Succulents are perfect for New Zealand homes — they’re hardy, low-maintenance, and thrive in bright indoor spots or sheltered outdoor spaces. Here’s a guide to the top 7 succulents you can easily order online and grow successfully in NZ’s climate.
Other names: American Aloe, Century Plant
Best for: Bright indoor spots or sheltered patios
NZ Suitability: Can be grown outside in frost-free areas (minimum -9°C), but generally best indoors.
Needs at least 5 hours of direct sun in summer; place near a bright south-facing window in winter.
Prefers warm temps (21–32°C) in summer; keep cool but above freezing in winter.
Slow grower; repot every few years.
Avoid overwatering — use sandy soil and let it dry out between watering.
Caution: Sap can irritate skin.
🌿 Top Pick for NZ: A. victoriae-reginae — compact, spiny-leaved, and tolerates lower light.
Other names: Burn Plant
Best for: Kitchens and sunny indoor spaces
NZ Suitability: Excellent indoor plant year-round; can be moved outside in summer.
Famous for its healing sap — ideal for burns.
Likes bright light from east/south window.
Thrives in 18–24°C, and tolerates cooler winter rest.
Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall, reduce water in winter.
Repot every other year; propagate from pups (offsets).
🌿 Top Pick for NZ: Keep near the kitchen — it’s useful and attractive!
Other names: Money Plant
Best for: Indoor windowsills or sheltered patios
NZ Suitability: Grows well indoors or outdoors in frost-free areas
Needs filtered sun for at least 4 hours daily.
Likes 18–24°C, and benefits from a cooler winter rest to encourage blooms.
Allow soil to almost dry between waterings.
Repot yearly when young; every 2–3 years when mature.
Can live indefinitely with proper care.
🌿 Display Tip for NZ: Perfect for sunny offices and homes — adds a treelike look to your room.
Other names: Hen and Chicks
Best for: Sunny windowsills or mixed succulent bowls
NZ Suitability: Indoor plant in most regions; can go outside in warm, frost-free weather.
Loves bright light year-round, with direct summer sun.
Needs 18–27°C in summer; cooler (13–24°C) in winter.
Water when soil feels dry; avoid soggy soil.
Repot every 2 years or if outgrowing pots.
Easy to propagate from offsets.
🌿 Top Pick for NZ: Choose colourful hybrids like ‘Painted Lady’ or ‘Wavy Curls’ to brighten windowsills.
Best for: Statement piece in succulent bowls
NZ Suitability: Indoors in cooler regions; outside in warm, frost-free areas.
Needs partial sun in spring to fall, strong south-facing light in winter.
Likes 21–32°C in summer; tolerates 18–24°C in winter.
Keep lightly moist in summer, dry in winter.
Repot every 2–3 years; shallow roots suit small, wide containers.
Known for unique leaf “teeth” — great talking point!
🌿 Display Tip for NZ: Looks amazing in a mixed succulent dish garden.
Best for: Small indoor spaces, sunny windows, or teacup containers
NZ Suitability: Ideal for indoor growing across all of New Zealand
Needs bright indirect light year-round.
Slowly adjust to sun if placing outside in summer.
Likes warm temps (21–27°C) from late spring to fall; rests in cool winter (around 16°C).
Very low maintenance — needs minimal water and tolerates neglect.
Use well-draining cactus soil with added sand.
Repot every year or two to refresh roots and soil.
Perfect for tiny containers and dish gardens with other succulents.
🌿 Top Pick for NZ: Choose a few different varieties for a small succulent collection on your windowsill.
Other names: Bead Plant
Best for: Hanging baskets or wide bowls for trailing effect
NZ Suitability: Thrives indoors with good light; may go outdoors in warm areas
Needs 2–4 hours of direct sun year-round (ideally near a window).
Prefers warm temps (21–27°C) and a cool winter rest (13–16°C).
Keep soil lightly moist, but let dry out between waterings in winter.
Repot annually or every 2 years; propagate by snipping and rooting stems.
Looks amazing spilling out of a pot or basket — very decorative and fast-growing.
🌿 Display Tip for NZ: Works beautifully in a hanging pot in a bright kitchen or living room.
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