Cold Hardy Succulents

As winter is approaching and the temperatures in my state drop to zero I was wondering if there is such a thing as cold tolerant succulents that can survive outside during the winter. Being completely new to the world of succulent gardening, I uncovered a vast amount of plants that do work in cold, frigid temperatures. The most well known ones being sempervivum (hens & chicks), and sedum (stonecrop). Both can grow as low as USDA zone 3 (-30°F), however, some prefer to cover these plants with plastic during the winter to stop them from getting wet and cold which is usually the reason for plant struggle. Piled up snow can also help as an insulator.

Another family of succulents that do well in colder climates is Jovibarba. Some identify Jovibarba in the same genus as sempervivum, but it North America they’re separate. There’s 3 different species according to Flora Europaea. Most nurseries will sell Jovibarba heuffelii which is cold hardy in USDA zone 4 and up.

Ice plants (Delosperma) are a perennial succulent that can grow in USDA zones 5-9. Ice plants bloom colorful purple, pink, yellow, and white flowers. The flower sparkles and glistens in sunlight giving off the appearance of ice crystals. They prefer dry soil and work as a ground cover.

Orostachys is another type of succulent that is rarer and a cousin of sempervivum. They work in USDA zones 5-10, although other sources go as low as zone 2 for certain varieties. It’s native mostly to China and surrounding regions. There are 14 different species to choose from, Orostachys Spinosa being my favorite.

Rosularia are a great addition for gardens in colder climates. Most Rosularia I found online grow in USDA zones 5-10, however, there’s 35 different species so cold hardiness could vary for some. Rosularia platyphylla is a popular variety that grows in clusters and eventually mounds into a mat. Great for rock gardens.

It turns out there is quite a list of cold hardy succulents to choose from, which is a great thing for us in the north. I’m excited to shop next summer and build a garden with succulents that’ll last year round. Happy planting!