Perennial succulents are a powerful answer to the challenges of water conservation and weed control in arid landscapes. These resilient plants are designed to store water efficiently, reducing the need for frequent irrigation, while their dense growth habit naturally suppresses weeds, making them a smart choice for low-maintenance, eco-friendly gardening.
These 15 perennial succulents can help transform any garden into a water-wise, weed-resistant oasis.
1. Blue Spruce Stonecrop (Sedum reflexum)
Sedum ‘Blue Spruce’ is a captivating ground cover that forms a dense mat of blue-green foliage. Its needle-like leaves create a carpet effect, effectively smothering weeds. In late summer, it produces clusters of tiny pink flowers that attract pollinators.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 3-9
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 4-6 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide
- Water needs: Low
2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe vera is a versatile succulent known for its medicinal properties and striking appearance. Its thick, fleshy leaves form rosettes that spread over time, creating a natural barrier against weeds.
This hardy plant is perfect for xeriscaping and adds a touch of exotic beauty to any dry garden.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 8-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Sandy, well-draining
- Mature size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
- Water needs: Low
3. Black Prince Echeveria (Echeveria ‘Black Prince’)
‘Black Prince’ is a stunning rosette-forming succulent with deep purple-black leaves. Its compact growth habit and ability to produce offsets make it an excellent choice for filling in spaces and preventing weed growth.
The contrasting red flowers that appear in winter add a pop of color to the garden.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, gritty
- Mature size: 3-6 inches tall, 6-8 inches wide
- Water needs: Low
4. Red Rubin Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum ‘Red Rubin’)
‘Red Rubin’ is a cold-hardy succulent that forms tight clusters of rosettes. Its vibrant red leaves create a striking ground cover that effectively suppresses weeds. This low-growing plant is perfect for rock gardens and can even thrive in small crevices.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 3-8
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 4-6 inches tall, 6-12 inches wide
- Water needs: Very low
5. Whale’s Tongue Agave (Agave ovatifolia)
Whale’s Tongue Agave is a large, architectural succulent that makes a bold statement in dry gardens. Its broad, blue-gray leaves form a massive rosette that can reach up to 5 feet wide, effectively shading out weeds.
This slow-growing plant is perfect as a focal point in xeriscapes.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 7-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 3-4 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Water needs: Very low
6. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
Ice Plant is a fast-growing ground cover that blankets the soil with succulent foliage. Its vibrant purple flowers bloom profusely throughout summer, creating a colorful carpet that smothers weeds.
This drought-tolerant plant is excellent for slopes and rocky areas.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 6-10
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 3-6 inches tall, 24-36 inches wide
- Water needs: Low
7. Gopher Plant (Euphorbia rigida)
The Gopher Plant is a striking succulent with blue-gray foliage and bright yellow bracts in spring. Its upright growth habit and spreading nature make it an excellent weed suppressor.
This drought-tolerant plant adds architectural interest to dry gardens and is deer-resistant.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 7-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
- Water needs: Very low
8. Golden Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
‘Angelina’ is a low-growing succulent with needle-like, golden-yellow foliage. Its dense, spreading habit creates a weed-resistant mat that turns orange in fall.
This versatile plant is perfect for rock gardens, green roofs, and as a ground cover in dry areas.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 3-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 4-6 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide
- Water needs: Low
9. Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia compressa)
Eastern Prickly Pear is a hardy cactus native to North America. Its flat, paddle-shaped pads form dense clumps that effectively crowd out weeds. This low-maintenance plant produces beautiful yellow flowers in summer, followed by edible fruits.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 4-9
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, 36-48 inches wide
- Water needs: Very low
10. Adam’s Needle (Yucca filamentosa)
Adam’s Needle is a striking evergreen succulent with sword-like leaves. Its robust growth and spreading habit make it an excellent weed suppressor. In summer, tall spikes of white, bell-like flowers add vertical interest to the garden.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 4-10
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or clay
- Mature size: 2-3 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Water needs: Low
11. Letizia Sedeveria (Sedeveria ‘Letizia’)
‘Letizia’ is a charming hybrid succulent that forms tight rosettes of pointed, blue-green leaves. Its compact growth and ability to produce offsets make it an effective ground cover for suppressing weeds.
The copper-red leaf tips add a splash of color to dry gardens.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, gritty
- Mature size: 6-8 inches tall and wide
- Water needs: Low
12. Elephant’s Food (Portulacaria afra)
Elephant’s Food is a versatile succulent with small, round leaves on reddish stems. Its dense, shrub-like growth habit makes it an excellent choice for creating living walls or hedges that block weeds. This fast-growing plant is also great for bonsai and can be easily pruned to maintain shape.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall and wide (can be kept smaller with pruning)
- Water needs: Low
13. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade Plant is a popular succulent with thick, oval leaves. Its shrub-like growth and ability to form a dense canopy make it effective at shading out weeds.
This long-lived plant can grow quite large over time, becoming a striking focal point in dry gardens.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 10-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy
- Mature size: 3-6 feet tall and wide
- Water needs: Low
14. Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)
Blue Chalk Sticks is a striking succulent ground cover with blue-gray, finger-like leaves. Its spreading habit creates a dense mat that effectively smothers weeds.
This drought-tolerant plant adds a unique texture and color to dry gardens and pairs well with other succulents.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 10-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or rocky
- Mature size: 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
- Water needs: Low
15. Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Flaming Katy is a colorful succulent known for its long-lasting blooms. Its dense growth habit and ability to spread make it an effective weed suppressor in dry gardens. Available in a variety of flower colors, this plant adds a vibrant touch to xeriscapes.
Planting guide:
- USDA Zones: 10-11
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil type: Well-draining, sandy or loamy
- Mature size: 6-18 inches tall and wide
- Water needs: Low
These 15 perennial succulents offer an elegant solution for creating beautiful, low-maintenance dry gardens that naturally combat weed growth. By incorporating these drought-tolerant beauties into your garden, you’ll not only save time and water but also create a stunning, eco-friendly oasis that thrives in challenging conditions.
Don’t Miss These:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.