I think Fuzzy succulents are some of the cutest around. Soft and velvety plants are always a hit. Some of my favorite succulents are fuzzy echeveria (especially the echeveria pulv-oliver), fuzzy crassula, fuzzy kalanchoe and more.
Soft succulents prefer their leaves dry so be extra careful when watering. Water on the leaves can harm the foliage by making a magnifying effect when in direct sunlight. The little fine hairs that make up the ‘fuzziness’ can be damaged, leaving the plant exposed to direct sunlight where it can be sunburned. We never want to sunburn our fuzzy succulents.
Water your fuzzy succulents from the bottom up by soaking the pot in a tray of water if possible. They love rain water or filtered water and be sure to keep water off the leaves. If your soft succulent leaves need to be cleaned, brush them with a small, gentle, dry brush (an eye shadow brush is perfect for this).
The Echeveria ‘Doris Taylor’, also known as Woolly Rose succulent, is a popular low-growing, clustering succulent. A hybrid between Echeveria setosa and Echeveria pulvinata ‘Ruby’. Its attractive pale green, hairy leaves produce red tips when exposed to bright sun and or stress.
Learn more Wooley Rose care tips here.
Echeveria Doris Taylor
Fuzzy dark leaves, which can reach to 7 to 8-inches in diameter and 3 to 5-inches tall.
The Echeveria setosa is commonly known as the Mexican firecracker because of its bright blooms. In fact, it is such a beauty that it was awarded the Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. Setosa is a stunning fuzzy succulent that produces stemless rosettes with tons of spoon-shaped leaves.
Read our Echeveria Setosa Care blog post here.
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The Echeveria setosa ‘Arrow’ has long, skinny leaves covered with velvety cilia. Beautiful red tips develop on the ends of the leaves when grown in bright sun which is why its common name is Echeveria Red Velvet. They prefer full to partial sun and this variety is durable and very drought tolerant.
Water these fuzzy succulents regularly during the first growing season to establish a good root system.
Rosettes stay fairly small and it is a great variety for succulent arrangements, flower beds, and rock gardens. In spring and early summer look for red and yellow blooms. It is not cold hardy (30F), but is easy to propagate and pet safe.
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Echeveria setosa 'Rundelli'
The Echeveria setosa ‘Rundelli’ is a rosette-forming succulent with oval shaped fleshy leaves that are covered in fuzzy white hairs. It is also commonly called Mexican Hens and Chicks.
Look for the cutest bell-shaped blooms in spring that range from orange to red with yellow tips on this fuzzy succulent. This beauty is perfect for succulent arrangements, flower beds or borders. Propagation by pups or off-shoots is easy!
Echeveria setosa var. Deminuta
The Echeveria setosa var. Deminuta is a stunning evergreen succulent that grows in thick clusters of sky blue-green with club shaped leaves. Foliage is covered in white bristles that turn into tufts on the tips. It is known for its bright red and yellow flowers and that is why it is commonly called the “Firecracker Plant”.
Water Echeveria setosa var. Deminuta regularly during the first growing season to establish a good root system. This beauty is excellent for containers, windowsills and in rock gardens, however not cold hardy. Fuzzy succulents always make the perfect addition!
Echeveria setosa 'Rose & Purpus'
The Echeveria setosa ‘Rose & Purpus’ also known as Mexican Firecracker or Rose & J.A. Purpose is cute and furry, glistening white stiff short hairs. It produces rosette succulents freely giving off offsets from the base and readily forming dense mounds.
FUZZY SUCCULENTS
Sempervivum arachnoideum ssp.tomentosum
The Sempervivum arachnoideum ssp. tomentosum is one of the easiest plants to grow. Also known as Hen-and-chicks, these fuzzy succulents tolerate heat, drought and neglect. They do well in rock gardens, container gardens of all types, rooftop gardens and rock walls.
Hundreds of varieties exist. All types form a low cushion or carpet of fleshy leaves, tiny new plants appearing in a circle around the mother in the middle. Typically after flowering, the mother rosette dies to leave room for the new chicks.
Echeveria coccinea
The Echeveria coccinea (pronounced ech-eh-VER-ee-a Kok-SIN-ee-uh) is known as Red Echeveria, Scarlet Pussy, or Conchita Escarlata. This is a semi-sprawling, shrubby succulent. It grows up to 2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide.
Wide branched stems holding rosettes of up to 4 inches long. Blue-green leaves are covered in silver hairs and sometimes tinged red along the margins.
From late winter into spring look for relatively large reddish-orange flowers with bright yellow stamens on up to a 1 foot tall, leafy inflorescence. Latin “coccineus” means deep red, referring to the red flowers.
Echeveria coccinea was the first Echeveria to arrive in Europe around 1790. E. coccinea is easily recognizable by the long bract subtending each flower and conspicuously exceeding the corolla.
Echeveria coccinea 'Recurvata'
The Echeveria coccinea ‘Recurvata’ is native to Mexico and is an erect plant with fluffy and curved leaves. It prefers full to partial sun and produces beautiful orange flowers.
Although they are fairly drought tolerant, they will become more spectacular with regular deep watering and fertilizing. The hybrids tend to be less tolerant of frost and shade. In temperate climates, most species will lose their lower leaves in winter and become ‘leggy’ and less attractive.
As with some of the other velvety-leaved succulents, the echeveria coccinea is a branching species that rapidly develops woody stems. Pruning this beauty back can keep it from getting too leggy. Plants grown in the ground in full sun can form attractive, low-growing shrubs that grow up to several feet wide.
Echeveria Pulvinata
The Echeveria pulvinata pronounced ech-eh-VER-ee-a pul-vin-AH-tuh is a hybrid plant named for Athanasio Echeverria Godoy. Pulvinata refers to its cushion-like leaves.
It is also known as Red Velvet or Red Velvet Plush Plant and has softly hairy stems and chubby leaves. The species is from Mexico but this particular cultivar originated in California.
Echeveria Pulvinata 'Ruby'
The Echeveria pulvinata ‘Ruby’ is known as the Red Velvet Plush, Chenille Plant, ‘Ruby’ Chenille Plant, Ruby Blush, Ruby Slippers, or Red Velvet because it has a crimson, velvety coating to protect it from the intense sun of its rocky habitats.
Native to Oaxaca, Mexico and a true sun-loving plant. It needs protection from hard frosts, but a little bit of environmental stress like direct sun and temperatures just above freezing bring out the brightest reds along leaf margins.
It usually blooms in winter by sending up flower stalks covered with orange, bell-shaped flowers.
The rosettes will stay fairly small but the fuzzy stems beneath them will continue to branch and grow up to 10″ long.
Echeveria pulvinata 'Ruby Blush'
The Echeveria pulvinata ‘Ruby Blush’ pronounced [ech-eh-VER-ee-a] [pul-vin-AH-tuh] develops develop tinges of red along the leaf margins from environmental stresses such as high heat, low heat or tremendous amounts of direct sunlight causes.
Echeveria pulvinata 'Frosty'
The Echeveria pulvinata ‘Frosty is commonly known as White Chenille Plant. It has very pale green, almost whitish leaves which are covered in tiny hairs. These velvety soft hairs help protect the succulent from intense sun in its native rocky habitat of Mexico.
This succulent is pretty heavy bloomer in winter and it produces up to 20 orange bell-shaped flowers at one time. Despite the name “frosty” it does need protection from frost. Propagating the white chenille plant is easy through stem cuttings.
Echeveria ‘Pulv-Oliver’ - Red Echeveria
The Echeveria ‘Pulv-oliver’ pronounced ech-eh-VER-ee-a is also known as Red Echeveria. It is a hybrid between Echeveria pulvinata and Echeveria harmsii.
This cute succulent has fuzzy red-tipped green leaves. The reddish tint appears on the edges when they are exposed to more sun. These leaves cluster at the ends of the branches to form a rosette. Large flowers appear in late spring and summer and bloom in shades of orange and yellow.
Echeveria harmsii
The Echeveria harmsii (pronounced harms-zee-eye) also known as the Plush Plant is a Mexican native. Its green leaves have a tinge of pink at their tips. In spring look for bright orange, urn-shaped flowers with yellow throats. Does best outside in hardiness zones 11a and above.
Echeveria harmsii 'Ruby Slippers'
The Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ is another wonderfully fuzzy-leaved species that has striking colors in times of stress (if not watered excessively, that can be nearly all the time). Leaves are blue-green and are tipped with various shades of red, pink, orange and even purple. Like some other fuzzy-leaved species, this one can get leggy and need to be pruned back yearly.
Echeveria ‘Pulv-Oliver’
The Echeveria ‘Pulv-Oliver’ is a hybrid between the Echeveria pulvinata and Echeveria harmsii. This cute succulent has fuzzy red-tipped greenish-grey leaves. The reddish tint appears on the edges when they are exposed to more sun. These leaves cluster at the ends of the branches to form a rosette.
In late spring or summer look for large blooms that are orange and yellow on these fuzzy succulents. The hairy, light green leaves with red tips cluster at the ends of the branches on this Echeveria.
Pulv-oliver can grow to about 8-10 inches tall. It prefers full sun to light shade, but it will get its best color in full sun. This low maintenance succulent is drought tolerant and prefers a well draining soil. Cold hardy to about 15-20 degrees F.
How do you tell the difference between Echeveria harmsii, Echeveria pulvinata and Echeveria Doris Taylor?
E. harmsii has shorter leaves; red flowers with yellow tips. E. pulvinata has reddish flowers, more of reddish hair on leaves. Doris Taylor offsets more, leaves are more green, wider and thicker. Flowers are yellow inside with some red & yellow shading outside.
FUZZY SUCCULENTS
Kalanchoe orgyalis Copper Spoons
Copper Spoons (Kalanchoe orgyalis) This two-toned stemmed variety has velvety, copper oval-shaped leaves on top and silver underneath. As leaves age, they turn completely silver. This succulent is from a native rocky habitat in Madagascar. Copper Spoons produce clusters of pretty yellow blossoms in late winter to spring.
Kalanchoe hildebrandtii “Silver Teaspoons”
The Kalanchoe hildebrandtii plants are native to Madagascar and are a fast-growing succulent. Luminescent silvery white leaves have a fuzzy, felt-like texture. These plants are perfect to add height and color contrast to any succulent arrangement.
Hildebrantii thrives in full sun to bright shade and love morning sun. Protect these beauties from frost (28 F) and be sure to bring indoors if kept outside in cold winter temperatures. Water only when soil is thoroughly dry.
Kalanchoe hildebrandtii are very similar to Kalanchoe bracteata, which are also known as “Silver Teaspoons”. They are commonly mistaken for each other and can be differentiated by the flowers they produce.
Bracteatas produce red to orange bell-shaped blooms and Kalanchoe hildebrandtii have white to pale green flowers.
Kalanchoe tomentosa
The Kalanchoe tomentosa pronounced kal-un-KOH-ee to-MEN-tosa is native to Madagascar and best known as the Panda Plant, Donkey Ears, and sometimes referred to as Pussy Ears, as the soft leaves look similar to cat ears. The velvety, silvery-green leaves are covered in tiny hairs and grow thick for water storage purposes, which makes this an excellent drought tolerant fuzzy succulent.
“Tomentosa” refers to the fuzzy, felt-like coating of hairs that covers the whole plant and helps it survive dry, sunny conditions. On top of the velvet-like look, the tips are rimmed with dark-brownish red edges. It is an easy succulent species to care for and maintain, and is easily propagated by leaf or stem cuttings.
To grow the panda plant outdoors, it is best in USDA hardiness zone 9a and above. It also does well as an indoor plant. Kalanchoe Tomentosa prefers full sun to partial shade and prefers morning or late afternoon sun. Be sure to protect it from intense afternoon rays and from your dogs and cats as it has been found to be toxic to pets.
‘Chocolate Soldier’ is a cinnamon brown cultivar of the well-loved Panda Plant from Madagascar. This stemmed variety has long, upright leaves that range in color from rusty red to silvery green with spots of chocolate brown dotting the leaf edges. Spring blooms are maroon to copper and have the same fuzzy coating as the rest of the plant.
Buy it: Fat Plants
Kalanchoe eriophylla
The Kalanchoe eriophylla is commonly known as the “Snow White Panda Plant” and is one of the wooliest of all the fuzzy succulents. This beautiful succulent is covered in white-haired leaves and is often mistaken for Kalanchoe pumila.
Native to Madagascar, the Kalanchoe eriophylla looks great as ground cover. Look out for blooms in winter and spring that are a pretty pale pink on this fuzzy succulent.
The Kalanchoe beharensis, pronounced kal-un-KOH-ee be-HAIR-en-sis, is a slow-growing succulent type. The word “beharensis” refers to the succulent’s native region of Behara in South Madagascar. It is commonly know as Elephant’s Ears Kalanchoe, Velvet Leaf plant, and Felt Bush. One of my favorite fuzzy succulents.
The Kalanchoe beharensis ‘Fang’ is also known as Felt Plant, Felt Bush, Stalactite Plant ‘Fang’, and Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe.
Its fang-like texture would make a stunning contract plant to any succulent arrangement, flowerbed, or container.
The Cotyledon tomentosa also known as the bear’s paw is one of the cutest little fuzzy succulent around. The bright green leaves have bits or reddish-brown teeth along the edges of the leaves which resemble the claws of bears. They prefer regular deep watering in summer which is its active growing season.
Buy it: Succulents Box Store
The Cotyledon tomentosa ‘Bear’s Paw’ variegata is a dwarf shrublet with green and cream variegated leaves. Its foliage is thick, ovate, and hairy. Little, dull teeth line the edges of each leaf, and they often turn pinkish-red when exposed to increased light and/or other stressors. These fuzzy succulent leaves are what give them their nickname, “Bear’s Paw.” Bell-shaped flowers bloom in growing months, and typically blush reddish-orange to yellow.
Buy it: DH7 Enterprise Store
Crassula lanuginosa var. pachystemon 'David'
The Crassula David (pronounced KRASS-oo-la) is a thick and low growing succulent with fleshy, bright green, coin shaped leaves. This is a carpet forming, vigorous, green plant makes an ideal wall or basket succulent. It grows in clusters with dense foliage and will only grow about 2 inches in height. The leaves are covered with very fine hairs at the edge and underneath the leaves.
This miniature Crassula variety is named after David Cumming who found & collected the variety from South Africa in the 1980’s. A pretty rare succulent, but quite easy to grow. Keep it dry and in full sun to maintain compact growth. It can turn a beautiful purple/red color when exposed to full sun, throughout winter, or when stressed.
The Adromischus cristatus (pronounced Add-drom-miss-cus Criss-tuh-tus) is best known as the Crinkle Leaf Plant and sometimes called the Key Lime Pie Plant. Its grey-green foliage is plump and wedge shaped with wavy ends. A light coating of short fine hairs don this beauty.
It is the easiest variety to grow of the Adromischus genus which includes many exotic beauties and tends to need a bit less water than other succulents. Make a perfect addition to any beach themed planter and it will grow up to 6 inches in height.
Buy it: Seeding
FUZZY SUCCULENTS
The Senecio haworthii (pronounced Suh·nee·see·oh Haw-wur-thee-eye) is commonly called Woolly Senecio, Kleinia tomentosa, or Cocoon Plant. It is the purest white among the Senecio species. This South African native is a dwarf shrub with curved, chunky leaves covered with a thick powdery wool.
Yellow, pom pom shaped flowers are rare, but it can produce blooms. Over time it can grow tall, leggy stems, but it re-roots easily from stem cuttings. Plant in full sun in an open airy location with well-draining soil and water sparingly. Allow soil to dry out in between watering as it is susceptible to root rot if given too much water or shade. Keep this fuzzy succulent drier in winter months and it is cold hardy to 25-30 degrees F.
The plant is called “tontelbos” in Afrikaans which means “tinder bush”. This is because its leaves are densely felted and can be stripped off, dried, and used as tinder. Keep in mind this plant will usually darken towards the base of the stem as it grows, which is totally normal.
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The Senecio medley-woodii pronounced [suh·nee·see·oh] medley [wood-ee-eye] is native to semi-tropical areas of Africa, a species of the genus Senecio and family Asteraceae. A fuzzy succulent shrub with thick stems covered in white felt and oval shovel-shaped leaves. Dark green foliage is drought-deciduous with densely felted white wool, which gives it a silvery appearance. This succulent has an upright growth habit when young, then as it gets older it tends to sprawl.
Prefers full to partial sun (40 to 95 degrees) and prefers cool and humid-less conditions to maintain a beautiful pelt. Be sure to let it completely dry out in between thorough watering. In winter months water less and protect from frost. Porous soil with adequate drainage is best. It can grow 15 to 18 inches tall if staked and propagates happily from cuttings.
In winter look for bright yellow, daisy-like blooms with orange and yellow disks. This succulent makes an excellent potted plant underplanted with Haworthias and small Crassulas, or can be planted in a succulent or rock garden.
Senecio is the largest genus of flowering plants, with over 2000 species globally, and 300 in South Africa. The word senecio is derived from the Latin word “senex”, meaning old man, referring to the greyish white hairy pappus, which aids in seed dispersal. Named after John Medley Wood (1827-1915), a famous botanist.
The Jacobaea maritima, pronounced [jake-koh-BAY-ee-uh] [muh-rit-eye-muh] is commonly known as silver ragwort or dusty miller, and formerly known as Senecio cineraria pronounced [suh·nee·see·oh][sinner·rare·ree·uh]. A perennial plant species in the genus Jacobaea in the family Asteraceae, but was formerly placed in the genus Senecio, and is still widely referred to as Senecio cineraria.
Native to the Mediterranean region, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its white, woolly-white, felt-like foliage.
Heat and drought tolerant growing 1.5 – 3.5 feet tall. Stems are stiff and woody at the base, covered in long, matted grey-white hairs. Flowers are yellow, daisy-like, with central disc florets surrounded by a ring of 10–13 ray florets.
Buy it: Kauai Garden
The Tradescantia sillamontana (pronounced trad-es-KAN-tee-uh See-yuh-MON-tah-nuh) is commonly known as Cobweb Spiderwort, White Velvet or White Gossamer Plant. Named in reference to the plant’s surface that is covered entirely in dense cobweb-like hairs.
Learn more about Tradescantia sillamontana care here.
The Stachys byzantina (pronounced STAY-keys Biz-ann-TEE-nuh) is commonly called Lamb’s ears. In fact, this plant is known for having the softest leaves in the world. Although not a succulent, they are one of cutest fuzzy plants around.
Learn more about Lamb’s ear care here.
Buy it: Pixie’s Gardens
The Cyanotis somaliensis (pronounced Sy-an-NOH-tiss Soh-mal-ee-en-sis) is commonly called pussy ears or kitten ears plant. This easy-care houseplant is native to Somalia, hence the name “somaliensis’.
Learn more about Kitten ears plant here.
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FUZZY SUCCULENTS
Cyanotis kewensis "Teddy Bear Vine"
The Cyanotis kewensis is pronounced Sy-an-NOH-tiss Kew-EN-sis. It is part of the Commelinaceae (ko-mel-ih-NAY-see-ee) family and species is beddomei (BED-oh-my). Commonly known as Teddy Bear Vine because its trailing stems that have fuzzy, tear-drop-shaped, chocolate-brown leaves.
Learn more about Teddy Bear Vine here.
The Crassula Congesta Green Beans has adorable chubby oval foliage that are soft and velvety. Leaves look like little green beans, hence its common name. A light coating of wax appears when grown in bright light.
Learn more about Crassula congesta care here.
Buy it: Succulents Box Store
The Crassula mesembryanthemoides ‘Tenelli’ has long, slender leaves covered with a frosted velvety appearance. This unique succulent adds the perfect texture to any succulent arrangement. Flowers bloom in clusters of red flowers.
Buy it: Succulents Box Store
The Crassula mesembryanthemoides is a succulent subshrub from South Africa with fuzzy green leaves with soft bristle-like hairs. Its stems can grow about a foot tall and turn woody over time. The scientific name of this plant is Crassula Mesembryanthemoides Subsp.
The Delosperma echinatum is commonly known as the Hedgehog Ice plant, Pickle Plant, or Pickle Cactus. Both the stems and leaves are covered with spiny white hairs. Look for soft, yellow flowers in spring and summer.
Read our post on Pickle Plant Care here.
Buy it: Hirt’s Garden Store
Sedum hintonii
The Sedum hintonii (pronounced SEE-dum HIN-ton-ee-eye) is one of the most beautiful sedums of all. It is best distinguished by the dense mat covering of white hairs on all its stems, leaves and sepals (sepp-ulls). A slow grower, growing up to 8 inches tall with prostrate growing rhizomes.
Hintonii forms dense rosettes bearing tiny egg-shaped leaves, densely covered with little white hairs. In winter look for little white flowers (in Mexico they bloom in April).
FUZZY SUCCULENTS
Mammillaria elongata Cristata
The Mammillaria elongata Cristata or Brain Cactus is a fascinating fuzzy succulent. Albeit with a very descriptive name. One of the many species of Mammillaria, it is an easy to grow cactus which often produces lovely little blooms. A great houseplant or outdoor specimen in warmer climates.
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