35 of the Best Hanging and Trailing Succulents and Cacti

A close up horizontal image of a variegated string of pearls succulent in a hanging basket with a brick wall in the background.

Cacti and succulents that trail over a planter’s edge create a beautiful vision of floral bounty. But not all of these plants have the same care needs – and each of them has a different visual appeal. Keep reading to discover 35 of the best hanging and trailing cacti and succulents and choose your favorites!

When and How to Prune Cactus

A close up horizontal image of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Not all cacti need pruning, but there are times when it’s essential to remove damaged tissue, manage size, or take cuttings for propagation. Learn more about the tools you’ll need, when to prune based on the type of growth, and how to make clean cuts without harming your cactus in this guide. Read more now.

How to Identify, Prevent, and Treat Sunburn on Cactus Plants

A close up horizontal image of a small star cactus growing in a pot suffering from sunburn and rot, pictured in bright light on a soft focus background.

Cactus sunburn can cause permanent scarring, tissue damage, and rot if left untreated. It can happen when plants are moved too quickly into intense light or during unexpected heatwaves. Learn how to prevent cactus sunburn, recognize the early signs, and the right steps to help your plant recover in this guide. Read more.

Cactus Going Soft: 5 Reasons and Fixes

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Cacti are appreciated for their easy-care nature, excellent drought tolerance, and unique appearance. And if they have problems such as mushy pads or stems, it’s usually down to a few common issues. To keep your plants strong and healthy, learn why your cactus is going soft and what to do in this guide. Read more now.

9 Monocarpic Succulents That Die After Flowering

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Have you noticed that some succulents seem to die after they have bloomed? Plants that do this are known as monocarpic. They may live for decades before blooming, but when they do, that’s the end of their life. Learn more about what monocarpic succulents are and check out nine species in this guide. Read more now.

How to Prepare Soil for Outdoor Succulent Gardens

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Most succulent species are native to semi-arid regions and have developed specialized roots to absorb soil moisture quickly and efficiently. But the growing medium also needs excellent drainage to prevent problems like root rot. Learn how to prepare soil for outdoor succulent gardens in this guide. Read more now.

How to Treat a Frozen or Frost-Damaged Cactus

A close up horizontal image of barrel cacti growing in the landscape covered in a light dusting of snow.

Some cacti can’t tolerate cold temperatures and when they’re exposed to a freeze they’ll suffer damage. The plants might wilt, become discolored, or develop mushy, necrotic areas. But that doesn’t mean they’re destined for the trash heap. Learn how to revive a frozen cactus and restore it to health in this guide.

When and How to Water Cactus Houseplants

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Cacti are succulents suited to outdoor cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 and popular as houseplants in cooler regions. These water-wise, desert plants are drought-tolerant and overwatering can be fatal – but they do need appropriate hydration. Learn when and how to water potted cactus plants in this guide.

When and How to Repot a Cactus

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Cacti are succulents with fleshy stems that often have sharp spines. They make easy-care houseplants that thrive with low moisture, loose soil, and bright sunlight. Generally quite slow-growing, you won’t need to repot them very often. Learn when and how how to repot cactus plants in this guide. Read more now.

When and How to Fertilize Succulents

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Succulents are an outstanding choice for water-wise gardens. These tough, versatile plants typically thrive in arid conditions and lean soils, and require little care or attention from the gardener. But they’ll do even better with some careful feeding. Learn about how and when to fertilize succulents in this guide.

How to Propagate Succulents from Offsets

A horizontal top view of a succulent with offsets growing in a terra cotta pot.

One of the fun aspects of growing succulents is how easily they reproduce, and growing new plants from offsets or pups may be the easiest propagation technique of all. However, there are a few important steps you need to follow to ensure you are successful. Learn to propagate succulents from offsets in this guide.

21 of the Best Red Succulent Plants

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Red succulents come in a variety of hues, from bright crimson to deep burgundy. These plants are a visual treat whether you’re looking for a houseplant for a windowsill, or a drought-tolerant landscaping plant for the yard. Learn about 21 of the most beautiful red succulents in this guide. Read more now.

29 of the Best Blue Succulent Plants

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With trailing stems or compact rosettes, succulents come in all shapes and sizes, and many of them are a cooling blue hue. This feature protects these xeric plants, which is why there are so many fabulous blue options available. Discover 29 of the best blue succulents and choose your favorites in this guide. Read more.

How to Propagate Succulents from Seed in 9 Easy Steps

A horizontal close up of a variety of succulents in a tray.

If you find succulents fascinating, you might want to try propagating them from seed. However, this gardening project does require a fairly long term commitment, so it’s best to understand the entire process before you get started. Learn how to propagate succulents from seed in 9 steps in this guide. Read more now.

What’s the Best Water for Succulents?

A horizontal shot of a woman gardener watering a jade plant potted in a nursery pot sitting on a wooden table with a white enamel pitcher of water.

Part of keeping your succulent plants happy and healthy isn’t just the amount of water that you provide, but what type. Municipal water can cause mineral build-up that can ultimately harm or kill your plant. Learn what water to use to raise your succulents to keep them looking and feeling their best. Read more now.

When to Plant Succulents in the Northwest

A close up horizontal image of Dudleya edulis, aka fingertips, a succulent plant native to the Pacific Northwest, growing in pots outdoors.

Growing succulents in the soggy Pacific Northwest takes skill. One essential piece of knowledge is understanding what time of year to put these plants into the ground or your outdoor containers. Learn the best time to plant succulents in the northwest, along with a few other growing tips in this guide. Read more now.

Tips for Growing Succulents in a Greenhouse

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With suitable temperature, light, and spacing, many succulent varieties grow well in a home greenhouse. Growing in a greenhouse offers more room for an expanding succulent collection or a dedicated spot for winterizing outdoor specimens. Find tips for growing succulents in a greenhouse in this guide. Read more now.

How to Identify and Control 11 Cactus Pests

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Cacti are resilient desert survivors, but even they’re at risk of infestation and pest damage. Our guide walks you through a handful of significant threats, how to prevent them, and how to handle them if they’re already present. Arm yourself with this know-how, and your cacti will be much better off. Read more now.

How to Care for Succulents in Winter

A close up horizontal image of succulents covered in a layer of snow.

Marvelously tough and typically unfussy, succulents get a little more needy once hot summer weather subsides and winter returns. From repotting to watering to pest control and more, learn how to steward your succulents through the chillier, darker season of winter. Read more about succulent winter care in our guide.

How to Prevent and Manage Rotting in Succulents

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Succulents are drought-resistant plants unique for their ability to store water in plump leaves and roots for survival in arid climates. Sometimes, excess moisture causes the leaves to discolor, soften, and rot. Read on to learn why this may happen, what to do about it, and steps to take to avoid rotting in the future.

How to Create a Succulent Fairy Garden

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Succulents are water-wise plants with plump leaves, fanciful shapes, and varied hues. Instead of having a collection of pots, you can use a large, shallow vessel to group your plants together in a whimsical fairy garden. Read on for idea-packed tips to create clever designs that are fun to look at and easy to care for.

How to Grow and Care for Succulents

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Want to become a succulent gardening pro? We share our top tips for planting, watering, fertilizer needs, dealing with winter weather or warm spells, pests and diseases, and more. Whether you’re planting outdoors in Zone 11 or growing a few potted plants in a sunny windowsill, read our guide now on Gardener’s Path.

How to Make Your Own Potting Soil for Succulents

A close up horizontal image of succulents growing in a terra cotta pot in a DIY homemade potting mix.

Attractive, colorful, and unique plants, cacti and succulents are fabulous in containers, and require little care or maintenance. But these shallow-rooted, fleshy plants do need special soil to really thrive – one that’s fast-draining with a sandy, porous texture. Find the best DIY succulent potting soil recipe here.

How to Identify and Manage Cactus Longhorn Beetles

A close up horizontal image of a cactus longhorn beetle munching on a plant.

Cactus longhorn beetles are prevalent in the desert climes of North America. If you grow cacti in your landscape, read on to discover which species of cacti these insect pests favor as their hosts, when they are most active, the damage they are capable of inflicting, and how to manage an infestation.

How to Identify and Control Mites on Succulents

A close up horizontal image of an aloe plant that is rotting due to infestation of mites.

Succulents are a very popular category of plants, featuring a variety of shapes and colors, and seeming to thrive on neglect. Mites like them too, and if you let them, they’ll suck on your collection with gusto. Learn everything you need to know about succulent mites and how to deal with them in this guide. Read more now.

What Are Cactus Glochid Spines?

A close up horizontal image of the top of a prickly pear plant showing the large spines and smaller glochids.

All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti have sharp, prominent spines that inhibit moisture loss and provide shade and protection for the fleshy stems. Many species also have clusters of smaller spines called glochids. Learn about these small yet troublesome ones so you’re not caught unawares.

Agave or Aloe? How to Tell These Plants Apart

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Get serious about succulents and learn the difference between agave and aloe. Don’t let their resemblance fool you anymore! After reading about them individually and discovering their notable differences, it’s simple to tell these stunning drought-tolerant plants apart – and they make a fantastic pair in the garden.

Learn How to Propagate Cacti

A horizontal image of a collection of succulents and cacti on a wooden table with a white wall in the background.

Sporting sharp spines, and coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, cacti are also easy to propagate. There are a variety of ways you can do this, whether via cuttings, offsets, seeds, or division. To learn everything you need to know to propagate these pointy plants, visit Gardeners Path for all the details.

How to Grow Succulents Outdoors in the Garden

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Low-maintenance, water-wise succulents are popular houseplants, but did you know that you can also cultivate them outdoors in the garden? Read on to discover species suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone and create eye-catching arrangements that display the varied forms, colors, and textures of these quirky desert plants.

9 Must-Have Succulent Planters

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Succulents are funky and fun to grow, especially in the trendy and functional containers we’ve gathered for you. Read on to discover 7 of our favorite pots and planters, plus key growing tips and a foolproof design scheme. Learn how to show off your water-wise plant collection now, right here on Gardener’s Path.

Propagating Succulents in 5 Easy Steps

Various succulent plants in a garden setting.

Are you looking for an affordable way to xeriscape with succulent plants? Create an enchanting low-maintenance array of colors, shapes, and textures by purchasing one of each of your favorites, and propagating the rest yourself. Learn how with easy instructions from your friends at Gardener’s Path.

11 Best Easy-Care Exotic Succulents to Grow at Home

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Succulent plants are not just for desert landscapes. Cluster them in bright containers to energize a patio, or among river rock for a serene garden bed. Set pots around the house for eye-catching color, shape, and texture. Easy and fun, they add style to any decor. Meet eleven beauties, here on Gardener’s Path.