Where the Rare Succulents Grow

Going hand in hand with the last long blog post I did which was over a succulent’s climate, this post is about succulents in the wild. However, since that is super boring to just learn about all of the wild succulents, so it is about the rarest forms of succulents. This is also more of an educational post than a fun post like some of the others. It also will be another long post. One of the coolest things about succulents is they grow many different places. They are found on every continent besides Antarctica.

Ten most rare species of succulents:

Since these are rare types of succulents, most of them are only in wild or are very expensive to purchase so many people choose other species. They are also a lot of times harder to care for than the basic succulents that one can buy from the store. Many of them even have multiple colors which is what makes them rare.

1. Othonna capensis aka ‘Ruby Necklace’

2. Pachyphytum compactum aka ‘Little Jewel’

3. Conophytum subbglobosum

4. Ariocarpus trigonus, Living rock cactus

5. Tephrocactus articulates, Paper Spine Cactus

6. Haworthia truncate v. maughanii

7. Adromischus maculatus ‘Calico Hearts’

8. Echeveria x imbricate ‘Compton Carousel’

9. Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, Purple Moon Cactus

10. Haworthia cuspidate variegata

Othonna Capensis ‘Ruby Necklace’

The physical features of a Ruby Necklace, according to World of Succulents, is “fast growing, trailing succulent with long, narrow, bean-like foliage that grows on brightly covered stems.” “Small, yellow, daisy like flowers can appear all year round.” The ‘brightly covered stems’ include purple, red and burgundy stems. The stems look a lot like vines. A fun fact about this type of succulent is that they can grow on green stems, but that succulent is called “little pickles” and is not rare. When looking this up many of them don’t have the flowers the website mentioned but those were definitely prettier ones. When looking at them, my first thought was not that they looked like the type of succulents we picture and think of. The ones that did not have flowers, which I’m assuming is much more common, have grape looking things coming off the vines. These are the ones where this succulent gets its nick name. Personally, I don’t think they look like rubies, but apparently some people did. These plants originate from South Africa. However, they can grow in many climates as long as it is not freezing. These can be household plants, but “Little Pickles” are more common. They are bigger plants than most succulents so they aren’t as common in houses.

Pachyphytum Compactum “Little Jewel”

According to World of Succulents, this succulent’s physical features are, “thick, distinctively patterned leaves and barrel-shaped, red and dark- tipped flowers.” This is a normal description of a succulent. Sometimes these can be colorful but those are extremely rare and are most commonly green. This succulent can not stand cold weather, but can stand high temperatures, low water intake, little sunlight and ever poor soil conditions. This succulent originates from Mexico. This looks more like a typical succulent with the thick leaves. It gets its nickname because when you look at it from the top, it looks like a cut gemstone. These are rare to find in stores; however, one can find them online. They are becoming more common due to the fact that succulents are growing in popularity, and these are easy to propagate. This makes the amount of them multiply and therefore the prices of them to decrease. They can be found in many different sizes as well which is good for popularity. This is good for the species that they are rapidly growing, so they don’t get close to being endangered or extinct.

Conophytum Subglobosum

This is one of the most oddly shaped succulents I have ever seen. They originate from South Africa and are winter growers. For South Africa that does not mean they survive in old temperatures, but rather dry seasons. In the wild they are found in gravel usually which is interesting. This means that they are known as obligate rock dwellers. They can also grow on the sides of rocks like moss and other plants. This is good for them because they don’t have to compete with other plants for any water, space, or light because not many other plants are. These succulents look like huge beans or pebbles. Actually, they look like two clumped together. Sometimes they have an opening in the middle and have a little flower coming out. Their nickname is “living pebbles.” These succulents are pretty rare. I had not ever seen or heard of them before. They are not commonly found in households.

Ariocarpus Trigonus, Living rock cactus

This succulent is physically a lot like the living pebble. However, the Living Rock Cactus has a much deeper split down the middle. They also survive in many of the same conditions as the succulent above. These succulents are more commonly found in more colors than the one above. With this succulent, flowers always bloom in the middle. To survive this succulent must have a dry dormant period so that they can completely rebuild their body in the winter and early spring. If this succulent is in the house it is much better outside as a garden plant than in the house. If they are in the garden it needs to be a pebble or rock garden. They cannot survive in soil. Because people don’t usually have pebble or rock gardens these succulents usually are not found at households.

Tephrocactus articulates, Paper Spine Cactus

This is another interesting looking succulent. Since it is rare, I have also never seen this one before this research. This one is the first one to originate from Argentina. Compared to other succulents, this one needs more water. It can survive in sun or shade. It cannot survive in freezing temperature but pretty much all others it can. It has a spine and sharp edges, so one has to be careful around it. It has skinny leaf like things that are pinecone shaped and that easily fall off. For the most part it is usually white, but it can have pink or pale-yellow tints. It has made its way to the US and can be found in Arizona and California in the wild. This succulent is much harder to propagate. This is also a unique succulent because when it breaks apart it has seeds. Most succulents do not have seeds. This is not a pretty looking succulent so many people do not want this in their garden or house.

Haworthia Truncate v. Maughanii

At first glance, this type of succulents does not even look like plants. They originate from South Africa. They grow in the shade of the bushes. They grow mostly underground with only their leaves showing. This makes them extremely hard to find. They grow this way to help protect themselves from herbivores. Also, during the day it helps them protect themselves from sun and heat since they grow in shade. They usually have flat topped, stubby leaves that are most the time in the shape of a rectangle. Most of the time, the top of the leaves have white like on the top of them. This is definitely one of the ugliest succulents I have ever seen. This is just my opinion though. Since it mostly grows under ground there is no reason one would want it as a household plant.

Adromischus maculatus ‘Calico Hearts’

Once again, this is the first time I have ever seen this succulent and its more than just because it is rare… it is one ugly succulent. The physical color of this succulent is a calico grey, green mix. They have flat, oval shaped leaves that have purple spots on the ends of them. This is where the succulent gets its nickname. Many thought that the spots on it made it look calico, and the leaves shape make them resemble the shape of a heart. These are mostly grown in green houses under bright, indoor light. It needs a good amount of water compared to other succulents but is still super sensitive to overwatering. It cannot grow in cold weather. The leaves are easy to propagate. This plant can be poisonous to humans and animals. This is only by ingesting them, however, this still turns many people away from wanting them in their homes around their families and pets. These grow in a various range of sizes. They originate from South Africa, but as mentioned before, they are grown mostly in greenhouses now.

Echeveria x imbricate ‘Compton Carousel’

Now for a succulent that is not one of the ugliest I have ever seen. In fact, this is one of the more beautiful succulents that’s not just cute, but actually beautiful. The leaves of this succulent are round and grow in a circle around the center of the plant. The inside of the leaves is a blueish-grayish-greenish color with white/cream areas on the outside of them. This succulent follows the basics of succulents when it comes to habitat and caring for it. It grows in soil but does not need much water. The soil needs to be dry before it needs more water, and it is sensitive to overwatering. It does need lots of light whether that be natural or inside. Propagating this succulent is easy with its leaves. This succulent originates from Mexico. I could not find if these are found in many households. However, with the minimal care they require like normal succulents and how pretty they are, this would be a succulent I’d be more than willing to have in my own home.

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, Purple Moon Cactus

This is one succulent that I am not sure how I feel about it. It is another that I had never seen before researching and it almost looks fake when you first glance at it. It reminds me of a cartoon in a way. Its nickname is an accurate representation of its physical features. It looks very much so of a cactus; however, it is purple and in the shape of a sphere on top of a green stem. It originates from Argentina where it is found growing in mountains at high elevations. These succulents also do not require much water at all and is prone to over watering. It thrives when it is in bright, but indirect sunlight. They are unique because they are one type of cacti that can survive in freezing temperatures but do better when it is not freezing. This is the type of succulent that you would find in a single pot in a home. It adds a little color and would give a room a little more life.

Haworthia cuspidate variegate

This is another more typical looking succulent. It is a small succulent and has “star-like rosettes” according World of Succulents. The leaves are a bright lime greenish color and wedge shaped. These would be and are easy houseplants if one is looking for a new succulent. They are small so a small pot would do. They require the basic succulent care of minimal water and as much sunlight as possible. It is not a beautiful succulent but is a cute little one like the ones on previous blog posts. These make good accents in ones garden or in their house. They are also very easy to propagate.

Now you have learned about the ten most rare types of succulents, maybe you are keen to go and buy one. Most of them you have to buy online, but with succulents growing in popularity, that is not a difficult task. I learned many things in my research about succulent and I hope you took some of it from this post. If you are interested in one I encourage you to do your own research. Who knows, maybe someday soon you will find out that I invested in a rare succulent of my own. As always, thanks so much for reading the blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Come back soon for more succy content!