If you think succulents and cold weather don’t mix, think again! These tough little plants can handle frost and chill better than you might expect.
I’ve handpicked 15 hardy succulents that stay strong even when temperatures drop, plus a couple of surprising picks that’ll make you rethink your winter garden.
Growing these resilient beauties is easier than you’d imagine, and they bring a cool, quirky vibe to any chilly corner. Get ready to meet some seriously cool plants that don’t shy away from the cold!
1. Sempervivum
Commonly called ‘hens and chicks,’ these rosette-forming succulents laugh in the face of winter’s worst. They can survive temperatures as low as -30°F without batting an eye! Their compact clusters spread easily, creating beautiful ground cover in rock gardens.
The colors intensify during cold weather, turning deeper reds, purples, and greens. Each mother plant (the hen) produces many baby offsets (the chicks) that can be easily separated and replanted elsewhere in your garden.
2. Sedum
Hardy sedums bring charm to any cold-weather garden with their diverse shapes and sizes. From low-growing ground covers to upright varieties reaching 2 feet tall, there’s a sedum for every garden spot. Their fleshy leaves store water, helping them survive dry winter conditions.
Many varieties change color dramatically when temperatures drop, developing rich burgundy, copper, and purple hues. Autumn Joy and Dragon’s Blood are particularly tough varieties that can handle temperatures down to -40°F.
3. Jovibarba
Often confused with their cousins Sempervivum, Jovibarba succulents are equally tough winter warriors. The main difference lies in how they reproduce – Jovibarba forms little balls that roll away from the mother plant to start new growth elsewhere.
Their tight rosettes close up during winter, creating a protective ball shape. This clever adaptation shields the inner growth point from freezing temperatures and moisture. Hardy down to -30°F, these little fighters will return year after year.
4. Agave
Not all agaves need desert heat! Several species handle freezing temperatures with remarkable resilience. Agave parryi and Agave havardiana are standouts, tolerating temperatures down to -20°F in the right conditions. Their architectural forms add dramatic structure to winter landscapes.
The bluish-gray leaves develop gorgeous purple tinges in cold weather. For best cold hardiness, plant in well-draining soil and keep relatively dry during winter months to prevent root rot.
5. Opuntia
These prickly pear cacti might seem like desert dwellers, but many varieties laugh in the face of snow and ice. Opuntia fragilis and Opuntia humifusa can withstand temperatures as low as -35°F! During winter, their pads often shrivel and appear dead, but don’t be fooled.
This dehydration is actually a clever survival strategy. Come spring, they plump back up and continue growing. Their yellow, orange, or pink flowers in summer are worth the wait after their winter dormancy.
6. Delosperma
Ice plants earn their nickname not from cold tolerance but from the glistening cells covering their leaves. Despite this misleading name, many varieties are surprisingly cold-hardy! Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma nubigenum can survive temperatures down to -20°F with good drainage.
Their low-growing, mat-forming habit makes them perfect for rock gardens and slopes. The succulent foliage stays evergreen in milder winters, while in severe cold, they may die back but resprout from their roots in spring.
7. Lewisia
Named after explorer Meriwether Lewis, these mountain-dwelling succulents are built for harsh conditions. Their thick rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves hug the ground, conserving heat during freezing temperatures. Many varieties can handle temperatures down to -20°F, especially when planted in well-draining soil.
During winter dormancy, Lewisia’s leaves often take on attractive reddish hues. Their stunning spring flowers in shades of pink, orange, and white are a welcome reward after winter’s chill has passed.
8. Orostachys
Often called ‘dunce caps’ due to their distinctive cone-shaped growth, these Asian mountain natives are remarkably cold-hardy. Their tight rosettes transform into tall flowering spikes before setting seed and dying, but not before producing plenty of offsets to continue the cycle.
Handling temperatures down to -30°F, Orostachys species like O. spinosa and O. boehmeri make fascinating additions to rock gardens. Their bluish-green to reddish leaves form perfect geometric patterns that add winter interest to any garden.
9. Rosularia
These charming small rosette-formers from mountainous regions of Europe and Asia handle winter’s bite with ease. Similar to Sempervivum but typically smaller and more delicate-looking, Rosularia species can nonetheless withstand temperatures down to -20°F in well-draining conditions.
Their tight clusters of fleshy leaves often develop attractive reddish tinges in cold weather. Rosularia species like R. sedoides and R. aizoon make perfect additions to troughs, rock crevices, and alpine gardens where their diminutive size can be appreciated.
10. Euphorbia
While many euphorbias prefer warmth, several species laugh at frost. Euphorbia myrsinites and Euphorbia rigida handle temperatures down to -20°F while maintaining their architectural good looks. Their spiraling blue-gray leaves and acid-yellow spring flowers create dramatic garden focal points.
During winter, the leaf tips often develop attractive reddish or purplish tints. Be careful when handling these plants – like all euphorbias, they contain irritating white sap that can cause skin reactions.
11. Rhodiola
Also known as roseroot, these alpine succulents have been used medicinally for centuries to combat stress and fatigue. Their incredible cold hardiness (down to -40°F) comes from evolving in some of Earth’s harshest mountain environments across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The fleshy leaves form tight clusters that hug the ground during winter. Come summer, they produce star-shaped yellow, red, or pink flowers on tall stems. Rhodiola rosea is the most commonly grown species in gardens.
12. Yucca
These dramatic architectural plants aren’t just for desert landscapes! Several yucca species tolerate freezing temperatures with remarkable resilience. Yucca filamentosa and Yucca glauca can survive temperatures down to -30°F while maintaining their bold, spiky presence in the winter garden.
Their evergreen sword-shaped leaves provide year-round structure and interest. For best cold hardiness, ensure excellent drainage and avoid winter wetness. Their impressive summer flower spikes reaching 6 feet tall are worth the winter wait.
13. Echinocereus
Proving that cacti aren’t just for deserts, many hedgehog cacti species shrug off freezing temperatures with ease. Echinocereus triglochidiatus (Claret Cup) and Echinocereus viridiflorus can handle temperatures down to -20°F when grown in well-draining soil.
Their cylindrical bodies often take on purplish hues in winter cold. Come spring, they reward gardeners with spectacular cup-shaped flowers in brilliant reds, pinks, or yellows. Plant them against south-facing rocks for extra heat protection.
14. Pediocactus
These native North American cacti are some of the toughest plants on Earth, growing naturally in areas with harsh winters. Pediocactus simpsonii, commonly called mountain ball cactus, can survive temperatures as low as -40°F in its native Rocky Mountain habitat.
During winter, these small round cacti often shrink and partially retract into the ground. This clever adaptation helps them avoid the worst of winter’s bite. Their spring flowers in yellow, pink, or white are especially precious after their winter disappearing act.
15. Escobaria
These diminutive cacti may look delicate, but they’re incredibly tough winter survivors. Native to cold mountain regions of North America, species like Escobaria vivipara can handle temperatures down to -30°F with proper drainage. Their small, clustering forms create attractive colonies over time.
During winter, their spiny bodies often contract and take on reddish or purplish hues. Spring brings beautiful funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink, magenta, or yellow that contrast beautifully with their spiny bodies.
16. Cylindropuntia
Also known as cholla cacti, these branching, cylindrical-stemmed plants include several cold-hardy species. Cylindropuntia imbricata and Cylindropuntia whipplei can survive temperatures down to -20°F while maintaining their unique tree-like structure in the landscape.
Their jointed segments are covered with formidable spines that glow beautifully when backlit by winter sun. In cold weather, the stems often develop purple tints. Their spring flowers in shades of pink, purple, or yellow contrast dramatically with their spiny frames.
17. Maihuenia
Hailing from the cold mountains of Patagonia, these rare cushion-forming cacti are among the most cold-tolerant in the world. Maihuenia poeppigii forms dense mats of small, rounded segments that can withstand temperatures down to -20°F in well-draining conditions.
Unlike most cacti, they have true leaves – tiny, round structures that persist through winter. Their compact growth habit helps them survive by creating their own microclimate. In summer, they produce creamy white or yellow flowers that contrast with their spiny pads.
18. Dudleya
While most Dudleya prefer mild climates, a few species can handle brief freezes with surprising resilience. Dudleya cymosa and Dudleya pulverulenta can survive temperatures down to 20°F when kept dry during cold weather. Their chalky, powder-coated rosettes add unique texture to winter gardens.
The white coating actually helps protect the plants from both sunburn and frost damage. For best cold hardiness, plant under overhangs or areas with winter protection from excessive moisture, as wet conditions during freezing weather can damage these otherwise tough plants.
19. Graptopetalum
Known as ghost plants or leatherpetals, several Graptopetalum species handle light freezes with surprising grace. Graptopetalum paraguayense can survive temperatures down to 25°F when kept relatively dry. Their opalescent, pastel-colored rosettes develop deeper pink and purple tints in cold weather.
The fleshy leaves store water, helping them survive dry winter conditions. For best cold hardiness, plant in well-draining soil and provide some protection from persistent freezing temperatures and wet conditions.
20. Hesperaloe
False yuccas combine the dramatic architectural appeal of yuccas with exceptional cold hardiness. Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca) handles temperatures down to -20°F while maintaining its attractive form. The long, arching leaves form fountain-like clumps that add movement to winter gardens.
Despite their common name, they’re not true yuccas but related succulents in the Agave family. Their evergreen leaves often develop attractive reddish or purplish tints during cold weather. In summer, tall flower stalks produce tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds.