20 Popular Succulents That Stay Small

Love the look of succulents, but can’t find one that stays small? Thankfully you’re not alone! We’ve gathered a list of 20 well-known succulents that stay small throughout their lifetime. This means you can enjoy those beautiful plantings without worrying about needing to make room for them to grow.

20 Small Succulents suited for the indoors

Here’s a list of twenty popular succulents that won’t take over your house while you step out for a can of milk.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

There’s a good chance you’ve seen a Jade Plant before since they’re so popular. They have an interesting tree-like form with thick, glossy leaves. Its botanical name is Crassula ovata, but it’s also known as the Money Tree or Lucky Plant.

An interesting tidbit about the Jade Plant; it can be grown as a bonsai. What that means is that it grows like a miniature tree, and if pruned correctly, it will last decades while remaining at the same height.

Enthusiasts like to treat these plants as lifelong companions and even gifts to future generations as a legacy to continue. This longevity is what makes the Jade Plant so highly regarded among succulents, ensuring its place among the best of the best.

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

Moonstone Succulent (Pachyphytum oviferum)

The Moonstone Succulent, also known as the Sugar Almond Plant or Pachyphytum oviferum, is a small succulent native to Mexico.

Its called the Moonstone Succulent because of the shape of its leaves. They are oval, fleshy, usually white or pinkish-white, and grow in clusters from a prostrate stem. The leaves have significant heft to them, resembling moonstones or beach pebbles.

These plants are counted among succulents that stay small despite being vigorous growers. The trick is to keep pruning away the excess and replanting or discarding it along the way.

The Moonstone Succulent is not a difficult plant to grow. It tolerates a wide range of conditions and is perfect for beginner succulent growers.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Moderately in fast-draining soil

Gasteria ‘Little Warty’

The Gasteria’ Little Warty’ is a small, slow-growing succulent that is native to South Africa. It gets its common name from the warty bumps that cover its leaves.

This cultivar is actually a cross between Gasteria batesiania and Gasteria cv. Old Man Silver. 

The leaves of this plant are long, thin, and slightly curved. They grow in a rosette pattern and can reach up to 8 inches in length. The leaf surface is covered in small, raised bumps that give it a textured look.

This plant prefers bright conditions but without direct sunlight. Water it often during the growing season but less so during the winter. It’s relatively easy to care for and makes a great addition to any succulent collection.

• Light: Light shade
• Watering: Regularly during the growing season, less during the winter

Echeveria Minima

Echeveria minima is a small succulent that typically grows to about 3 inches tall and 4 inches wide. It is among the smallest Echeveria and has made its way on this list for that very reason.

The leaves are green with red margins along the border and grow in tight rosettes, typical of Echeveria.

This plant is native to Mexico and prefers to grow in bright, indirect light with some occasional direct sunlight mixed in. If you want your leaf tips to turn red, direct sunlight will help the plant get that way. Otherwise, the entire leaf remains green.

Echeveria minima is a relatively slow grower but can eventually produce offsets, or “pups.” These can be removed and replanted to propagate the plant.

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

Crown Of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Crown of Thorns is native to Madagascar and gets its common name from the sharp thorns that cover its stems.

The Crown of Thorns is a slow grower, but it can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in height if left unpruned. However, most growers prefer to keep it much smaller by pruning it regularly. It has a branching habit and forms a dense canopy of foliage.

The blooms emerge throughout the year, but they’re most abundant in spring and summer. And to add further interest, they tend to stay a while after blooming.

This is one plant that’s definitely not for everyone. The sharp thorns can cause serious injury, so it’s not suitable for homes with young children or pets. But if you can give it the care it needs, it’s a beautiful and rewarding plant.

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

Check our guide on how to care for Euphorbia milii

Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum)

The Desert Rose is a beautiful small succulent that’s native to the Arabian Peninsula. It gets its common name from its resemblance to a miniature rose bush. The flowers are usually shades of pink, red, or white and have a delicate, sweet fragrance.

The Adenium Obesum is a slow-growing plant, so don’t expect it to get too big. In fact, most varieties stay quite small, making them perfect for indoor gardens and terrariums. They can reach a height of two feet (60 cm) but are typically much smaller.

The Desert Rose is not frost-tolerant and should be brought indoors or placed in a greenhouse during the winter months. In chilly climates, it’s best to grow this plant in a pot so you can move it indoors when the temperature starts to drop.

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

Tree Of Love (Aichryson Laxum)

The Tree of Love (Aichryson laxum) is a small succulent that’s native to the Canary Islands. Its called the Tree of Love because of its heart-shaped leaves and the fact that it resembles a miniature tree with its woody stems. 

Gardeners need to strike a soft balance between shade and light when growing this plant. Too much shade will result in stunted growth, but too much sun burns the leaves.

The Tree of Love is a slow grower and can take several years to reach its full size. But it’s well worth waiting as this plant is absolutely stunning. The leaves are a beautiful, deep green color with red margins. And the flowers are white with yellow centers and have a delightfully sweet fragrance.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Moderately, during the growing season

Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tigrina)

The Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tigrina) is a small succulent native to South Africa. It gets its common name from the toothed leaves that resemble a tiger’s jaws. The leaves are a soft green with white spots and can grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.

The triangular leaves appear in pairs and resemble a tiger’s jaw. The margins of the leaves have teeth-like protrusions, further lending to the illusion. These teeth aren’t sharp, even though they look that way. Handling without gloves is not an issue.

This plant is low maintenance, requiring little care. It prefers bright, direct sunlight but can tolerate some shade. Water the soil when it is dry to the touch. It’s best to use a well-draining potting mix to avoid root rot.

• Light: Full sun
• Watering: Thoroughly, less during winter

Check out our guide on how to care for Tiger Jaws

Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

The Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is a small succulent native to Madagascar. Its called Panda Plant because of the furry, white leaves that resemble a panda bear.

The leaves are thick, fleshy, and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. They’re arranged in a rosette pattern and have scalloped edges. Red, almost burnt coloration around the tips of the white, fuzzy leaves gives the plant a unique appearance.

The flowers of this plant are small, tubular, and borne on spikes that can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. However, they rarely make an appearance on plants grown in cultivation. These small succulents are mostly grown for their interesting foliage, and the flowers are insignificant even if they do appear.

• Light: Full sun
• Watering: Only when the soil is dry

Lithops

Also known as living stones, these guys are sure to please anyone looking for an interesting plant that doesn’t take up much space.

Lithops are small succulent plants that grow close to the ground. They’re native to southern Africa and get their common name from their resemblance to rocks or stones.

During the fall season, small yellow or white flowers bloom on the plants. After blooming, the flowers will eventually die off, and new leaves will take their place. Flowers emerge from the gap between a pair of leaves.

Lithops are very slow-growing plants. In fact, it can take multiple years for them to reach their mature size. But they’re well worth the wait as they make for a great conversation piece.

• Light: Full sun
• Watering: Moderately, in well-draining soil

Here’s an article on Lithops General Care Tips

October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii)

The October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii) is a small succulent plant that’s native to Japan. It is among the smaller varieties of Stonecrop and doesn’t reach above 12 inches tall, even at its ultimate height. 6-9 inches tall specimens are more common.

It’s called October Daphne because of the pink flowers that bloom on the plant in early fall. These flowers are very delicate and only last for a few weeks before fading away. They appear in clusters and form a decadent display when in full bloom. This Stonecrop is among the most popular precisely because of its gorgeous flowers.

The October Daphne is a slow grower, so don’t expect it to fill out your garden bed overnight. However, it is very easy to care for and will do well in most homes with bright, indirect light.

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

Baby Toes (Fenestraria Rhopalophylla)

Native to Namibia and South Africa, Fenestraria rhopalophylla is a small succulent that’s closely related to Lithops. It’s called Baby Toes because of the shape of its leaves, which resemble tiny baby toes, albeit green ones.

Don’t worry about planting this in a garden bed; the stems don’t really extend far enough to take advantage of the extra space, preferring to stay in their small circle most of the time.

Baby Toes succulent is easy to grow and makes a great addition to any collection. It’s happy in a pot or in the ground, and it can tolerate long periods of drought. Just make sure to give it bright light and well-drained soil.

• Light: Full sun 
• Watering: Sparingly, every few weeks

Conophytum conradii

If you’re looking for succulents that stay small, look no further than Conophytum conradii. Native to South Africa, this plant is one of the more unusual looking members of the genus.

Its fleshy leaves resemble the beaks of birds or an upside-down human tooth. The leaves are light green with red margins and appear in pairs. They grow to about 2 inches (5 cm) long and are quite fragile.

The flowers are small and yellow, appearing in spring and summer. They don’t have any particular smell that I can detect. They’re daisy-like, with many petals that emerge from a center. They’re borne of small stalks that rise from within a pair of leaves.

This is one of the Conophytums that’s easiest to care for. It doesn’t mind being pot-bound and will stay small no matter what you do (or don’t do). Just give it bright light and well-drained soil, and it’ll be happy as a clam.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Moderate, when soil is dry

Haworthia cooperi

Haworthia cooperi is a small succulent that grows in the form of rosettes with thick, fleshy leaves that have white stripes running along with them. It is a native to the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

The leaves become translucent near the top, allowing light to shine through. In its natural habitat, only the tops of the leaves—the transparent bits—are above ground, with the rest of the plant being underground.

The flowers are white or pinkish-white and appear in the spring and summer, but they are not very showy. They appear on tall stalks that emerge from the center of the rosette.

It’s a slow grower that can stay small for many years, making it an ideal plant for indoor gardens and terrariums. If you’re seeking a plant that adds some serious visual interest to your space, look no further than Haworthia cooperi.

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

Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii)

The Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) is a small cactus native to Mexico and the Southern United States. It makes its home in the desert, where it grows in harsh conditions year-round.

This tolerance for less than ideal conditions allows the plant to thrive under neglect when in cultivation. Its extreme tolerance for lack of care is what earned this cactus an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

It’s a slow-growing cactus that can eventually reach heights of up to 8 inches with a 2-3 inch diameter. It rarely gets taller, and even if it does, 12 inches is the absolute limit.

The cactus produces beautiful pink or purple flowers in the summertime (May to June). These flowers bloom from the tips of the stem to form an umbrella that shades the entire plant body.

• Light: Bright, direct light
• Water: Moderate

Blossfeldia Liliputana

This miniature cactus originates from Bolivia and Argentina. It’s the smallest cactus in the world, firmly earning its place among the most desired cacti to have in a home.

The plant only grows to about ½ inch (1.27 cm) in diameter, and its stem rarely gets taller than 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Blossfeldia liliputiana is usually grafted onto other cacti to speed up growth. Even though it is small, to begin with, it takes time for it to get going without help. Individual specimens grown without help from other cacti are rare.

Despite its diminutive size, this cactus packs a serious punch when it comes to flowers. Clusters of white and yellow flowers bloom on the plant throughout the spring and summer months. And each flower can stay open for up to two weeks at a time!

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Deeply but in dry soil (soak and dry)

Pearl Plant (Tulista pumila)

The Pearl Plant (Tulista pumila), also known as the Miniature Aloe, is a small succulent from South Africa. It’s a member of the Crassulaceae family and is related to well-known succulents such as the Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) and Aloe vera. It was previously placed in the Haworthia genus.

Tulista pumila is a compact plant that stays small and rarely grows larger than 12 inches tall. It has thick, fleshy leaves that are dark, dull green with white, raised spots. These spots are dotted on the entirety of the plant and are the reason why this plant is called Pearl Plant and Pearly Dots.

This plant is easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for beginners. It’s also tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade.

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

Aloinopsis luckhoffii

This little gem is a native of South Africa. It’s a member of the Aizoaceae family, which includes well-known succulents like the Mesembryanthemum and the Lithops.

This small succulent forms clumps of small rosettes no more than 2 inches (5 cm) across. It forms a dense mat of these rosettes if allowed to spread.

The leaves show some variety in shape, some growing taller than others. But they remain firmly within the confines of what could be described as a small succulent.

White flowers with a hint of yellow can be seen growing from the center of the rosettes around the wintertime. They’re quite large in comparison to the leaves and easily cover the entire rosette if given a chance. They blossom like a daisy, with many petals and a stamen-filled center.

• Light: Full sun to part shade (shade in the summer, full sun the rest of the year)
• Watering: Regularly

String Of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a succulent that’s native to South Africa. Its called String of Pearls because of the shape of its leaves, which are small and round like pearls.

Keeping this succulent small depends on the conditions of its growth. If you keep this plant in a hanging basket and provide it with regular pruning, it will easily remain small even after years of repotting. Though they usually don’t live that long.

But if you plant this succulent in a garden bed and give it free rein over the resources, it will spread like a mat and act as a delicate groundcover.

The String of Pearls is perfect for hanging baskets or as an addition to a succulent arrangement. It looks great on a windowsill, bookshelf, or any other place where it can spill over the edge.

• Light: Full sun to part shade (six hours of daylight daily)
• Watering: Consistently moist (less so during the winter)

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia fasciata)

The Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata) is a small succulent that originates from South Africa. Its called the Zebra Cactus because of the white stripes on its leaves, which resemble the stripes of a zebra.

The leaves of this Haworthia grow in a tight rosette pattern, almost vertical in alignment. They’re perfect for potted containers as they don’t spill over the edge and don’t take up more space than their pot, making space management easy.

This small succulent is very easy to take care of and makes an excellent choice for beginners. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including low light, high heat, and drought. The only thing it doesn’t like is the cold weather. So if you live in cold climates, it’s best to grow this plant indoors.

The Zebra Cactus is a slow grower, so don’t be alarmed if it doesn’t seem to be getting any bigger. Just enjoy the cute little plant you have and be patient. It will eventually reach its full size of about 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 12 inches (30 cm) wide.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Soak and dry method

20 Popular Succulents That Stay Small (Video)

References

1. “Haworthia pumila” by Geoff J Mckay is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
2. “Echeveria minima from Winterbourne Botanical Gardens” by srboisvert is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
3. “Tiger Jaw in bloom” by Anika Malone is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
4. “Crassula ‘Morgan’s Beauty’” by MeganEHansen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
5. “File: Conophytum conradii – Living pebble, Sorakukka C IMG 3486.JPG” by Annelis is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
6. “File:Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) 3.jpg” by Dave Whitinger is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
7. “Blossfeldia liliputana” by graftedno1 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
8. “Aloinopsis luckhoffii (Aizoacea)” by Dr. Alexey Yakovlev is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.