If you’re looking for a plant that brings a fiery pop of color to your space without demanding constant attention, you’re in the right place. Orange succulents are vibrant and easy-care choices that can brighten any sunny spot. Their warm hues range from soft peach to deep, sunset orange, and they thrive with the same simple routine as their green cousins.
This guide will show you how to choose, grow, and keep these stunning plants colorful. We’ll cover the best varieties for your home, their simple light and water needs, and tips to help them show off their brightest shades. Let’s get started.
Orange Succulents – Vibrant and Easy-Care
This group of plants isn’t just one specific type. Instead, many succulent species can develop orange leaves under the right conditions. The color is often a response to sun exposure, cooler temperatures, or slight stress, making them dynamic and changing with the seasons. Their easy-going nature makes them perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Top Varieties to Look For
Here are some of the most popular and reliable orange succulents you can find. Each has its own unique charm and character.
- Echeveria ‘Apricot Rose’: This beauty forms rosettes with a lovely gradient of pink, peach, and orange tones. It’s a real standout in any arrangement.
- Sedum nussbaumerianum (Coppertone Stonecrop): This low-growing sedum has needle-like leaves that turn a brilliant coppery-orange in full sun. It’s fantastic for ground cover or spilling over pots.
- Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’: A hardy hybrid that lives up to its name. Its chunky leaves exhibit gorgeous pink and orange colors, especially when grown in bright light.
- Kalanchoe luciae (Flapjack or Paddle Plant): Known for its large, flat, round leaves. The edges can develop a deep, rusty orange or red rim when given plenty of sunlight.
- Aloe ‘Christmas Carol’: A striking aloe with dark green leaves adorned with bright red-orange bumps and edges. It’s a festive and architectural plant.
How to Care for Your Orange Succulents
The “easy-care” part is true, but they do have a few specific needs to keep them healthy and colorful. Follow these basic rules for success.
Light: The Key to Vibrant Color
Sunlight is the most important factor for bringing out orange hues. Most of these plants need several hours of direct sunlight each day. A south or west-facing window is ideal indoors. If the light is to low, your succulent will likely revert to green and become stretched out or “leggy.”
If you’re moving a plant to a sunnier spot, do it gradually. A sudden change can cause sunburn, which appears as bleached or brown scars on the leaves. Increase exposure over a week or two.
Watering: The “Soak and Dry” Method
Overwatering is the fastest way to harm a succulent. They store water in there leaves, so they prefer a cycle of thorough watering followed by complete dryness.
- Wait until the soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. You can check with a moisture meter or a wooden skewer.
- When it’s time, water deeply until excess water flows freely out of the drainage hole.
- Empty the saucer underneath so the plant isn’t sitting in water.
- Now, wait again. Do not water on a schedule; always check the soil first. In winter, they may need water only once a month or less.
Soil and Potting
Excellent drainage is non-negotiable. Use a specialized cactus and succulent potting mix. For even better drainage, you can amend it with extra perlite or pumice (about a 50/50 mix is great). Always choose a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta pots are excellent because they allow the soil to dry out more quickly.
Repot your succulent every couple of years to refresh the soil. This is best done in the spring or early summer when the plant is entering its active growth phase.
Encouraging More Orange Color
If your plant is healthy but staying green, you can encourage it to show its orange potential. The main triggers are light and stress.
- Increase Sunlight: Safely provide more direct sun. Outdoor plants in the right climate will often color up beautifully.
- Introduce Slight Stress: This means allowing the plant to become a bit thirsty between waterings and exposing it to cooler (but not freezing) temperatures. A drop in temperature in the fall can trigger stunning color changes.
Remember, the goal is slight stress. Severe drought, sunburn, or cold damage will harm the plant. Always prioritize health over color.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even easy-care plants can have issues. Here’s how to spot and fix common problems.
Leaves Turning Soft and Mushy
This is almost always a sign of overwatering. The cells in the leaves take in to much water and burst. If you catch it early, stop watering immediately. Let the soil dry out completely. You may need to remove the squishy leaves and check the stem for rot. If the stem is black or mushy, you might need to behead the plant to save it.
Stretched Out or “Leggy” Growth
This is called etiolation. It happens when the plant isn’t getting enough light and stretches toward the nearest source. The solution is to provide more direct sunlight. You can also cut off the top rosette, let the cut end callous for a few days, and then replant it in a sunnier spot.
Pests: Mealybugs and Gnats
Mealybugs look like tiny bits of white cotton in the leaf crevices. Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Fungus gnats are small flies that indicate soil is staying wet to long. Let the soil dry out more between waterings, and use sticky traps for the adults.
Propagating Your Orange Succulents
One of the joys of succulents is how easy they are to multiply. You can create new plants from leaves or stem cuttings.
- Choose a Healthy Leaf: Gently twist a plump, healthy leaf from the stem. Try to get a clean break.
- Let it Callous: Place the leaf on dry soil out of direct sun for a few days until the broken end forms a dry film.
- Wait for Roots: Mist the soil lightly every few days. Eventually, tiny pink roots and a new baby plant will appear from the calloused end.
- Plant: Once the mother leaf has withered and the new plant is established, you can pot it up and care for it as usual.
Design Ideas for Display
Orange succulents work wonderfully in many settings. Their warm color creates beautiful contrast.
- Monochromatic Pots: Group several different orange-hued succulents together for a stunning, cohesive look.
- Color Contrast: Pair them with blue or green succulents, like many Senecios or some Echeverias, to make the orange really pop.
- Rock Gardens: They are perfect for sunny, dry rock gardens where their colors complement stones and gravel.
- Table Centerpieces: A shallow dish planted with a variety of orange succulents makes a long-lasting, low-maintenance centerpiece.
Seasonal Considerations
Your succulents needs may change with the seasons. Most go through a dormant period, usually in the peak of summer or the depth of winter, depending on the type. During dormancy, they grow very little and need even less water. This is also when they often show their most intense colors, especially if exposed to cooler temperatures. Hold off on fertilizing or repotting until you see signs of new growth in the active season.
FAQ
Why is my orange succulent turning green?
It’s likely not getting enough direct sunlight. Gradually move it to a brighter location to bring the color back.
Can orange succulents survive indoors?
Absolutely! Just place them in the sunniest window you have, typically facing south or west, and be careful not to overwater.
How often should I fertilize my succulent?
Very sparingly. Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer (made for cacti/succulents if possible) only during the active growing season (spring and summer), about once a month at most. To much fertilizer can cause weak growth.
Are these plants safe for pets?
Many are, but some, like certain Kalanchoes, can be toxic if ingested. It’s always best to check the specific variety and keep plants out of reach of curious pets.
What’s the best way to water a succulent arrangement?
Water the soil directly at the base of each plant until it runs out the bottom. Avoid spraying or misting the leaves, as sitting water can lead to rot.
With there stunning colors and simple needs, orange succulents offer a fantastic way to add warmth and life to your home or garden. By providing plenty of light, careful watering, and the right soil, you can enjoy these vibrant plants for years to come. They truly prove that the most striking plants are often the easiest to care for.