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Hanging or trailing succulents have always been popular among plant lovers because of their gem-like foliage, foliage arrangement, and their easy maintenance. While trailing succulents are a must-have in gardens, they are also popular and well-loved houseplants.
If you’re looking for the best types of trailing succulents for your garden or your home, this list will provide you with the top choices available for you to choose from. Let’s get started.
What are Trailing Succulents?
Having an idea of what trailing succulents are and how you can care for them will enable you to understand care requirements so that you can choose what is right for you.
Succulents in general are plants with thick leaves, stems, and roots, and are commonly used as decorative plants. While these plants can grow to various heights and lengths, smaller varieties are preferred for their aesthetics and easy maintenance.
Trailing succulents as its name suggests are succulents that trail down as the plant grows – they can be from a hanging pot, container, or directly from the ground. Just like any succulent, trailing succulents are easy to maintain and do not require frequent watering. These varieties of succulents are easy to mass produce and are also quite in demand in the market not only because of their aesthetic but also because of their holistic effects.
Caring for trailing succulents is easy and straightforward. Trailing succulents belong to the same species of cacti that aren’t too demanding of water. Water is stored in their thick foliage, stem, or other parts. Trailing succulents are not overly sensitive to the amount of sunlight they receive. Preferably, however, since these varieties of succulents are much smaller, heat, as well as sunlight, should also be controlled to avoid drying up the plant.
Monkey’s Tail
First on our list of best types of trailing succulents is the Monkey’s tail. If you love furry plants that look like the tail of a cat or monkey, then this succulent is a definitely must-have for you. This Bolivian-native succulent grows multiple stems that are covered with soft, thin, hairy spines.
Although the plant is pretty much covered with spines throughout, the green color of the plant is still visible. This type of succulent can grow to lengths of 2.5 meters and blossoms in winter with bright-red flowers.
Rat Tail Cactus
Another type of succulent that resembles a part of an animal’s body is the Rat tail cactus. It’s much less hairy than the monkey’s tail and it displays more green from its stem rather than the white thorns.
A common distinction of this succulent is its large flowers which come in a range of colors that include bright red, pink, and orange. While the rat tail cactus is an excellent center of attraction in a garden, it also improves aesthetics indoors.
String of Pearls
If you prefer a trailing succulent that has equally spaced foliage, then the String of pearls is a good choice to consider. This type of trailing succulent is much like the Burro’s tail however the foliage has more distance apart.
Also, the foliage has pointed tips and a darker shade of green. The string of pearls also called a “string of beads” is a popular choice for hanging plants because of its smaller size and lighter weight as compared to other trailing succulents.
String of Bananas
If you want more elongated foliage, then you can simply opt for the string of bananas. Just like the string of pearls, this type of trailing succulent has foliage that is more elongated with a dark green lining in its middle.
In the summer season, it blossoms with flowers that range from white to yellow, and even lavender. One thing that sets this trailing succulent from others is its unique hint of cinnamon scent. While it grows pretty fast, it is also quite easy to take care of.
String of Dolphins
It’s possible to have foliage that has the form of a dolphin – with the String of dolphin’s succulent. This type of trailing succulent is one of the many wonders of nature because of its unique dolphin-looking foliage. It has fleshy, pale-green foliage that blossoms with white pom-pom-like flowers. This type of succulent is a hybrid that can grow to lengths of 1 foot long.
String of Nickels
One more option from the string-like succulents is the string of nickels. Unlike the earlier string-like succulents, the foliage of this succulent is rounded, flat, and pale green in color. This succulent resembles the image of a plant that produces coins as its leaves – thus the name.
Although the string of nickels is classified as a succulent, it can be confused for an orchid especially because it is also known as a Button orchid.
Burro’s Tail
Another trailing succulent to add to this list is the Burro’s tail with its hairless body. This type of trailing succulent is a good choice if you don’t hairy succulents. Native to South Mexico, the Burro’s tail can grow to lengths of 4 feet and can blossom bright red or pink flowers in the summer season. Its distinction is its plump and thick foliage around the stems that are like jewels on a stem.
It’s a common favorite from other succulents because it looks much like a bunch of grapes on a stem, and the plant is also quite easy to maintain.
Calico Kitten
The Calico kitten is an excellent type of trailing succulent if you want a range of colors coming from the foliage of your succulent. The foliage has colors ranging from cream, green, and rose pink, and can even have darker shades such as violet, red, and yellow depending on its maintenance and care given.
Although this succulent is a must-have in every garden to improve aesthetics, it’s not advised for beginners. Depending on the variety of Calico kittens, one should consider the appropriate water, sun, and soil to bring out the most beautiful of the plant.
Ruby Necklace
Another type of trailing succulent to consider if you don’t want the traditional green color of foliage is the Ruby necklace. The Ruby necklace, as its name suggests, is a type of succulent that has bright red or violet foliage that resembles a ruby.
It is native to South Africa and has bean-shaped thick foliage with colors that range from red, violet, blue-green, and even bright pink. Its foliage is so attractive it can be mistaken for some fruit.
Peanut Cactus
The Peanut cactus is also a great type of trailing succulent to have if you want small and cute stems that look like peanuts out of your trailing succulent. Most of the stems grow to lengths of 1 foot however they usually grow to lengths of 2 or 3 inches which greatly resembles that of a peanut.
Just like any other cactus, it has thorns around its body that serve as protection against predators. As they mature, they blossom with bright red or orange flowers.
Lantern Flower
Another unique type of trailing succulent is the Lantern flower with its thick and fleshy stems that blossom lantern-like flowers. It has flat and pale green leaves and has more stems on its body than leaves. To care for this succulent, you need to make sure that it stays potted in rich soil with good draining. Also, make sure that it is well watered especially in the heat seasons to avoid drying.
Queen of the Night
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Queen of the Night succulent with its eye-catching flowers and spineless stems. This succulent is unique in how its flowers blossom from its leaves instead of its stems or branches. The flowers only bloom at night. This type of trailing succulent is a must-have for you.
The Wrap-Up
Trailing succulents are pretty much a great option to consider when finding garden or indoor plants that are easy to maintain but still have amazing beauty. While they’re easy to care for, one should bear in mind that each succulent still has its specific sun, light, and moisture requirements.
Make sure that you are equipped with enough knowledge about your succulent before you actually start taking care of it. Being able to read through this list of the best types of trailing succulents will provide you with enough knowledge of which trailing succulents best suits your needs and requirements.
