny succulent is perfect for small spaces and container gardens. It only gets to be about 4 inches (10 cm) tall, but it can spread up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide.

The leaves are a beautiful blue-green color, and they’re bordered by a thick margin of red that really accentuates the leaves. It’s like each individual leaf comes with a highlighter so that anybody observing doesn’t overlook it.

The flowers of these mini succulents are pinkish-white, and they appear from the summer to fall. Depending on the region, you might find that when most other plants have begun their dormancy period, ‘Little Missy’ begins to put out bursts of color in the garden in the form of new flowers.

• Light: Light shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Flower Dust Plant (Kalanchoe Pumila)

The Kalanchoe pumila, also known as the Flower Dust Plant, is a tiny succulent native to Madagascar. It grows as a subshrub, reaching about 12 inches tall. In pots, it restrains itself to the size of the pot, but the occasional pruning wouldn’t go amiss either.

This succulent is easily recognizable by its small, round leaves that are covered in soft, white fuzz that makes the plant look like it’s permanently covered in a thick coat of dust or frost, hence the name. The leaves are toothed around the edges, making this particular variety instantly recognizable by their leaves alone.

In addition to the coating on its leaves, the Flower Dust Plant gets its name from the flowers that bloom on the tips of its stems. These pale pink to violet flowers are a treat to the eyes. Luckily, these mini succulents bloom readily.

• Light: Light shade
• Water: Moderate, soak and dry method

Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

The Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) is a succulent that’s native to Mexico and Central America. It’s called Ghost Plant because of the pale color of its leaves. They often have a pink or purple hue, which makes them even more eye-catching.

The flowers of these mini succulents are small and nondescript, so they’re not the primary reason to grow this plant. However, they can bloom intermittently throughout the year, adding a pop of color to an otherwise muted palette. The real draw of this plant is its beautiful foliage. They range in color from pale green to pale white.

A basic guide on the Ghost Plant. Tips and tricks included!

The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, similar to those of Echeveria. However, unlike Echeveria, these rosettes are formed on thick stems rather than close to the ground. Mini-flower-like structures of leaves dot the stems making for an incredible display.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Mexican Firecracker (Echeveria setosa)

The Mexican Firecracker (Echeveria setosa) is a tiny succulent that’s native to Mexico. It’s called the Mexican Firecracker because of the fact that it blooms vibrant red and yellow flowers that look like firecrackers. These flowers are red at the bottom and yellow near the top; it looks just like an open flame, ready to burst at a moment’s notice. The leaves are covered in a dense white fuzz.

The plant itself—a single rosette—is quite small, only growing to be about 6 inches tall. This makes it ideal as a houseplant.

Check out our guide on how to grow Mexican Firecracker indoors.

However, do note that this plant likes to give off offsets quite frequently. New rosettes of hairy leaves will begin to form around the parent rosette, seemingly out of the blue. Prune away any excess and keep the plant in a small pot so that it remains small.

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Water: Moderate, don’t let water gather in the rosette

Echeveria ‘Black Prince’

Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ is a stunning and tiny succulent that gets its name from the deep, rich color of its leaves. The leaves are almost black, but they have a purple or reddish tint to them in certain lighting conditions.

Young plants start out with green leaves that darken as they mature. By the end, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous dark purple rosette of leaves and some flowers, too, if you’re lucky.

The black color of the leaves usually separates this plant completely from the rest in any given garden setting. Black leaves are just that rare. Place the pot carefully in your home, taking into account the aesthetic of the space beforehand.

The Black Prince is a slow-growing succulent that can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 8 inches (21 cm) wide. When it blooms, it produces small, red flowers in the fall and winter.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Deeply, when the soil is dry

Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens)

The Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens) is a tiny succulent that originates from South Africa. It’s called Blue Chalksticks because of the blue-gray color of its leaves and their shape that’s reminiscent of blackboard chalk sticks.

It’s a fast-growing plant that likes to spread like a groundcover. The stems end up falling under their own weight and form a dense network on the ground.

Each individual node sends down new roots, and new finger-like cylindrical leaves emerge from each node. If given a chance to spread, you’ll end up with a gorgeous blue-green groundcover that takes up your entire garden bed.

But that doesn’t mean it’s unsuited to containers. In a pot, these same stems don’t find any purchase and remain small and manageable.

Because of its small size, it’s perfect for placement on a windowsill or desk. And it looks especially good when paired with other mini succulents in a dish garden.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Moderate, when dry

Red Pagoda (Crassula capitella)

This plant is called Red Pagoda, or Crassula capitella, and it’s a succulent that’s native to South Africa. As the name suggests, it has a pagoda-like shape when its leaves are all stacked on top of each other.

The leaves are a deep red and green color, which makes for a stunning contrast against the green leaves of other plants.

It can grow up to 6 inches tall, but it usually stays much shorter than that. When it blooms, it produces small, insignificant flowers. The blooming period is typically from spring to summer.

The plant forms colonies if given a chance. But if placed in a small enough container, it will form a single, upright column.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe Juvenna)

Tiger Tooth Aloe (Aloe Juvenna) is a tiny succulent that grows in stacking rosettes. The leaves are green with white spots and teeth along the margins. Flowers bloom in winter as the plant is summer dormant.

This plant is native to East Africa, specifically Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. It’s a popular houseplant because it’s very easy to care for and will thrive in just about any type of light.

The rosettes pile on top of each other to form short columns. Multiple columns can exist in the same pot without issue as the plant forms colonies naturally. But if given a small pot, it will stay small and not spill over.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Watering: Typical succulent needs

Conophytum Bilobum (Living Pebble)

The Conophytum bilobum, also known as the Living Pebble, is a tiny succulent with an interesting shape. It’s native to South Africa and Namibia, and it’s one of the most popular succulents out there.

It has a very particular shape that makes it look like two peas in a pod. A pair of leaves grow together from a shared base and fork away to form an upside-down tooth-like structure. The leaves are green and only come in pairs.

Managing the plant’s size is easy. These tiny succulents remain small even if given ample space. Yellow, daisy-like flowers make frequent appearances from within the gap of the fork. They’re a common sight in the autumn, less so in summer.

• Light: bright shade
• Watering: Sparingly, about once a week

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a succulent that’s native to South Africa. It gets its name from the round, green “beads” that make up its stems. These “pearls” are actually leaves, and they store water for the plant.

This plant is a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor gardens. It’s easy to care for and can tolerate neglect better than most other plants. It grows quickly and can reach up to 3 feet in length.

Plan to take a chance on a String of Pearls Plant? Here’s a guide on how to get started!

It’s usually placed in hanging baskets to take advantage of its trailing nature. To keep this succulent tiny, simply prune away the hanging stems to the desired length. These cuttings can be directly planted for propagation.

• Light: Dappled sunlight
• Water: Infrequently

Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)

The Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) is a succulent native to Mexico. It gets its name from the way its leaves grow in long, cascading tails, similar to those of a donkey or burro.

It’s a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 4 feet in length, although most plants only grow to about 1 foot. The leaves are thick and fleshy, blue-green in color. They’re arranged in a closely-knit pattern of concurrent whorls that cover up the entirety of the stem.

Take a look at our Burro’s Tail Care guide.

Although not considered a true ‘tiny succulent,’ Burro’s Tail is nonetheless added to the less due to the sheer ease with which it can be kept small.

In any given pot, the branches like to trail over the sides and spill over. Take a sharp pair of shears and cut them off to keep the succulent small.

• Light: Bright light to full sun
• Water: Typical succulent watering needs

Dwarf Jade Plant (Portulacaria afra)

Also known as the Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra is a succulent that’s native to South Africa. It’s not related to the jade plant (Crassula ovata) despite its name. It does have physical similarities to the Jade Plant, but the two species aren’t related beyond being succulents.

The reason we’ve included Portulacaria afra on this list is because of its potential as a bonsai. These are tiny, miniature tree-like woody succulents that can be pruned with extreme care to resemble fully grown trees.

If you fancy yourself a bonsai, Portulacaria afra is a great place to start. Not only is it quite fast-growing, but it’s also easier to prune and manage. Unlike a traditional bonsai, the results of your experiments will show themselves in a matter of years rather than decades.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Moderately, when soil is dry

Chinese Stonecrop (Sedum tetractinum ‘Coral Reef’)

The Sedum tetractinum ‘Coral Reef’ is an evergreen succulent with a mat-forming growth habit. This plant is usually grown as a groundcover, but it can easily be grown in pots as well.

It has thick, fleshy leaves that are arranged in a rosette formation. The leaves are green with red margins and tips. They’re usually quite glossy, so they shine whenever watered. White or pink flowers appear in summer, from July to August.

As a houseplant, its growth is determined by the size of its pot. Although it likes to spread, it only does so if given space and freedom. This plant is perfect for rock gardens, succulent gardens, or as an accent in a regular garden.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)

The Baby Toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) is a tiny succulent plant native to the deserts of Namibia and South Africa, where it has to regularly survive harsh conditions. This tolerance to extremes makes this plant incredibly hardy in cultivation; just be careful not to water too much.

It grows like a clump of cylindrical leaves emerging from the ground, straight up. These pillar-like leaves are quite short and stubby, hence their inclusion in this list and its common name.

Height-wise, the plant only reaches about 3 inches tall. It likes to spread, but only in small clumps.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Infrequently

Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tigrina)

Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tigrina) is a small succulent that originates from the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which resemble a tiger’s mouth. The plant is very slow-growing, only reaching about 6 inches (15 cm) in height.

The fleshy, dark green leaves have white spots and grow in ground-hugging rosettes. They’re covered in tiny teeth that give the plant a ferocious look. It’s easy to see where the plant earned its name. Note that these teeth aren’t sharp, unlike what their appearance would suggest.

Learn how to care for a Tiger Jaws Plant Today!

In the fall, Tiger Jaws produces small yellow flowers that bloom in clusters. These daisy-like flowers add a splash of color to the plant and attract bees and other pollinators.

• Light: Full sun 
• Watering: Typical succulent needs

Moonstone Plant (Pachyphytum oviferum)

The Moonstone Plant (Pachyphytum oviferum) is a true workhorse of the succulent world. It’s one of those plants that look good in any setting, be it a windowsill, office desk, or even a wedding bouquet.

This slow-growing succulent has chubby leaves that are blue-green in color and dotted with white spots. When happy, the plant produces small yellow flowers.

Interested in the Moonstone Succulent? Here’s an in-depth Moonstone plant guide!

Be prepared to be patient if you’re starting from scratch. Moonstones typically take five or so years to reach their ultimate height (10 cm). Care is easy; toss in a couple of repotting sessions here and there, and you’re golden.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Sparingly

Calico Kitten Succulent (Crassula Pellucida Variegata)

This is one of the most delicate-looking succulents out there. It’s called Calico Kitten Succulent because of the way its leaves look.

If dry, the succulent tends to make some of its leave turn pinkish purple from their original fresh green. The key point here is that some of its leaves behave this way, and the rest don’t.

The result is a cascade of starkly contrasting leaves, some green, some rosy pink, and some in-between. If pruned correctly, it’s a sight to behold. Getting the contrast just right is a fun little misadventure for the intrepid gardener.

The plant grows by extending its trailing stems that bear rosettes of leaves. Its small size can be maintained by pairing it with a small container, a place where its leaves can spill out and be on display.

• Light: Dappled or filtered
• Water: Sparingly

Crinkle Leaf Plant (Adromischus cristatus)

The Crinkle Leaf Plant (Adromischus cristatus) is a tiny succulent plant that’s native to South Africa. It gets its common name from the way its leaves look – they’re deeply crinkled and ruffled. The margins are also scalloped, which adds to the charm of this plant.

Red-white flowers make an appearance from the center of the rosette when it comes to the flowering season. Wait for the spring to experience them in full.

This is a slow-growing succulent, so don’t expect it to fill up a pot quickly. But it can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall if left unchecked.

If the pot is small, the plant will remain small. This makes it ideal for windowsill and desktops. It can add a touch of green to your space if given a chance.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Sparingly

Haworthiopsis Viscosa

Haworthiopsis viscosa is a column-forming succulent that grows in the form of clusters. The triangular leaves are dark green that is arranged in a stacking pattern. One on top of the next. This behavior forms what are essentially columns of leaves emerging from the ground up.

To start off, the plant only starts with one column of these types of leaves. However, if given the space, new columns sprout up from near the main plant. These are offsets that emerge from the main plant.

To keep the plant small, don’t give it any more space than necessary. As a result, the offsets won’t find purchase, and the main column will remain solitary.

Flowers appear in the winter, but they’re of little interest.

• Light: Semi-shade
• Watering: Deeply, with good drainage

Calico Hearts (Adromischus Maculatus)

Adromischus maculatus, commonly known as Calico Hearts, is a small succulent native to South Africa. It gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which are heart-shaped and have calico-like patterns. Green-grey leaves are dotted with maroon red or purple patterns.

These leaves are fleshy and oval, sprouting from woody stems that are quite thick. In fact, the word “adrosmischos” means ‘thick stems’ in Latin. 

If allowed to grow free-form, these succulents reach about 14 inches in height. But with regular pruning and an appropriately sized pot, this number can be kept way down.

The Calico Hearts are one of the most popular succulents due to their low maintenance and unique appearance. They can be propagated easily from offsets or leaf cuttings, so they’re perfect for beginners.

• Light: Full sun 
• Water: Infrequent

Sempervivum ‘Little Bobo’

The Sempervivum ‘Little Bobo’ is a type of hen and chicks plant that’s easy to grow both indoors and outdoors. It gets its common name from the fact that it forms tight rosettes of leaves that resemble little green balls.

These plants like to form a bed of little green rosettes. The main rosette gives off many, many offsets that grow to become their own plants, and they continue the cycle.

If you’re planning on keeping these succulents tiny, a small pot is all you need. If the offset isn’t given space, they won’t grow. And since an individual rosette is barely 2 inches tall, if that, they’re perfect as potted houseplants.

Do note that these plants are monocarpic. Each rosette will only bloom once and then die. If you’re planning on keeping these plants thriving long-term, allow at least one offset to proliferate to keep the plant going when the original rosette flowers and dies out.

• Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Water: Sparingly

Blossfeldia Liliputana

Blossfeldia liliputana, or Blossfeldia liliputiana is the smallest cactus in the world. If you’re willing to go the cactus route in your search for mini succulents, it doesn’t get any smaller than this. These little green balls are one of nature’s wonders.

They are extremely slow growers, so most specimens are grafted onto other cacti to speed up the process. Solitary specimens are rare, but they do exist. These are sought after by enthusiasts quite… well, enthusiastically, so they’re hard to find. But if you do manage to land one, grow it like you would any other cactus.

This cactus offsets. It produces more green balls, dotted with white, that surround the parent ball in a clump. This is one of the few plants that you want to encourage offsets in, as even with them, the size remains tiny. White and yellow flowers may appear if you’re lucky.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Bishop’s Cap Cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma)

The Bishop’s Cap Cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma) is a small, spherical cactus native to Mexico. It gets its name from the shape of its body, which resembles a Bishop’s hat.

It has five distinct ribs that each curve in a very specific way (Note the picture). The result is a stark resemblance to a Bishop’s miter or hat that catholic bishops usually wear in ceremonies.

Check out in-depth Bishop’s Cap Care Guide

The plant itself is mostly dark green, but it can have white dots all over its body in certain varieties. The flowers appear at the top of the plant and are yellow and white, almost daisy-like.

This cactus is relatively slow-growing and can take several years to reach maturity. Once it blooms, it will produce offsets (or “pups”) that can be propagated to create new plants.

• Light: Light shade
• Water: Low

Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus)

The Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus) is a small cactus that looks like… well, a peanut. It’s a native of Bolivia and Argentina, but it can be found in other parts of the world as well. These cacti tend to grow in finger-like stems that like to cluster and trail at the same time.

For best results, these cacti are grown in small pots with fast-draining soil. They will offset eventually and begin to trail down the sides of the pot. If this happens, simply prune away the excess offsets, and you’ll keep your pot looking simple and clean.

Take a glance at how to care for a Peanut Cactus

This is one of the most popular cacti among collectors and beginners alike. They’re extremely easy to grow and make great houseplants. The only thing to watch out for is overwatering, as they are susceptible to rot.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Typical succulent needs

Rose Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria zeilmanniana)

Mammillaria zeilmanniana, or Rose Pincushion Cactus, is a small cactus native to Mexico. It gets its common name because of the frequency with which its flowers bloom. They’re present on its spherical body practically year-round. They are pink or red and quite beautiful.

These mini succulents are small, only growing to about 4 inches (10 cm) tall. Its body is covered in short spines that are mildly irritating if you brush up against them. The spines give the plant a fuzzy appearance and make it quite cute.

Rose Pincushion Cacti are slow growers and can live for many years with minimal care. They’re easy to propagate from offsets, which they produce frequently.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

How to care for a Rose Pincushion Cactus

Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

The Moon Cactus is a grafted plant, which means that the top part (the bright-colored portion) is grafted onto the rootstock of another cactus. In this case, the rootstock is usually a Hylocereus, a type of night-blooming cactus. This makes the Moon Cactus very easy to manage once established.

Why? Because, unlike other plants on this list, the height of this cactus is up to you. This cactus is only as tall as its rootstock: a rootstock you can pick and choose.

Interested in growing Moon Cactus? Check out this guide!

A moon cactus is meant to draw the eye. The scion is usually an eye-scorching yellow or red. And the rootstock serves to prop up its gorgeous coloration and put it on full display. It has typical cactus needs, despite its uniqueness.

• Light: Partial shade
• Water: Moderate, in fast-draining soil

References

• “Echeveria minima from Winterbourne Botanical Gardens” by srboisvert is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
• “Crassula pellucida marginalis Variegata” by srboisvert is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
• File:Crassula capitella 2 edit3.jpg” by Eric Hunt (Photograph edited by Waugsberg: rotation, crop, background copied in tiny parts of the bottom corners) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5.
• “Blossfeldia liliputana” by graftedno1 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
• “Tiger Jaw in bloom” by Anika Malone is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
• “File: Conophytum conradii – Living pebble, Sorakukka C IMG 3486.JPG” by Annelis is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
• “Echeveria’ Black Prince’ エケベリア・古紫” by salchuiwt is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Beautiful Mini Succulent Collection (Video)