Succulents, as well as cacti, are all the rage for busy plant owners. In general, these drought-tolerant and sun-loving plants require very little attention. You can place them in a sunny window or plant them in a sun-bathed part of your garden, water them minimally, and watch them thrive. Better yet, many cacti bloom with gorgeous flowers that may be orange, yellow, purple, pink, or red if you like bolder options.
Blossoming red flowers are sure-fire attention-getters. Their bright, intense, and provocative color stands out in the garden against a green sea of foliage and stems. As Longfield Gardens explains, red is a complementary color to green, allowing both hues to look their best when they are placed next to each other. If you dont want to deal with the upkeep of a perennial flower garden, or worse, an annual garden, planting a few different species of blooming cacti into the ground or containers can give you the same fiery visuals with almost none of the painstaking maintenance.
The barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), which is also referred to as mother-in-laws cushion, is a low-growing yet wide cactus that is covered with orange-red spines on its many ribs. In the summer, it blooms with bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators, per the University of Vermont. These flowers more frequently appear yellow, but they can be red when you purchase the right variety.
The blooms of the Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera russelliana) can be many different colors, as per North Carolina State Extension, but most often, they are a shade of red. These plants, which bloom during the holiday season, boast a flower-within-a-flower look which is a rare sight on a cactus. Even when the plant is not in bloom, its unique, flattened stems are quite ornamental on their own.
Red flowers are visually striking, injecting vibrant color and passion into any landscape. Many succulent plants produce gorgeous red blooms, adding a bold pop of color while still being low-maintenance. In this article, we’ll explore 17 succulents with red flowers to brighten up your home or garden.
1. Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular houseplant known for its bright red, pink, or white flowers that bloom around Christmas. Its segmented stems look like flat leaves It prefers bright, indirect light and humid conditions. Christmas cactuses bloom when the daylight hours shorten in late fall and winter.
2. Flaming Katy
Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a succulent native to Madagascar. It produces clusters of small, four-petaled flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, pink, or yellow. It blooms in winter or spring when exposed to at least 10-12 hours of darkness each night. Flaming Katy thrives in sunny windowsills and needs infrequent watering.
3. Torch Aloe
Torch aloe (Aloe arborescens) is an evergreen perennial related to the medicinal aloe vera In late winter and spring, it sends up tall flower stalks topped with tubular orange-red blooms Torch aloe does well in full sun and prefers fast-draining soil. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
4. Burro’s Tail
Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) is a trailing succulent that forms long stems covered in blue-green leaves. In summer, it produces dangling clusters of tiny red flowers Also called donkey’s tail, it does well in hanging baskets in full sun to partial shade. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
5. Red Torch Cactus
Red torch cactus (Echinopsis huascha) is an upright cactus that forms cylindrical stems with prominent ribs. Funnel-shaped red flowers bloom during the day in late spring and summer. Provide full sun and minimal water for these drought-tolerant plants.
6. Orchid Cactus
Orchid cactus (Disocactus ackermannii) has arching stems lined with wavy edges. Large, fragrant red flowers bloom from late spring into fall. Orchid cactus thrives in bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
7. Ice Plant
Ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is a sprawling succulent that forms a mat of fleshy green leaves. Daisy-like blooms in red, pink, orange, yellow, or white open in late spring and summer. Give ice plants full sun and well-drained soil. Water when the top inch is dry.
8. Echeveria ‘Black Prince’
‘Black Prince’ is a hybrid echeveria cultivar with striking dark purple leaves. In winter, it sends up flower stalks topped with clusters of bell-shaped red blooms. Provide this low-growing succulent with sun to partial shade and let the soil dry out between waterings.
9. Aloe ‘Porcupine’
‘Porcupine’ aloe is a unique succulent with spiky blue-green leaves reminiscent of a porcupine’s quills. Tubular orange-red flowers appear on tall stems in late winter and spring. Site it in full sun with occasional deep waterings.
10. Pincushion Cactus
Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria) is a slow-growing cactus covered in white spines. Rings of colorful flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, or white bloom near the top of the stems in spring and summer. Provide pincushion cactus with full sun and minimal water.
11. Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus
Scarlet hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus coccineus) is named for its vivid red flowers and spiny stems. The funnel-shaped blooms open briefly in late spring. This cactus is hardy to zone 4 and does well in full sun and dry, rocky soil.
12. Old Lady Cactus
Old lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) has a dense covering of white hair-like spines, earning it the common name “old lady.” Rings of purple-red flowers bloom near the top of the stems in summer. Site it in full sun with occasional watering.
13. Pig’s Ear
Pig’s ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) is named for its orbicular, paddle-shaped leaves. In summer, tall stalks emerge bearing dangling clusters of tubular red, orange, or pink flowers. Pig’s ear does well outdoors in zones 9-10 with sun exposure and dry soil.
14. Golden Rat Tail Cactus
Golden rat tail cactus (Cleistocactus strausii) has fuzzy, yellow-spined columns that grow up to 15 feet tall in its native habitat. Tubular red flowers bloom near the tip of the stems in summer. Grow this drought-tolerant cactus in full sun with occasional deep watering and excellent drainage.
15. Peanut Cactus
Peanut cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus) consists of small, elongated stems reminiscent of peanuts. Bell-shaped red flowers bloom along the sides of the stems in spring. Provide this dwarf cactus with full sun and minimal watering. Protect from frost.
16. Airplane Plant
Airplane plant (Crassula perfoliata) has succulent grey-green leaves stacked closely together. Clusters of tiny, sweetly scented red flowers bloom in summer. Give airplane plants sun to partial shade and water when the top inch of soil is dry.
17. Claret Cup Cactus
Claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) is a cold hardy cactus with prominent ribs and spines. Vibrant red flowers bloom in late spring. Claret cup cactus thrives outdoors in zones 4-9 with full sun exposure and good drainage.
With their low maintenance needs and stunning red blooms, succulent plants add visual interest to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Many red-flowering succulents like full sun, minimal watering, and fast-draining soil. Which of these eyecatching succulents will you add to your garden?
Old lady cactus
The old lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) looks like an old ladys head wearing a crown of flowers during the summer. As described by RHS, this cactus is covered with white, hair-like spines that protect its soft body from harmful insects. During its blooming season, a halo of red, pink, or purple flowers appears near the top of the old lady cactus, making it even more attractive and unique.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 9 to 11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining loam or sand
Size: 1 foot tall and 8 inches wide
Pigs ear (Cotyledon orbiculata) is a large succulent plant that can be identified by its paddle-like leaves that are mostly green and occasionally tipped with red. Its upright foliage usually becomes taller than 6 inches. In the summer, stalks ready to produce flowers will rise more than 12 inches tall and bloom with many showy red, orange, or pink blossoms, states High Country Gardens.
Bloom Season: Summer to fall
USDA Growing Zone: 6 to 10
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining sandy or dry
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall
Cleistocactus samaipatanus, which does not have a common name, is a low-growing and sun-loving cactus native to Bolivia. RHS describes the plants stems as cylindrical with dense, yellow spines. Its flowers are what really stand out: They bloom in the summer and boast a tubular shape that is frequently 1 inch wide and 2 inches long. Of course, they are bright red in color.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 9 to 11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: Up to 5 feet tall
Scarlet hedgehog cactus
Scarlet hedgehog cacti (Echinocereus coccineus) are a cold-hardy species that are regarded for their large red blooms that erupt out of their stems in the middle of spring. Usually, they only last for a few weeks, but you can enjoy them yearly as this cactus variety is known to live for a long time, as pointed out by High Country Gardens.
Bloom Season: Spring
USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 9
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: 5 to 8 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) is well-known for its fleshy leaves filled with healing gel that can be used on minor burns and cuts. However, only some people know that the plant also produces gorgeous red flowers. Because aloe vera is often grown indoors in colder regions, its rare for people to see it bloom since it must be planted outdoors to do so, as the University of Florida notes.
Bloom Season: Late winter to spring
USDA Growing Zone: 8 to 11
Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
17 Incredible Succulents With Red Flowers
FAQ
What is the name of the succulent with red flowers?
Aptenia Cordifolia or Baby Sun Rose is another beautiful red flowering succulent that works as an excellent ground cover for indoor and outdoor landscapes. Along with the fleshy, small leaves in fresh green color, the tiny red flowers that appear on the variety in spring and summer instantly brighten the picture.
What are the trailing succulents with red flowers?
Burro’s Tail is a succulent plant with trailing stems with blue-green fleshy leaves and reaching up to 22-24 inches long. It produces clusters of red flowers in summer and looks attractive in hanging containers.
Should you let succulents flower?
Succulent flowers are not just for show; they play a vital role in attracting pollinators, such as Sedum and Crassula, are known to attract bees, butterflies, …Jan 28, 2025
How do I identify my succulent?
- Leaf – shape, size and thickness.
- Color – of leaves, flowers or stems.
- Markings or bumps on the leaves.
- Flower – shape, color, number of blooms and petals per bloom.
- Stem – color, texture, length.
- Ciliate hairs.
- Epicuticular wax.