Hi folks,

Thought I'd throw a question out there and see what kind of responses I might get. I am looking for a "trailing type" of succulent that will grow in our Texas heat, full Sun. Does anyone have any good suggestions. I am a beginner using Succulents, and love the way they look, I planted a beautiful little cobweb (not sure of the name), and have found that it does not like our heat! So I have moved it to the covered patio. I would like to replace it with something that can take these blustering Summers of ours.

I have placed a photo of what I am replacing:


Any suggestion is most appreciated, thank you for your time!

~ Lisa ~

Waiting to hear what all you Texas gardeners come up with.
Your weather is do different from my Pacific Northwest summers.

Are you keeping the soil damp or wet? It looks like it might be too damp in the fish mouth. I would think your best bet would be asking at a local nursery for suggestions.

I took a couple of photos of a sedum that grows well for me in very little soil and no care. I'll try to post them tomorrow.

I'll forget tomorrow, so here's the little no care sedum. Never freezes, never gets extra water, pieces that drop off onto the wall, grow attached to the wall. I'm sure someone has a better succulent for trailing, but this one is bullet proof.

Wow, that is bullet proof.
What do you think of it Lisa?

The tried and true down here south of Houston is Graptopetalum paraguayense, Ghost Plant Ghost Plant (XGraptosedum 'Ghosty')

It's a pass-along, so any gardener in the area should have a chunk to spare. A single leaf will start a new plant even. It will take full sun, part sun, no sun... and it's pretty hardy even in containers although it might die back when there's a ghastly freeze like we had a couple of winters ago.

A lot of the lovely Sedums, Escheverias, etc. just melt away in our combo heat and humidity.

Great info Monica. I knew many of the plants I grow would not handle the sun and heat that you all get.

Lynn, I think it's the combination of sun and humidity that does in a lot of the succulents in this area -- many can handle dry heat, but when the average daily humidity is 75%, the mix is just too much. Or a 6" rain in 12 hours really rots 'em out fast.

Aloes do very well even in-ground in full sun, and there's supposedly an Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy' that someone in my area is growing (don't know in how much sun). Sedum mexicanum and Sedum makinoi 'Ogon' also grow well, but also not in full sun.

Good to know. Thank you Monica. Hope Lisa is reading this.

I second the vote on the one Sandy posted.It is very sweet especially when it flowers. I had a ghost plant but our winters are too cold and it got left out. Does that pot have good draining soil?

For the last 3 years I have left my Ghost Plant out side during winter (zone 8). I put it under the deck roof so it doesn't get rain. It is the combination of cold and wet that will kill them.
It comes through into spring looking like we never had a winter. I did loose one that was out in my raised bed, it got the combination of cold and wet.

Good to know. I imagine you get some 25 F weather in the winter too.

We can have temps into the low teens, it's not unusual.

valleylynn said:Wow, that is bullet proof.
What do you think of it Lisa?

Thank you all for the posted suggestions! That is a very nice trailer...Maybe I can find one for the fish mouth. I did buy the ghost plant at a local nursery.

I didn't make it out to that nursery that you sent me the link to Lynn, I ended up going to Georgetown (Northwest of Austin), which would have been a good opportunity to take the drive over, but, turns out it is kind of a hassle to try to drive that far to a place that you must make a reservation to visit, to coordinate your timing. But I did find this really nice Outdoor Market store in Bastrop, very pricey, but they had some of the most unique stuff!

I picked up a Donkey's tail...


A nice Jade....and a couple of other ones that sparked my interest...Got these guys repotted tonight...


And these nice little fellas at Houston Garden center, I picked up today for 70% off...not sure what I'm gonna put these in yet.


I realize they have to stay under the shade, and I'm probably pressing my luck buying them, but I couldn't help it!! Is this how you guys got started....
Am I addicted - already?? Oh dear...but they are all so cute!!

Oh boy, are you ever addicted Lisa.
What an awesome selection you have there. It is fun seeing what you are finding in your area.

Thank you Lynn...it's been MOST fun too!! You have given me alot of great advice, I really appreciate your time.

I used the Miracle Grow brand cactus soil, and added some perlite to it, as it seemed a bit wet to me...maybe too much humidity here? I hope this should be alright...I noticed the soil used on most all the plants I transplanted had a very dark, fine mix of soil. Not sure if I should have added the perlite, but I thought it should be a good draining type that was needed. Hope I did the right thing...time will tell I suppose!

Better than perlite is pumice or chicken grit. Perlite tends to gravitate to the service. Just experiment and have fun, with time you will find just the perfect way to grow them in your part of the country.
I look forward to watching them grow.

Wondering Lynn, if you know whether this one here can take full sun? I am almost positive this one was purchased in full Sun at Houston Plants and Garden center here. My co-worker who was with me, said she thought so too. If I can, maybe that one is the perfect candidate for the fish mouth!

cajuncutie said:

Bubbles, Does this plant look like the one you show in your pics, except for a different color/variety? I think I'm gonna give it a try, but just one to make sure...hate to kill anything unnecessarily!!

No it isn't the same, but I think it would be fine in sun. Mine is more "feathery." You might try a piece of it in the pot. It looks like you can divide it. At 70% off, you don't have much to lose in the experiment! I'd be more concerned about pool water splashing on them.