When caring for your succulents, you may wonder what temperature is too cold for them to survive in. These plants are native to warm, dry areas. Even so, some succulents can survive in cooler temperatures while others cannot. So, what temperature is too cold for your succulent?
Generally, succulents prefer weather between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so any temperature under 50 degrees is too cold. The lowest temperature a succulent can withstand depends on the kind of succulent it is.
In this article, we’ll discuss more about what kind of care and climate different succulents have, along with whether or not they can be kept outside.
Also see: Can All Succulents Survive Winter? Here’s What I Think
What Temperature Is Too Cold For Succulents?
If you’re worried about keeping your succulents warm enough, a good rule of thumb is to keep your plants in an environment above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that, for most succulents, below 50 degrees is too cold.
Many succulents prefer to stay within a temperature range of 70-80 degrees in the warmer months and 50-60 degrees in the fall and winter. Because they prefer warm weather, succulents thrive indoors, where you can control the temperature.
Succulents have become a trendy houseplant across many climates, but most succulents prefer warm, dry weather. Some hardier kinds of succulents can withstand a little more variation in their climate, while others can get damaged in cooler temperatures.
If you are hoping to add some of these adorable plants to your outdoor garden, you can! There are hundreds of kinds of succulents, and some tougher varieties can be kept outside, even during the colder winter months.
In the next section, we will keep exploring the range of temperatures that different kinds of succulents can survive in.
Also see: How Often Should You Be Watering Your Terrarium? This Often!
What Is the Right Temperature Range For Your Succulent?
There are so many types of succulents, and while they do prefer warmer weather, they all react to temperature and climate a little differently. Some succulents, like zebra plants and burro’s tail, can’t tolerate any cold weather and should be kept in a place where the temperature stays above 50 degrees. Other succulents, like houseleeks and agave plants, can survive outside through the winter months.
If you’re wondering if your succulents can be kept outside as the weather gets cooler, it’s a good idea to find out your USDA hardiness zone. These zones refer to different areas in the United States and are measured by their yearly extreme minimum temperature.
Any given succulent plant variety can fall anywhere within USDA hardiness zones 5 and 11, meaning they can withstand an extreme minimum temperature of anywhere between 50 degrees and -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Zones 9 to 11 on the USDA plant hardiness scale cover the southernmost states of the U.S., like Texas, Florida, and California, where the weather is warmer and sunnier.
Zones 5 to 8 stretch into a cooler territory, reaching states as far north as Wisconsin, where temperatures can drop below freezing in the winter.
In the chart below, we’ve outlined some popular types of succulents, along with their preferred hardiness zones and whether you should keep them outdoors or indoors.
| SUCCULENT TYPE | HARDINESS ZONE AND EXTREME MINIMUM TEMPERATURE (FAHRENHEIT) | KEEP INDOORS OR OUTDOORS? |
| Burro’s Tail | Zones 10 – 11 (minimum of 30 to 35 degrees) | Keep indoors |
| Zebra Plant | Zones 10 – 11 (minimum of 30 to 35 degrees) | Keep indoors |
| Jade Plant | Zones 10 – 11 (minimum of 30 to 35 degrees) | Keep indoors |
| Queen Victoria Agave | Zones 7 – 9 (minimum of 0 to 5 degrees) | Can be kept indoors or outdoors |
| Flaming Katy | Zones 10 – 11 (minimum of 30 to 35 degrees) | Keep indoors |
| Houseleeks (also known as Hens and Chicks) | Zones 5 – 9 (minimum of -20 to -15 degrees) | Can be kept indoors or outdoors |
| Parry’s Agave | Zones 5 – 11 (minimum of -20 to -15 degrees) | Can be kept indoors or outdoors |
| Broadleaf Stonecrop | Zones 6 – 9 (minimum of -5 to -10 degrees) | Can be kept indoors or outdoors |
| Texas Sotol | Zones 7 – 11 (minimum of 0 to 5 degrees) | Can be kept indoors or outdoors |
| Aloe Vera | Zones 9 – 11 (minimum of 20 to 25 degrees) | Keep indoors |
It’s safe to say that succulents that grow in zones 9 to 11 should only be kept outdoors in the warmer months when the temperature stays above 50 degrees.
During the winter, you should move these succulents indoors, where the temperature can be controlled.
Also see: Can Succulents Grow in Shade? Here’s the Truth
Can You Grow Succulents Outside?
Some succulents can be kept outdoors all year round – it just depends on the kind of succulent you’d like to grow and how much the temperature varies where you live. During the warmer months, when the temperature stays above 50 degrees, you can keep all of your succulents outside.
Many plant experts recommend that you keep all of your succulents outside when the weather permits because they’ll get more ventilation and sunlight outside.
In the fall and winter, it’s recommended that you bring your succulents inside if they fall in the USDA hardiness zone of 9 or above. These kinds of succulents can get damaged by frost, so make sure to plant them in containers that can be easily transported inside.
If you have houseleeks or an agave plant, it’s generally okay to leave it outside for the winter. These plants grow in hardiness zones 5 to 9, so they can withstand colder temperatures. You can also cover your outdoor succulents in a frost cloth to make sure they don’t get damaged by frost.
Many succulents naturally slow their growth or even go dormant in the winter, whether they are cold-hardy or not. So if your succulent close up or starts to lose its color, don’t worry – your plant is not dying, and it will start growing again once temperatures rise and the sun gets stronger.
Also see: 5 Succulent Christmas Ornament Ideas For Diy Enthusiasts!
What Else Does A Succulent Need?
While maintaining the right temperature is a critical part of succulent care, a few other factors in their environment can affect their growth. The right amount of sunlight and water is also important if you want a happy, healthy succulent.
1- Succulents Need Sunlight
The amount of sun your plants get is crucial to their health. Succulents are native to dry, sunny areas, and it’s recommended that these plants get around six hours of sun per day.
Make sure to keep your indoor succulents in a sunny window and plant your outdoor succulents in a spot that will get lots of light.
2- Don’t Overwater Your Succulents
Since succulents are native to dry areas, they actually store water in their leaves and stems. This is why they don’t need to be watered often.
Water your succulent once a week at the very most, and make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again.
Final Thoughts
Most succulents love warm weather between 50 and 80 degrees, so if you want to make sure your succulents thrive, you should make sure they stay in that temperature range. If you do want to keep your succulents outside, read up on your hardiness zone and make sure it’s compatible with the hardiness zone of your succulent.
Some hardier succulents can survive in freezing temperatures. With the right amount of sunlight, cold-hardy succulents can be kept outside all year round. There are hundreds of kinds of succulents out there, so no matter what climate you live in, you should be able to find the perfect indoor and outdoor succulents for you.