Types of Succulents: From Echeveria to Lithops (Living Stones)
Succulents are a huge and varied group of plants that store water in fleshy leaves or stems to survive long dry spells. At first glance they can look alike, but different genera vary a lot in shape, colour and care needs. Let’s look at the ones we sell most often at KvětinyExpres.cz.
A Tip from Florist Míša:
“Clients often ask me which type to buy, and I always ask first where they’ll put it. For a kitchen windowsill or a bright office I recommend Aloe or Aeonium – they need a lot of sun. For a darker hallway or a desk without a window, go for Echeveria or Crassula instead, they cope with less light. And keep Lithops somewhere you’ll actually look at every day – it’s the most fascinating plant in the whole range, but easy to forget because it’s so small and quiet.”
Choose the Succulent That Will Make You Happy
All the varieties in this article are in stock in our Succulents category. For a complete care guide, see our separate article How to Care for Succulents.
1. Echeveria – The Most Popular Rosette Shape
Echeveria is probably the first succulent that comes to mind for most people. It comes from Mexico and Central America and forms a perfectly symmetrical rosette of fleshy leaves. We stock five varieties, from the softly pink Derenbergii to the more angular Agavoides, whose leaf shape resembles a small agave.
✦ Why choose it: The easiest succulent for beginners, and it copes with a slightly shadier spot indoors. ✦ Care: Water only once the substrate is completely dry, and always empty any excess water from the saucer. ✦ Our tip: If you like soft pastel shades, try the Ramillete variety.
2. Aeonium – The Succulent That Grows Like a Little Shrub
Unlike the ground-hugging Echeveria, Aeonium grows a thin woody stem topped with a rosette of leaves – it ends up looking more like a miniature tree than a typical succulent. The Tricolor variety also has leaves edged in creamy pink.
✦ Why choose it: Its unusual, sculptural shape livens up even a plain modern interior. ✦ Care: The more sun it gets, the richer its colours – in shade it turns plain green and the edge fades. ✦ Our tip: Give it the brightest spot in your home, ideally a south-facing window.
3. Aloe – Known from Skincare, but Also a Striking Houseplant
The Aloe genus is best known thanks to Aloe vera, familiar from skincare products. We sell Aloe Arborescens (“tree aloe”) – a sturdier relative with long, spiky leaves that gradually grows into a small shrub.
✦ Why choose it: The lowest-maintenance and most “architectural” plant in the whole range. ✦ Care: Needs plenty of light and almost no watering in winter. ✦ Note: Like other Aloe varieties it can be mildly irritating to pets, so keep it out of their reach.
4. Crassula – Jade Plants with Original Leaf Shapes
Crassula is a wide genus that also includes the popular “money plant”. Our Crassula Hobbit variety has unmistakable curled, tubular leaves that give it a charmingly untidy look.
✦ Why choose it: An eye-catching, playful shape that stands out at first glance. ✦ Care: Just as low-maintenance as Echeveria, water only sparingly. ✦ Our tip: Looks great grouped together with Echeverias in a single dish.
5. Lithops – Living Stones from the South African Desert
Lithops may be the most unusual succulent you can keep at home. In the wild they camouflage themselves as pebbles so grazing animals leave them alone – each plant is just two fused, swollen leaves, between which a tiny flower blooms once a year.
✦ Why choose it: A great gift or conversation piece – everyone mistakes it for a pebble at first. ✦ Care: Water extremely sparingly, really only in spring and autumn, or it will rot. ✦ Our tip: Once a year, usually in autumn, the old pair of leaves splits open and a new one grows from inside – don’t worry, that’s completely normal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Succulents
Which succulent is easiest for beginners?
✅Echeveria and Crassula. They cope with a slightly shadier spot and forgive an
occasional missed watering.
✅How often should I water succulents?
Only once the substrate is completely dry, and just once a month in winter.
See the full guide in our article How to Care for Succulents.
✅Why do Lithops look like pebbles?
That’s how they camouflage themselves against animals in the wild. It’s a
natural defence, not a sign the plant is unwell.
✅Can succulents take direct sun on a windowsill?
Most can, and Aloe and Aeonium actually need it for their colours to stay
vivid. The exception is a freshly bought plant, which should be
acclimatised gradually.
✅Are succulents safe for pets?
Most are, but be more careful with Aloe – it can be mildly irritating to
cats and dogs.
✅Is a cactus a succulent too?
Yes, every cactus is a succulent, but not every succulent is a cactus. We
explain the difference in detail in the article Cacti and Succulents: What’s the Difference.
Discover our full range of succulents and pick the one that’s right for you.
The KvětinyExpres.cz Team
