Want to brighten up your garden with more splashes of color? Here are 10 pink succulents that will add a pop of color to any garden, indoors or out!
1. Graptopetalum pyrangenese ‘Ghost Plant’
Native to Mexico, the ghost plant can turn bright yellow-pink shades in full sun. It has a powdery white coating called pruinose that gives it a “ghosty” appearance. Graptopetalum are hardy succulents and can tolerate less than ideal conditions pretty well. Compared to other succulents, they are less likely to sunburn, are more tolerant of shadier areas, and pretty cold hardy. This makes them ideal for beginners!
As they grow, Graptopetalum develop long, woody stems that cascade down from their pot. At their mature size, they can grow up to 12 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Ghost plants are easily propagated from leaves and grow offsets (pups) that branch off the stem, allowing you to easily multiply your collection. During the spring season, they can produce pretty yellow blooms.
Ghost plants are happiest in a pot with well-draining and porous soil. Provide your ghost plant with several hours of bright, direct sun everyday so that it can maintain it’s pink color and compact shape. Water about once a week in the summer and once every 3 to 4 weeks in the winter.
2. Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’
Like Graptopetalum, Echeveria have a similar rosette shape and fleshy leaves. Perle von Nurnberg are among the most popular and common echeveria types due to their gorgeous purple highlights. To bring out the pink and purple tones in your echeveria, provide it with several hours of bright sun every day.This will prevent it from stretching out (etiolating) and keep it in a nice, compact shape. If you notice the leaves on your Perle von Nurnberg turning gray, move it to a sunnier area.
Since they are native to Mexico, Perle von Nurnberg like sandy, well-draining soil, hot arid climates, and are drought-tolerant. Water them about once a week in the summer and once every three weeks in the winter. If you notice dead leaves on your Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg, remove them quickly to avoid attracting pests.
With proper care, this Echeveria can grow to a height of 5 inches.
3. Echeveria ‘Purple Pearl’
Another member of the Echeveria family, the Echeveria ‘purple pearl’ has rosy pink and pointed leaves. Like other Echeverias, pot it in a well-draining and sandy potting soil, water infrequently and keep it in a bright, sunny area. The more sun this plant receives, the pinker it’s leaves will turn.
This gorgeous succulent can grow up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide. During the summer, it grows 12 inch tall flower stalks with pink blooms. ‘Purple Pearl’ is easily propagated through cuttings, leaves, or offsets.
4. Pachyphytum oviferum ‘Moonstones’
Pachyphytum oviferum is also known as ‘sugaralmond plant’ or ‘pink moonstones’ due to the shape of it’s leaves. In fact, the name Pachyphytum oviferum means ‘thick plant bearing eggs’. The chubby leaves are coated with a fine, white powder called farina for sun protection. Try not to touch the leaves too much because it can remove this coating.
The leaves on Pachyphytum oviferum range from pale blue to bluish-purple. It does best with bright light. If your Pachyphytum is indoors, rotate the pot every few days so that each side of the plant gets enough sunlight. When watering make sure you water the soil at the base of the plant- if water gets on the leaves or in the rosette, it could lead to rot.
Pachyphytum can grow up to a height of 8 inches and a width of 4 inches.
5. Crassula perforata Variegata ‘String of Buttons’
This is a variegated version of the Crassula perforata ‘String of Buttons’ succulent. Crassula perforata Variegata has pointed, triangular leaves that are pale yellow and green. With enough sun, the tips turn bright pink. It can grow up to 10 inches tall with proper care, making it pop out in any arrangement.
This pink succulent species is normally found growing among rocks and crevices in South Africa. Like other succulents, Crassula perforata requires plenty of bright light and thorough waterings once a week. It blooms in late summer to early fall and produces white flowers.
6. Aeonium leucoblepharum
A member of the Crassulaceae family and Aeonium genus, Aeonium leucoblepharum has a beautiful rosette shape with pointed leaves and a central stripe. The leaf color ranges from yellow to pale green to pink, depending on the amount of light received. These pink succulents are native to mountainous regions in Yemen and northeastern Africa.
Unlike the previous succulents, Aeonium leucoblepharum does not like hot, arid conditions and goes dormant during the summer. During this time, they need very little water. Do not be alarmed if your plant drops some leaves or forms a tightly-closed rosette, as this is a part of the normal dormancy process.
Their growing season is during the cooler months of winter at temperatures around 65 °F (18 °C). During this time, water whenever the top inch of soil is dry and allow it to completely dry in between waterings.
7. Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’
This pink succulent is a hybrid between Graptopetalum paraguayense and Sedum stahlii. It has a rosette shape with pink, chubby leaves. ‘Vera Higgins’ can grow up to 10 inches in height and 12 inches in width. As they grow taller, the stem thickens and develops a woody appearance. ‘Vera Higgins’ bloom in the spring time, producing yellow flowers.
Like other succulents, provide this Graptosedum with bright sun, plant in well-draining soil and water when the soil is dry. They cannot tolerate temperatures lower than 35 °F (1.7 °C) and are quite sensitive to frost.
This Graptosedum plant looks great in an arrangement with Echeverias.
8. Graptosedum ‘Darley Sunshine’
Graptosedum are a hybrid between the Graptopetalum and Sedum species. Darley Sunshine’s leaves grow in a spiral whorl shape. The tips are a light pastel pink, and the inner part of the leaf can range from yellow, green to bluish-green.
This succulent can grow up to 8 inches tall. It is not cold-hardy and cannot handle temperatures below 30 °F (-1.1 °C). It has the same sunlight, water, and soil needs as other succulents. Darley Sunshine die easily if overwatered, so take care to water only when the soil is dry. It’s blooms produce beautiful white flowers.
Graptosedum can be propagated from leaves, cuttings, and offsets.
9. Aloe ‘Pink Blush’
With its pink, tooth-like edges and textured leaves, this aloe is sure to stand out anywhere. It can grow up to 12 inches in height and 14 inches in width. It produces bright orange blooms in early springtime. Aloes easily propagate by producing offsets (pups) at their base.
This succulent can grow up to 8 inches tall. To maintain the pink edges, provide the aloe with plenty of sun. It has the same water and soil needs as other succulents. Take special care to avoid overwatering aloe because they hate sitting in wet soil. They cannot tolerate frost or rains.
10. Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’ (‘Red Jelly Beans’)
Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’, also known as the ‘red jelly bean’ gets its nickname from the unique shape of its bright red fleshy leaves. The center of this plant’s leaves are a light green and it’s red tips are highlighted with enough bright sun.
As a native of Mexico, Sedum rubrotinctum needs full sun, well-draining soil, and has similar watering needs as other succulents. With proper care, it can grow to a height of 8 inches. During the spring time, it produces tiny, yellow flowers.
The red jelly bean is very easy to propagate from leaves and cuttings.
Common question: Why are my pink succulents turning green?
If your succulent has turned green after a few weeks, there is nothing wrong with it- green succulents are still healthy and nothing needs to be done.
If you want your succulent to go back to the vibrant colors it had, try easing it into an area with more sun (but not too quickly or it can sunburn!). South-facing windows are best because they provide plenty of light. If you find your windows are not bright enough, you may have to get a grow lamp and put your succulent under there.
These are 10 pink succulents to brighten up your garden if it is looking too green. Which one is your favorite?
Want to learn more about succulent care? Check out these articles:
How Often Should you Water Succulents and Cacti
Succulent Root Rot: What it is and How to Treat It
Succulent Etiolation: What to do if your Succulent is Growing Tall
