The United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map is used by farmers and gardeners to determine the average, or the range, of the annual minimum winter temperature of different regions of the country. This map is divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones.
Succulents that thrive in hardiness zone 9 do well in dry climates that have long summers and high temperatures. These plants can tolerate cold temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
States in the U. S. that typically belong to this hardiness zone are Arizona, Florida and California.
In this article, we will discuss some of the succulents that can thrive in hardiness zone 9, so if you want to know what these plants are, then keep reading.
Best succulents for zone 9
1. Aeonium
Aeoniums comprise over 30 different species that have waxy or glossy leaves that grow in a rosette.
These succulents can be as small as a few inches wide, or as large as several feet wide, depending on the variety.
They produce small, star-shaped flowers, arranged in clusters that grow from the middle of the rosette. It may take these plants up to five years before they start producing flowers. Most of these mature plants will die after blooming but do not worry because they will continue to produce shoots, or pups, even after the mother plant has died.
Aeoniums do best in a Mediterranean climate, meaning weather that is neither too hot nor too cold, and neither too dry nor too wet. In terms of US hardiness zones, they do best in zones 9 to 11.
Examples of aeoniums that do well in zone 9 are Aeonium Luteovariegatum, Kiwi, Suncup, Black rose, Lily Pad, Mardi Gras, and Sunburst.
2. Cactus
Cacti are slow-growing, blooming succulents, of which there are over a thousand varieties around the world. They come in a wide array of sizes and shapes; the smaller ones work best planted in pots and containers indoors, while the larger cacti that can reach several feet tall are better off planted outdoors where their size is not restricted by limited space.
During a cactus’ active growth period, it prefers temperatures that are on the higher end; anywhere between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, meanwhile, they are fine with temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that, although deserts can get quite chilly during the evenings, you cannot just leave your cactus outside in the frost.
Examples of cacti that do well in hardiness zone 9 include the Echinopsis, Dwarf Chin, Golden Barrel, Pine Cone, Corn Cob, Hedgehog, Thimble and Powder Puff cacti.
3. Senecio
There are over 1,000 different types of Senecio all over the world. These species include expensive, highly-coveted garden perennials, as well as weed-like plants.
A hundred of these species are considered garden plants, or those that can be grown in pots or containers. Most of these plants are toxic to animals, so make sure you keep them out of your pet’s reach to be safe.
Many senecio varieties are used as ground covers because of the way they trail, while others resemble shrubs.
Senecio flowers grow in clusters on long stems and look like yellow daisies.
Senecios grow in hardiness zone 9 to 12. They are heat-tolerant and are fine with short periods of cold, but prolonged exposure may kill them.
Examples of senecios that do well in zone 9 are string of bananas, string of dolphins, string of pearls, Senecio haworthii, Senecio Silver Corral, blue chalk sticks and the candle plant.
4. Sempervivum
Sempervivum succulents like to grow in gritty, rocky soil, in hot, dry weather.
They are low-maintenance plants and can thrive in many different growing conditions.
The leaves of these succulents grow in a rosette formation and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They like to grow low to the ground and to get lots of sun.
Make sure you plant them in a well-draining soil mix so that they do not become overwatered.
Many sempervivum varieties produce flowers that are yellow, red, pink or green.
These plants prefer a climate with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperatures go any lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant may stop growing or become semi-dormant, and could even die.
Examples of sempervivums that do well in zone 9 are Sempervivum Terracotta Baby, Corsair, Rita Jane, Greenii, Eddy and Fashion Diva.
5. Sedum
Sedum plants are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They can either grow low to the ground as cover, or they can be upright and form clumps that would make great borders in your garden.
These plants look great even into winter, but make sure that they always get enough light because otherwise they might become leggy. If this happens, you can always prune the leggy parts back.
There are some sedum varieties that may not do that well in zone 9, but generally speaking, these plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Just make sure that the temperatures do not exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, because then their leaves may get scorched.
Examples of sedums that do well in zone 9 are the Green Jelly Bean, Sunsparkler, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Sieboldii, Little Missy, Little Gem, White Diamond, Major and Minor sedums.
6. Kalanchoe
The Kalanchoe genus comprises more than one hundred plants. These plants thrive in arid environments and are some of the easiest-to-grow succulents, requiring very little care and attention.
They also have some very unique-looking foliage, which is another reason people love collecting them.
Kalanchoes are slow-growing plants that take about two to five years to fully mature.
Their leaves can come in white, yellow, pink and red. Make sure you give them enough light so that they are able to bloom regularly.
These plants are toxic to dogs and cats, so make sure to keep them out of your pets’ reach to keep them safe.
Examples of kalanchoe varieties that do well in hardiness zone 9 are Kalanchoe manginii, porphyro calyx, beharensis and pinnata.
7. Echeveria
Echeverias are some of the most popular succulents the world over. Their leaves form a beautiful, symmetrical rosette shape which makes them a great choice for decor.
They can be a few inches tall, or up to a foot tall, and are great outdoor and indoor plants.
Echeverias like bright environments that are dry most of the time, and they are fine with being neglected for short periods.
They do not do well in cold temperatures, and even simple exposure to cold drafts can be enough to affect their growth.
If you are growing your echeveria indoors, the typical room temperature and humidity inside most homes is good enough for these plants.
In zone 9 areas, you can grow echeverias outside with minimal problems, but if you live in a place where the winters are particularly brutal, the plants may be better off in a pot that you can take indoors when the freeze threatens.
Examples of echeverias that do well in zone 9 are Echeveria Blue Fairy, White Rose, Minima, Gray Curl,Topsy Turvy, Culibra, Violet Queen and Black Prince.
8. Crassula
Crassulas are very popular because of how low-maintenance and easy to grow they are. They come in a variety of textures and shapes and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
The most popular crassula plant is Crassula ovata, or the jade plant. These plants are slow-growers that can be toxic to animals. Make sure you keep the plant away from your pets’ reach as it can be detrimental to their health if ingested.
You can grow crassulas outdoors in hardiness zone 9 areas, but if you live in an area where winters can go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, your crassulas may be better off planted in containers or pots and simply brought indoors when the frost comes.
There may be varieties of crassulas that can survive short periods of cold weather, but too much cold weather can kill them.
Examples of crassulas that do well in zone 9 are the Pagoda Village, Giant Watch Chain, Ruffle Jade, Hummel’s Sunset, Springtime, Gollum Jade, Tiger Jade and Devil’s Horns.
9. Cotyledon
These shrub-like succulents have over two dozen different varieties and produce tubular flowers.
They thrive in warm, dry climates, but they are able to tolerate a certain level of cold; just not extended exposure to low temperatures because this can lead to the death of the plant.
If you live in a place where winters can go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, plant your cotyledon in a container or a pot so that you can easily transfer it indoors when the need arises.
These plants are toxic to animals, so make sure you keep them away from your pets for their safety.
Cotyledon species that do well in hardiness zone 9 are the Gray Sticks, Pig’s Ear, Cotyledon pendens, and the Bear’s Paw.
Conclusion
Plants that thrive in hardiness zone 9 are those that do well in long, dry summers with high temperatures. These succulents can also tolerate cold temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Any of the succulents listed above can be mixed and matched to be grown either indoors or outdoors if you live in a region included in zone 9. It is completely up to you how you design your garden, because there is an abundance of succulent types that can thrive in this climate.
