How many fleshy leaf plants are there in the world? The short answer is: so many, so many that it would be difficult to give an exact number. And it is that in this group are all those succulents that are usually sold in nurseries, but also others that are not so well known.
Thus, I am going to tell you here the name of ten of these plants so you can choose which one to put in your garden or on your patio.
Aloe vera
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
El Aloe vera It is a crass that grows forming rosettes of leaves about 40 centimeters long, and green in color. The flowers sprout from a flowering stalk in spring, and are yellow. It is widely cultivated in a pot as well as in the garden, since it does not take up much space and is not difficult to maintain.
It needs a protected exposure from direct sun, but it is important that it is in an area where there is a lot of light. You don't have to water it a lot, because It resists drought, and also mild frosts.
Dudleya brittonii
Image - Wikimedia / YPLeroux
La Dudleya brittonii it is a succulent that grows forming a rosette of green leaves covered by a kind of white powder. It grows to a height of about 15 centimeters and a diameter of 25cm.. And the flowers are star-shaped, and arise from a stem up to 1 meter high.
It is a species that is not seen much for sale, but it is as easy to care for as any other succulent. It needs direct sun and little water. Besides, supports up to -7ºC.
echeveria lilac
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La echeveria lilac It is a non-cactaceous succulent or succulent plant that grows forming rosettes of fleshy, glaucous leaves. These rosettes measure about 20 centimeters in diameter by about 15 centimeters high.. Its flowers sprout from a stem which emerges from the center of the plant in spring.
It grows slowly but withstands drought and high temperatures well (35ºC or something more), as well as cool (up to -2ºC). So it is an ideal plant to give to those who do not have much time or experience caring for succulent plants.
Euphorbia umbellata
Image - Wikimedia / Vengolis
La Euphorbia umbellata It is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaches 10 meters in height. The trunk is thin and branches a short distance from the ground. Also, you have to know that it has a grayish bark and a smooth texture. The branches are cylindrical and glabrous and somewhat fleshy leaves sprout from them. Its flowers are small and pink, and arise from the top of some branches.
It is a plant that can be kept outside throughout the year, but only if the winters are mild or warm. It does not support strong frosts, only up to -3ºC if they are short-lived.
Disticha gasteria
Image - Wikimedia / Zapyon
La Disticha gasteria it is a small succulent, having fleshy, lance-shaped leaves that are dark green in color with many small green spots. It reaches about 20 centimeters wide, and approximately 10 centimeters high.. The flower is similar to those of aloes, since they also sprout from a tall stem, are bell-shaped and red in color.
Of course, this plant grows in shade, or failing that in semi-shade. If it is put in direct sunlight, it burns. Otherwise, resists drought, and even mild frost.
Hoya carnosa
La Hoya carnosa It is a climbing plant that we know by the name of wax flower. It reaches 6 meters in length, and develops succulent, elliptical leaves, up to 13 centimeters long.. Its flowers are star-shaped, and are white or pink; Also, they smell great.
But yes, it is normally grown indoors for a very simple reason: can't stand the cold. So if the temperature drops below 0 degrees in your area, keep it at home so it doesn't suffer.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
Image - Wikimedia / Forest and Kim Starr
El Kalanchoe thyrsiflora It is a succulent that has fleshy, rounded leaves. It reaches about 40 centimeters in height. When it flowers, something it only does once in its life and then dies, it produces a flowering stem up to 1 meter tall with numerous flowers at the top.
A curiosity about this plant is that the more exposed to direct sunlight it is, the redder it will become. For this reason, I recommend putting it in a sunny place so that it acquires that reddish color, because it is beautiful. Resists up to -3ºC.
Pachyphytum oviferum
Image - Wikimedia / Peter A. Mansfeld
El Pachyphytum oviferum It is a small succulent that reaches 20 centimeters in height.. It has fleshy leaves, about 5 centimeters long by 3 centimeters wide, and they are glaucous green, as well as fleshy. The flowers sprout from a long stem up to 10 centimeters high, and scarlet in color.
It is not a succulent that needs to be watered a lot; in fact, as it resists drought very well, the worst thing we could do would be to keep the soil always wet. Resists up to -3ºC, maybe up to -5ºC if it is very protected.
peperomia graveolens
Image - Wikimedia / Raimond Spekking
La peperomia graveolens It is a plant with fleshy leaves which are also lanceolate. They have a bright green upper surface and a reddish underside. The total height is about 30 centimeters, so it can be kept in a pot for life without difficulty.
It should be placed in a sunny place, and it should also be watered little, only when the soil is completely dry. Also, it is important to know that can't stand the cold.
Sedum pachyphyllum
Image - Wikimedia / Illustratedjc
El Sedum pachyphyllum it is a succulent whose leaves look like fingers. These are fleshy, green with a reddish tip. The height of the plant is about 30 centimeters maximum, so it is a very small shrub, perfect for pots and compositions.
Tolerates heat and cool, but If the temperature in your area drops below -3ºC at any time, it is best to protect it.
What do you think of these fleshy leaf plants?