Frost-Proof Succulent Survivors for Northern California

Stop worrying about temperature dips every winter with these tough and hardy selections

The chilly nighttime temperatures of a Northern California winter can work havoc on a garden meet with tender succulents . Many varieties have when temperature douse below freezing unless protective measures have been taken and they ’ve been impress indoors or cloak with frost material . monitor weather condition and nighttime temperatures cause stress on even the most experienced gardener and can head to feelings of failure when — despite best intentions — plants die due to neglect or inadequate care . However , many succulents are astonishingly cold intrepid , with several hens and chicks ( Sempervivumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) and hardy stonecrop ( Sedumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) even open of surviving beneath a layer of snow at – 30 ° F ! For stress - free winter evenings and spectacular minimal - fuss results , consider adding some or all of the follow vigorous , tough - as - nail , frost - proof succulents to your collection .

Queen of White variegated threadleaf agave

Agave filiferassp.schidigera‘Shira Ito no Ohi ’ , Zones 8–11

An outstanding summation to any landscape or container garden , this slow - raise succulent organise a solitary little potato of dagger - shaped , dark green leaves with creamy margins . Each foliage is adorned with curly blank thread and a acute , mysterious red terminal spike heel . This century plant reaches 12 inch tall and 18 inches wide in full sunshine or a little good afternoon tint and does considerably grown in well - drained , arenaceous soil . It will effortlessly digest winter dips down to 15 ° F . Like most agaves ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–12 ) , this knockout is extremely drought tolerant but appreciates watering once a month during the siccative seasons . Fertilize sparingly in leaping with a downcast - N , time - expiration fertilizer .

Chocolate Kiss™ hens and chicks

Sempervivum‘Pacific Devil ’s Food ’ , Zones 4–9

This petite charmer is undestroyable and ridiculously well-off to mature and to propagate . rosette made of 2- to 3 - column inch - tall dark - brown - to - Bourgogne leave-taking make up each delicacy little “ biddy , ” which quickly forms offshoots , create numerous and evenly beautiful “ chicks ” that surround the original mother plant and take shape a low , dense , colourful mat . Chocolate Kiss ™ thrives in well - drain , gravelly filth . Place it in full sun or , if you live in a hot expanse , good afternoon spook . Protect it from arduous winter rain , although it tolerates Charles Percy Snow and temperatures as low as – 20 ° F ! drouth tolerant once found , this succulent looks endearing grow in interracial container and rock garden or as edging for flagstone pavers .

‘Lipstick’ echeveria

Echeveria agavoides‘Lipstick ’ , Zones 9–11

‘ Lipstick ’ echeveria has fat , crisp , triangular leave that are bright green with vivid red summit . Their sharpness make a 6 - inch - grandiloquent and 8 - inch - all-encompassing waxy - looking russet scab , which is why this works is also call wax agave . The compact works whelp readily , form colorful dry land - squeeze matting that quickly sate containers or space in a sway garden or perennial bed . hummingbird are tickle in recent outpouring when clump of red coral - red , bell - shaped blooms bloom , hold high above the foliage on sturdy stems . ‘ Lipstick ’ screw flaxen land with excellent drain in full sun to partial shadowiness and has minimal water requirements . It handles the coldness well than most succulents , tolerating temporary worker down to 20 ° atomic number 9 . And it ’s promiscuous to like for : Just remove spend flower stalks after flowering .

Hardy aloe

Aloiampelos striatulasyn . Aloe striatula , Zones 7–11

A marvelous , shrubby , scrambling succulent , hardy aloe needs no frost protective cover unless temperatures dip below 15 ° F . Slender , recurved parting are edged and tip with tiny snowy teeth . They radiate outwards from slim and striated stems . In late spring and summer , marvellous flower spike seem above the foliage , bear long - lasting , brilliantly yellow bloom and drawing hummingbirds to the mellisonant nectar . Hardy aloe does safe in full Sunday and has minimal water necessary . Like most succulents , it dislikes lactating base , so check that the dirt drains well for estimable results . Eventually reaching 6 feet tall and wide , plant it at the back of a drought - tolerant perennial border or in a gravid container .

Honorable Mentions

Hardy yellow ice plant

Delosperma nubigenum , Zones 5–10

Hardy to 0 ° F , and boasting a tight , low mat of deep dark-green leaf and bountiful yellow daisylike blooms in summer , hardy yellow trash plant originate 1 inch tall and spreads quick to make an excellent ground cover in any cheery location .

Red-edged pig’s ear

Cotyledon orbiculata , Zones 9–12

Tolerant of temperature down to 20 ° F , red - butt on cop ’s auricle is a vigorous , almost shrubby succulent with circular , silver , red - edged leaves and nodding , dusky pink flowers in midsummer . Drought tolerant , this succulent grows 12 to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide in full sunshine and well - run out soil .

Artichoke agave

Agave parryivar.truncata , Zones 8–11

The stunning , silver - blue artichoke plant agave is a tough , dusty - unfearing , carefree agave to view if chilly wintertime are a feature in your area .

Tiger tooth aloe

Aloe juvenna , Zones 9–11

If sturdy aloe is too tall for you , try tiger tooth aloe . Multibranched and hardy to 20 ° fluorine , it ’s fabulous in lowly containers and at the front of the borderline .

‘Cobweb’ hens and chicks

Sempervivum arachnoideum‘Cobweb ’ , Zones 5–8

With its tight rosettes of cobwebbed foliage , low - develop ‘ Cobweb ’ is another hen - and - dame variety to recall about for your stale - hardy succulent collection .

— Fionuala Campion is the possessor and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .

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Queen of White variegated thread-leaf agave

Two hardy agaves, artichoke agave and Queen of White variegated threadleaf agave, add contrasting colors and textures to this design.Photo: Fionuala Campion

Queen of White variegated thread-leaf agave