Succulents are well-loved for their signature shade of desert green, but did you know they can also transform into a variety of other striking colors? Even though they are best known for their water-packed green leaves, certain factors can cause them to naturally turn purple!
Some species of succulents simply have fewer chlorophyll molecules (the naturally occurring pigment that makes plants green!) As a result, some perfectly healthy succulent species can reveal shades of white, pink, red, purple, and even blue.
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So, whether you want to add a pop of purple to your garden or are simply interested in the magnificence of unique plants, here are 15 low-maintenance purple succulents that will add a splash of color to any garden or indoor grow space.
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart, also known as the Purple Queen, is a popular species of succulent plant. It has emerald-green lanceolate leaves with purple-tinged tips that appear to rise in a spiral pattern from long purple stems! When kept outdoors in the Summer months, this well-loved plant blooms with bright pink and purple flowers. Indoors, it prefers to be kept in a spot with plenty of natural light.
The Purple Heart is one of the rare succulent species that actually enjoys moist soil, so plant collectors who like to water their plants may appreciate this succulent. Because of its resilience in both indoor and outdoor environments as well as its vivid purple coloration, the Purple Heart succulent is the star of any garden.
Royal Flush
The Royal Flush is an unusual ‘Split Rock’ species of succulent that turns shades of pink and purple! These succulents have thick, rounded leaves that look just like a rock with tiny speckles sprouting in columns from a central leaf. Whether kept indoors or outdoors, these plants will thrive in hot, dry, and sunny environments with well-draining soil. In the Summer and Winter, their watering needs decrease, making them even easier to care for. These gorgeous and unique succulents with their vivid shades of purple make the Royal Flush a highly desirable plant among collectors.
‘Perle Von Nurnberg’
The Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ is one of the most striking and sought-after purple succulent hybrids. This unique plant forms rosettes of robust, fleshy, water-filled leaves that switch from blue-green to alluring shades of purple at the outermost margins. In the Summer, the ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ succulent blooms with large clusters of coral pink flowers! Like other Echeverias, this popular cultivar is easy to care for and requires careful, infrequent watering and plenty of sunlight. For those who love purple plants, this highly-regarded succulent hybrid is a vibrant and world-famous choice.
Ruby Necklace
The Ruby Necklace is a popular hanging succulent cultivar that features thick, bead-shaped leaves that radiate from reddish-purple stems. This sun-loving, drought-tolerant plant can survive in a variety of conditions making it a great choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. When the ‘Ruby Necklace’ becomes stressed due to sudden drops or spikes in temperatures, the leaves turn shades of purple and red which is where this gorgeous plant gets its title.
The Ruby Necklace is an easy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in many environments. Whether kept indoors or outdoors, it looks stunning in any hanging garden!
Purple Delight
The Purple Delight is an elegant and understated purple succulent that grows like a rose from elongated branches. It has sage-green rosette leaves and a protective frost-like film coating that gives a beautiful marbled look. The fleshy rosette leaves range in color from light pink to white, and varying shades of purple throughout.
In the Spring, these gorgeous plants erupt with clusters of white and dark-pink speckled flowers that are a joy to have in the garden. If you love unique purple succulents, the Purple Delight may be a great new addition to your indoor or outdoor grow space.
Black Rose Aeonium
Aeonium Black Rose is a deep-purple succulent shrub that grows up to 3 feet tall. It features fleshy purple rosette leaves that resemble flowers and can grow around 8 inches wide! This large succulent plant may curl its leaves and go dormant in the Summertime, requiring little to no water.
The Black Rose’s peak season is during the cooler Winter and Spring months when it produces high-contrast, star-shaped, yellow flowers that burst from the center of the rosettes. The Black Rose can be kept indoors or outdoors but may shift between varying shades of black, red, and purple depending on the growing environment.
Purple Pearl
Echeveria ‘Purple Pearl’ is quite similar to its relative, ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, but it has been intentionally cultivated to bring out even more vibrant shades of purple! The fleshy, spoon-shaped, succulent leaves form into tight rosette shapes that can reach 6-8 inches in diameter.
When kept in full sun, this attractive plant radiates with majestic tints of purple! In the shade, the leaves turn to a lovely silver-green typical of other succulents. Like most echeveria, the Purple Pearl is resilient and adaptable to many growing environments but doesn’t like to be overwatered. Whether kept indoors in a sunny window or outdoors in your garden, the Purple Pearl is a joy to have in the home.
Pacific Devil’s Food
This popular purple plant is a rosette-forming Sempervivum succulent that shows off thick, deep-purple, leaves with pointed tips. The heavy purple pigmentation throughout the Pacific devil’s food succulent, along with its easy care requirements, make it a favorite houseplant or outdoor garden accent for succulent collectors. If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant with a double dose of purple, the Pacific Devil’s Food succulent could be the perfect addition to your collection.
Trailing Jade
Trailing jade, also known as weeping jade, is a species of succulent bearing tear-shaped leaves that grow along multiple branches. The emerald-green leaves of this unique vine-like succulent are known for turning bright shades of purple and magenta! These plants can tolerate many environments and change color depending on the temperature, surroundings, and other factors. Trailing Jade is well-loved for its striking color shifts, rapid growth, and minimal care requirements. If you love purple succulents, the trailing jade is one of the most popular choices.
Jupiter’s Beard
Jupiter’s’ Beard, sometimes called ‘Jobs’ Beard’ or ‘Thunder’s Beard’ is a Sempervivum succulent that has a deep history in European folklore. As a result, it has been kept in homes and gardens for thousands of years.
The thick, juicy leaves of the Job’s Beard succulent are a deep purplish-pink color with silver-green border margins. These flat, pointed, leaves form a circular rosette shape that is attractive to succulent collectors.
The genus Sempervivum means ‘always alive’ and the lifespan of this succulent reflects its namesake. They can be easily grown indoors or outdoors, and they’re well-known for being easy to grow, propagate, and care for.
Purple Haze
This hybrid succulent is characterized by its silvery-mint-colored leaves that form in rosettes along sprawling stems. From winter to spring, the edges of the leaves become tinted with misty shades of purple, giving this succulent its unique and intriguing name. In spring, it blooms white flowers with striking red specks which welcome the new season.
Similar to other Graptopetalum succulents, the Purple Haze requires plenty of sunlight, infrequent watering, and well-draining soil. If you’re searching for a succulent that is easy to care for and has plenty of purple floral and foliage displays, Purple Haze is a great choice.
Afterglow
Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ is a beautiful succulent that forms large rosettes that can grow up to over 12 inches wide! When exposed to sunlight, the leaves transform from minty green shades to pink and purple blush tones! The borders of each rosette leaf pop with bright pinks and purples. In Summer, the striking rosettes produce branched stalks with tulip-shaped, pink flowers that open gradually for a long-lasting floral display.
This echeveria hybrid species is popular among pro and novice gardeners alike. It prefers full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and thrives in warmer temperatures.
Purple Emperor
This dramatic purple succulent grows on tall ascending stems dotted with clumps of thick, dark-purple leaves. In late summer to early fall, the Purple Emperor succulent comes alive with bursts of fragrant, light-pink, star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and other important pollinators. This popular and well-loved succulent grows well outdoors or indoors and thrives in full sun with well-draining soil. If you love bright, luxurious, and elegant-looking purple succulents, the Purple Emperor may be the perfect plant to add to your collection.
Violet Cactus
The violet cactus is a striking, small, purple cactus that forms dense clusters of wart-like tubercle mounds with varying shades of violet coloration throughout. The violet cactus succulent has flattened clusters of spines that lay in the center of each rounded purple tubercle. If you love purple plants, the stunning Violet Cactus is one-of-a-kind. This unique and vibrant cactus features multiple shades of purple year-round and blooms with deep-magenta flowers in Spring. The Violet Cactus can do well in indoor and outdoor environments and thrives in partial shade to full sun. However, it can struggle to survive in extreme heat.
Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s Blood is a striking drought-tolerant groundcover succulent celebrated for its impressive seasonal color transformation and low-maintenance requirements. From summer to fall, it blooms with showy purple-red flowers. When the fall season arrives, its scalloped succulent leaves transition from rich shades of purple and green to deep crimson-red! A long-time favorite for garden borders, rock gardens, and ground cover, this color-morphing sedum looks stunning just about anywhere. Dragon’s Blood can grow in indoor and outdoor gardens as long as it has full sun and well-draining soil.
