Select Page

We’re so used to seeing green succulents that we’re surprised to know that they come in different colors. There are black, pink, and purple succulents that are naturally colored as such. And aside from them, there are also blue-colored varieties. They are blue not because they’re suffering from overwatering or overexposure to direct sunlight, but because that’s their natural hue. 

Blue succulents are the best foil for different varieties, and they also add a cool vibe to your outdoor space or dish garden. If you want to grow them in your garden or home, read in and learn more about how to make them thrive. 

What Are Blue Succulents

As their name suggests, blue succulents are succulent varieties that have naturally blue leaves and stems. Under the right lighting, watering, and growth conditions, you’ll see their blue color turn more rich and vivid. However, if they’re overwatered and not given enough sunlight, you’ll see their color turn lighter until they become pale green. 

Benefits of Blue Succulents

Succulents can improve the quality of your life. There are many benefits to planting, growing, and maintaining blue succulents. One of these is breaking the monotony of your garden. Your garden may be looking lush with all the greens you’ve been collecting.

A bright blue plant will provide the perfect contrast against the vivid green plants and succulents you have. You can also mix and match them with your vividly colored ground covering succulents, the world’s best black succulents, or premium purple succulents. They will truly bring you joy as they also impress onlookers. 

It’s like a breath of fresh air to your garden. With the different blue succulents gathering in your outdoor garden, you won’t have difficulty calling attention to your landscaped plants and succulents. Because of their deep blue color, they’re relaxing to look at. So when you want to destress and unwind, you can look or work with them and watch your stressors go away. 

How Do Blue Succulents Work

Chlorophyll is an essential part of every plant’s photosynthesis. Aside from that, they are also responsible for bringing the green colors in them. All kinds of plants have to go through photosynthesis to yield the carbohydrates they need to fuel cell production, growth, and other essential drives. So what exactly makes a succulent blue?

Blue succulent varieties have different types of chlorophyll that refract sunlight using a bluish-green tone. When this specific chlorophyll type is added to some pigment variations in the skin, it will yield an overall blue effect to the plant. Therefore, this succulent is usually grafted and hybridized. 

Pros and Cons of Blue Succulents

Pros and Cons of Blue Succulents


  • Since they’re not the usual succulent color you have, they break the monotony of your garden, making it look livelier and more pleasant. 
  • The blue color is not only cool to look at, but it also adds more character to the plant. 
  • They are also easy to grow because, like their green counterparts, they are drought and neglect-resistant.
  • You can grow them even if you’re not a pro at propagating succulents. 


  • Just like their green counterparts, these succulents may be drought and neglect-resistant, but they’re also sensitive to overwatering and exposure to excessive sunlight. 

Types of Blue Succulents

To get to know blue succulents a bit more, here are some of its more common types. 


This type of blue succulent grows best in arid areas of your garden. They are among the most laid-back blue succulent varieties because they have low maintenance and low culture requirements. They grow best in sunny locations, and they will thank you for your hard work in nurturing them through their rich colors. 


This is a huge family of rosette-forming succulents that has a charming leaf and stem structures. They can be differentiated from other succulents because of their smooth and plump leaves. 

Agave Potatorum

This flowering plant species can only grow as high as two feet. They also have sturdy and thick leaves that form a rosette pattern. Its name translates to the phrase ‘of drinkers,’ which explains why this succulent is often used to make alcoholic beverages. 


Aloe is known as a succulent genus with over 500 flowering succulent species. It thrives in tropical climates and is known for its medicinal properties. It’s also rich in vitamins and antioxidants that’s why it can protect your skin. 

Senecio Mandraliscae

Also known as Blue Chalksticks, this blue succulent variety spreads up to seven to 10 centimeters long. It grows its fleshy, finger-like silvery leaves and tiny flowers during summer. 

Echeveria – Blue Waves

This low-growing blue succulent variety has frilly-edged blue-green stems and leaves that make it look unique. They may be drought-tolerant, but they are not hardy to cold and frosty environments. 

Blue Prince

This rosette-forming, attractive, blue succulent plant has bluish-green dark leaves that turn bronze when exposed to the sun. They grow best when they’re soaked and dried in water. 


Because this succulent variety is so easy to take care of, they are often chosen to beautify rock gardens. They are tiny yet attractive plants that were grown after a cross between Sedum and Echeveria.

Agave Tequilana

Types of Blue Succulents

This is a fast-growing blue succulent plant that forms big rosettes of bluish-green and silver-green fleshy leaves. When placed under the sun, they turn red. They can also grow as high as six feet. 


This is a cross between the succulent genus Agave and Manfreda. Because of its hybrid parentage, it shows newer forms and colors and unusual spotting and foliage. 

Requirements for Blue Succulents


Regardless of the genus, species, and breed, all succulents need to be repotted in a container that has great draining capacity. A very good example of these containers is terracotta pots. These pots allow excess water to drain without sitting on the soil. As a result, the roots are protected from rotting. 


Blue succulents are all so sensitive to direct sunlight. So, instead of exposing them under the excruciating heat of the sun, it’s best to position them near a sunny window sill or under the shade. If they’re in your garden, position them under the shade of a bigger plant so that they still get ample sunlight.


The type of potting mix you will use to grow your blue succulents is also important to its survival. First, you need to choose a potting mix that also has a great drainage capacity. As you already know, succulents are sensitive to overwatering. So, if you use the type of soil that absorbs water without draining it, you are letting the succulent roots rot freely. When in doubt, use a cacti potting mix.


As mentioned above, succulents, in general, are sensitive to overwatering. So, take note to only water your plants sparingly, or once every two weeks. 


Though succulents don’t need fertilizers, it won’t hurt if you occasionally feed them with a balanced 15-15-15 fertilizer, diluted fish emulsion, or manure tea. These can make them grow lovelier and lusher. 

Common Issues With Blue Succulents

Common Issues With Blue Succulents


If you overwater your succulent plants, you will see their leaves and stem turn brown and mushy. This means that it absorbed all the excessive water. Its roots will also soon rot, causing the succulent to possibly die. The frequency of watering will solely depend on the succulent variety you’re growing. So, before you take home and take care of one, you need to study and learn its needs. The main point in watering succulents is you only do so sparingly because they’re more tolerant to underwatering than overwatering. 

Poor Drainage

Poor drainage can be a problem coming from the pot and potting mix. As mentioned above, you need to choose a container and potting mix with an excellent drainage capacity. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting the succulent roots to get rotten. 

Poor Lighting

When succulents don’t get enough sunlight, they become leggy, and they etiolate. For blue succulents, you’ll know that your plant is not getting enough sunlight if its color turns pale green. 


Anything more than what’s necessary will always be bad. This principle applies to blue succulents, too. They might love the sun, but too much of it will cause them to develop sunspots or sunburns. To keep this from happening, never expose your plant to direct sunlight. Go for reflected light instead and work hard in preventing sunburnt succulents

How to Grow Blue Succulents 

Step 1 – Gather all your gardening tools

Before you start growing your blue succulent, ensure that all gardening tools you need are within arm’s reach. Prepare your gardening gloves, pot, potting mix, trowel, coffee filter, and watering can. 

Step 2 – Transfer succulent from the nursery bag to the container

When you bring home a new succulent plant, ensure that you take them out of its old container and prepare for the transplant. As you take them out, get your container and lay the coffee filter on its base. This will hold the potting mix, and water gets drained through the container holes. 

Fill half of the container with the right potting mix. Once done, dig a small hole at the center with the use of your trowel. Put the succulent inside that hole and ensure that the plant won’t fall. Once done, add more potting mix to the container until you reach the neck of the pot. 

Step 3 – Decorate and water your plant

You can beautify the pot by adding colored pebbles and stones to the surface. Be creative in coming up with design ideas. Water your plant and put it in its rightful place in your home or garden. 


Dos and Don’ts With Blue Succulents



FAQ About Blue Succulents

Are blue succulents real?

Yes, they’re real. Under the right lighting, watering, and growth conditions, you’ll see their blue color turn more rich and vivid.

Why do succulents turn blue?

There are two kinds of blue succulent: naturally blue and those that don’t get enough sunlight. As for the former, blue succulent varieties have different types of chlorophyll that refract sunlight using a bluish-green tone. When this specific chlorophyll type is added to some pigment variations in the skin, it will yield an overall blue effect to the plant. This succulent is usually grafted and hybridized. Stress is another reason why succulents turn blue. Because they’re not getting enough sunlight, they change in color. 

How do I make my succulents blue?

If they’re naturally blue, all you have to do to reveal their vivid blue color is to take care of them, let them experience the best growth conditions. You can also spray them with an organic fertilizer like the balanced 15-15-15 fertilizer, diluted fish emulsion, or manure tea. If they’re not naturally blue succulents, some varieties turn blue when stressed. 

FAQ About Blue Succulents

How do you take care of a blue rose succulent?

Kindly refer to the section that talks about requirements for blue succulents to get the right answer to this question. 

Do blue chalk sticks flower?

Yes, it does. It grows its fleshy, finger-like silvery leaves and tiny flowers during summer. 

Are blue chalk sticks poisonous?

Yes, they’re reported to be toxic to humans and pets. So, if you’re repotting them, make sure to always wear your garden gloves to avoid any adverse reaction. Also, keep them away from your pets to ensure their safety. 


There are many succulent varieties out there. We have miniature bunny ears succulents, curved leaves of dolphin succulents, and thriving full sunlight succulents. Blue succulents are an addition to these unique looking succulents that will not only add an aesthetic appeal to our houses but can also breathe life into our concrete, solid homes. 

They clean the air we breathe while allowing us to destress while taking care of them. If they offer these benefits to us, it’s just right that we give back to them by ensuring they got all that they need to grow, survive, and thrive. 

Photos from: niekrasova /, firefox /, phuongphoto / and toucanet /