Succulents: Uncommon Plants for Tropical Homes and Gardens

If you were one of the 70,000 who visited HortPark duringthe recent GardenTech 2009, you might have noticed the fleshy plants that adorned a garden archway and hung from swinging baskets, decorating both sides of the linkway to the main event tent. These plants are succulents, or water-retaining plants, from two genera, Sedum and Senecio. Neither is native to our equatorial climate, making them unique additions to any home or garden.

The succulent species from these genera are popular houseplants in Singapore, for being attractive, hardy and easy to maintain. However, not all these succulent species are suited to our tropical climate: they originate from varied habitats, and differ greatly in terms of their growth requirements. The more temperate species are unable to tolerate heat, and any attempt to grow them here will fail.

The handful of species featured here can grow in Singapore, although they will rarely flower. This is because our climate lacks temperature changes on a seasonal or daily basis. They can be planted in dish gardens as indoor decoration, and in outdoor gardens of cacti and succulents or even a rooftop garden!

Depending on the species, these succulents should be grown in areas that are exposed to at least six hours of full sun to partial shade. They grow best in free-draining media: an ideal medium would be 50% sifted burnt earth mixed with 50% commercial cactus mix. Most species are easily propagated from stem cuttings.

The plants should be watered only when the top inch layer of the soil has dried up slightly, and fed weekly using half-strength liquid fertiliser or coated, slow-release fertiliser pellets.

There are two main genera of succulents featured in this article.

Plants from the genus Sedum are mainly succulent plants, and are commonly called stonecrops. Belonging to the Crassulaceae family, some species are edible and have medicinal properties. Others are used as green roof plants, both locally and in temperate countries.

Species from the Senecio genus are more varied. They can be leaf, stem and tuber succulents, but there are others which are climbers, shrubs and small trees. They belong to the Asteraceae family and produce daisy-like flowers in branched clusters.

By Pearl Ho & Wilson Wong


A range of succulent plants was used to decorate the archway that welcomed visitors during the recent GardenTech 2009.


The donkey’s tail, Sedum morganianum, has spindle-shaped leaves with a silver-blue cast. If allowed to grow, its long, pendulous stems can reach 1 m or more, making it suitable for growing in hanging baskets in sheltered, semi-shaded areas. It is commonly confused with S. burrito, which features smaller and rounder leaves and is trickier to grow in Singapore.


Sedum mexicanum, commonly called the Mexican stonecrop, grows as a mound. It is best grown under direct sunshine where the short, linear leaves take on a bright, greenish yellow colour. It can be grown as a groundcover plant and are useful for adding colour to borders and containers.
Sedum sexangulare, commonly known as tasteless or watch chain stonecrop, is a mat-forming species characterised by tiny oblong leaves that are arranged in six parallel rows. It thrives in semi-shade and can be used in rock walls, between large stones on a terrace, or in containers.


Sedum sarmentosum is another mat-forming species with roundish leaves. It looks best when grown under semi-shade as its leaves turn into an unattractive yellow colour when exposed to intense sunshine and overly dry conditions. Common names of this plant include stringy stonecrop and graveyard moss.


Senecio macroglossus is a vine that resembles the English ivy (Hedera helix). Its leaves are smooth and fleshy to touch and have five pointed corners. This vine is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in semi-shaded areas can be allowed to trail over a pot. Being a climber, it seizes any chance to twine its stems around any vertical support can find. This picture shows the variegated variety


Commonly known as string-of-pearls or string-of-beads, Senecio rowleyanus is a trailing species that puts forth long, pendulous stems of roughly spherical leaves. Suited for hanging baskets in a sunny area, this plant should be kept on the dry side to prevent rot. The fleshy leaves are poisonous and should not be consumed

Total Comments: 8

Catherine 8/25/2014 11:28:40 AM

Hi Can you suggest the best potting mix which suit our high rise appartments (outdoor balcandy only with partial sunlight, semi shaded) in singapore? Appreciate if you can suggest some cactus/succulents that can grow well in such environment), thank you.

Pat 9/4/2014 9:56:40 PM

Hi I am considering planting succulents on the ground to make a succulent garden but have been told that the heavy and plentiful rain that we get in malaysia and Singapore will ruin the succulents. What do you think? Can good drainage overcome this problem.

Li-San 8/28/2014 5:53:33 PM

Hi Catherine, The soil mix will very much depend on what is being grown and the environmental condition of the area the plants are grown. In most case, a well-draining yet moisture retentive mix will do. If your plants are grown in containers, the mix could be made up of 1 part compost mixed with 1 part coarse burnt earth (it has a chunky appearance). The amount of coarse burnt earth can be increased to improve drainage further, or reduced to allow the soil mix to retain more moisture. Similarly, the amount of compost can be increased to retain more moisture. There are not many succulents that will do well in a shady environment. Most succulents prefer full sun. For semi-shade conditions, you can try to grow Haworthia, Gasteria and Sansvieria. Here is a <a href="http://mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg/wp-content/uploads/cactus_office.jpg">picture</a> of my colleague's Haworthia and Aloe grown under lights in his office.

Christine 5/10/2015 4:13:12 PM

I called all three named florists and they did not carry the string of pearls. Please advise where I can get them?

Li-San 8/7/2014 8:54:07 AM

Hi Janet, Several of the local nurseries should carry these succulents, including Pioneer and Hua Hng at Bah Soon Pah Road, and Candy Floriculture and Far East Flora along Thomson Road.

Li-San 9/5/2014 3:21:07 PM

Hi Pat, In general, cacti and succulent gardens in Singapore require some protection from the rain. Coarse and well-draining media aside, the torrential rains during the monsoon seasons, or even overcast skies can lead to problems. Should the soil not dry out fast enough, the plant might develop fungal/bacteria spots and sometimes rot of the crown and roots. There are some species from selected genera like Euphorbia and Agave that can grow outdoors without shelter. But they must be grown raised above ground level in very draining media. A simple way to learn what method will work and what won't is to check out existing landscape projects. In both Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Botanic Gardens, plants are grown under a glass shelter that protects the plants from rain, yet permit light to reach the plants. Most gardeners prefer to grow their plants in pots. Container planting allows the gardener to move the plants conveniently and containers dry out faster, thereby allowing the plants to survive our tropical conditions better.

Li-San 5/14/2015 9:31:23 AM

Hi Christine, You can try some of the larger nurseries. We know of two that had previously brought in these plants: World Farm Co Pte Ltd at 15 Bah Soon Pah Road (Tel: 6257 4437) or Candy Floriculture Pte Ltd at 567 Thomson Road (Tel: 6256 6788). You may want to give them a call prior to heading down.

Janet 8/6/2014 1:15:00 PM

Hi Can I know where can I purchase these succulents in Singapore? Thanks.
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