Best indoor succulents: 11 varieties to grow in your home

Indoor succulents have become the stars of social media and a must-have accessory for any modern home. Most are known for their stylish good looks and reputation for being very easy to care for. But what makes a plant a succulent? 

Defined as a plant with fleshy leaves adapted to storing water, most of the plants in this group hail from deserts and areas that experience hot, dry seasons, giving you a clue as to the conditions they need. 

Succulents come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and while most are grown for their leaf interest, given the right conditions, some may also produce pretty flowers. Their love of dry soils and high temperatures makes them some of the best indoor plants, and while most will not tolerate cold, wet winters, many can also be grown outside in summer, provided they are in pots with drainage holes.

To maintain these beautiful plants indoors, you'll need to place them in a room that receives bright sunlight but provide a little shade in the height of summer when direct sun can scorch their leaves. 

If you're using succulents for your indoor plant ideas then any container will need drainage holes in the base in a 50:50 mix of loam-based, peat-free compost and horticultural grit. Water your plants over a sink, taking care not to wet the leaves, and always allow the moisture to drain away before returning them to a waterproof pot. This will help to prevent rotting, which is one of the few ways you can kill a succulent.  

By Zia Allaway