Succulents That Are Resistant to Freezing

Cacti

• Most hardy prickly pear cacti, Opuntia species, are very resistant to freezing. O. macrorhiza can survive winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees F. O. compressa is winter hardy to -30 degrees F. O. humifusa tolerates winter temperatures down to -20 degrees F. There are over 200 Opuntia species, which may or may not have prickly thorns. They grow to a height of 6 to 14 inches and generally bloom in late spring. The flowers can be anywhere from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Many Opuntia species produce bright yellow flowers but there are some that bloom in purple, pink, red, orange or peach. Some species of Echinocereus or hedgehog cactus can tolerate freezing temperatures. Escobaria Missourians or Missouri foxtail cactus can survive temperatures as low as 0 degrees F.

Delosperma

• Delosperma species, commonly referred to as ice plants, bloom all summer long. D. cooperi, D. floribundum and D. nubigenum can withstand freezing temperatures down to -10 degrees F. D. cooperi “Kelaidis” can survive temperatures as low as -30 degrees F. These succulents grow to between 3 and 6 inches tall. Their green tubular leaves are covered with tiny clear flecks that sparkle in the sunshine. The 1 1/2- to 2-inch diameter flowers open on sunny days then close up at night and remain closed on dark cloudy days. The flowers can be yellow, dark pink, purple or salmon-pink.

Euphorbia

• Euphorbia species commonly have succulent foliage and many are resistant to freezing temperatures. They bloom in the spring or summer and may rebloom in the fall. E. polychroma or cushion spurge can survive temperatures down to -30 degrees F. It grows to between 1 and 1 1/2 feet tall and blooms in yellow in the spring. Its green leaves change to bronze-red in autumn. The Lucy cultivar has variegated foliage while Bonfire has green foliage with burgundy tones. E. epithymoides or cushion spurge can survive winter temperatures down to -30 degrees F. It is 1 foot tall with green foliage and yellow flowers.

Sempervivum

• Sempervivum species are commonly known as hens and chicks or houseleeks. These succulent plants can survive temperatures down to -20 degrees F. They do not usually bloom in cultivation, but when they do bloom, it is usually in late spring or early summer. S. arachnoideum or cobweb hens and chicks grow to between 1 and 3 inches tall in a rosette form with green, red or silver foliage. S. montanum or mountain hens and chicks have green succulent leaves.