The United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map is used by farmers and gardeners to determine the average, or the range, of the annual minimum winter temperature of different regions of the country. This map is divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones.
USDA hardiness zone 7 has a minimum average temperature of 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has two subzones: 7a, with a minimum temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and 7b, with a minimum temperature of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Zone 7 hardiness areas typically have mild winter temperatures, and about 28 states have parts included in zone 7. These states include Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Oklahoma.
In this article, we will be listing and discussing succulents that can thrive in hardiness zone 7. So, if you live in one of these areas, keep reading to find out the best succulents for your garden.
Can succulents survive in zone 7?
Yes, there are definitely succulents that can survive in hardiness zone 7. These succulents are often described as hardy because of their ability to tolerate a wide range of temperature changes and different environmental conditions. It will certainly take a hardy plant to survive 0 degree Fahrenheit winter temperatures!
Succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow when you want a diverse aesthetic mix, be it as part of your landscape, in a purely succulent garden, or an addition to your regular outdoor garden. But this will only work if you know exactly which succulents will thrive in your part of the country. Growing plants that might not end up surviving in your hardiness zone is just a waste of time and money, so be smart when choosing which ones to include in your collection.
Fortunately, there are a lot of succulents that grow well in zone 7. The many different climates included in this zone allow for a range of possible options.
These succulents are low-maintenance and will grow well as long as they are planted in well-draining soil and allowed to get the light that they need on a daily basis.
They are perfect succulents for beginner gardeners.
8 Best succulents for zone 7
1. Agave
Agaves have large leaves with sharp, pointed tips. They are hardy and resilient and grow very well in zone 7. They make great additions to cactus, succulent or rock gardens.
Agaves are best planted in the spring or early autumn. They are slow-growing plants that may take several years after maturing before they start flowering.
Mature plants, when they do flower, produce flower stalks that grow up from the center of the plant. Their flowers are bell-shaped and come in white, green and yellow.
Make sure to plant your agave in well-draining soil, in a spot where it can get lots of full sunlight. These plants only need to be watered when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch. If the soil is still damp, wait one or two days before checking it again.
2. Sempervivum
Another succulent that grows well in zone 7 is the Sempervivum. These succulents are hardy and can tolerate both drought conditions and extreme temperature changes. The most familiar variety to you is probably the hen and chicks, but there are many other sempervivums that grow well in zone 7.
These succulents come in a wide array of colors and sizes, so gardeners can mix and match them to create a pleasing combination of appearances and textures in their landscapes and gardens.
These plants are low-maintenance and fine with getting very little attention for extended periods of time. Although they can adapt to most soil types, they grow best in well-draining soil in a sunny location.
3. Spurge
The Spurge group of succulents is one of the most extensive and diverse plant genuses, with thousands of species. These succulents have unique-looking and attention-grabbing leaves and are fast growers that can take over a garden in no time.
Examples of spurges that can be grown in hardiness zone 7 are the Helena’s Blush, Glacier Blue, Excalibur, Cypress, Bonfire, and Blue Haze spurges.
The growing conditions that these plants prefer will depend on the variety of spurge you are growing, but generally spurge plants like well-draining soil and lots of full sunlight.
Make sure you do not give your spurge too much water; only water it when the soil is dry to the touch. The plant’s roots should never be allowed to stand in perpetually soggy soil for extended periods because this can lead to root rot which may end up killing the plant.
4. Yucca
The Yucca genus includes species that are hardy enough to tolerate winter temperatures in zone 7 areas.
These plants are low-maintenance, just like most succulents, and they can thrive despite getting very little attention for extended periods.
Yuccas have lantern-shaped flowers that grow on tall spikes. They grow well in dry rock gardens in hot climates and do best in sandy soil under full sun.
Examples of yuccas that grow and thrive in zone 7 are the curved leaf yucca, small soapweed yucca, banana yucca, blue yucca, Adam’s needle yucca, and whale’s tongue yucca.
5. Orostachys
Another succulent group that grows well in zone 7 is Orostachys. These succulents have spiral leaves that are arranged to look almost like a blooming flower.
They can easily be mistaken for Aeonium plants.
Orostachys grow best in well-draining soil, in a spot with lots of full sunlight. They can even grow in low-nutrient soil, as long as the soil still has good drainage.
They should only be watered once the soil has dried out between waterings, to ensure that they do not get overwatered, which can cause root rot. This is a condition caused by constantly wet soil, which prevents the root from accessing oxygen and causes them to drown. The resulting rot in the dead roots can spread to the rest of the plant, eventually killing it.
6. Jovibarba
Jovibarba succulents have fleshy leaves that grow in a rosette formation. They are often confused with hens and chicks succulents because they look quite similar.
These hardy succulents can adapt well to the temperature changes often observed in zone 7 climates.
They like good drainage and should be protected from the elements, such as strong winds and storms. They grow well in spots where they can get lots of sunlight and are tolerant of short periods of drought.
Water this plant only when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch, to avoid overwatering and possible root rot.
7. Delosperma
Delospermas, or ice plants, are low-growing plants that make a great ground cover in landscapes and gardens. They produce brightly-colored, daisy-like flowers during the summer.
Delospermas like to grow in well-draining soil and should be placed in spots where they can get between six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
Two varieties that can grow in zone 7 are the Starburst ice plant, which grows to three inches tall and a foot and a half wide, and Cooper’s ice plant, which can grow to six inches tall and two feet wide. Both produce purple flowers.
8. Sedum
These plants also called stonecrop succulents, work great in landscapes. There is a wide variety of sedums, and they come in all sizes and colors.
These plants are tolerant of drought and can grow in rocky or sandy soil with exposure to direct sunlight.
Several Sedum varieties will survive in zone 7, because they are low-maintenance and can thrive despite changes in temperature and climate.
One sedum that does well in zone 7 is Sedum album ‘Murale’, or white stonecrop. It is a low-growing succulent that reaches three inches in height and can spread to nine inches wide. It has white flowers that bloom during the spring and summer.
Another variety is the chocolate drop sedum, which can grow up to a foot tall and one and a half feet wide. It has pink flowers in the summertime and brown or dark green leaves.
Conclusion
USDA hardiness zone 7 has a minimum average temperature of 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has two subzones: 7a, with a minimum temperature of 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and 7b, with a minimum temperature of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Zone 7 hardiness areas typically have mild winter temperatures. Around 28 states have parts included in zone 7, including Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Oklahoma.
There are plenty of choices for zone 7 in the succulent groups listed above. These succulents can handle the temperature swings in this zone and are also some of the easiest plants to grow and care for.
These plants should be placed in areas where they can get lots of sunlight throughout the day, and only need to be watered when the soil in the pot has dried out. As long as you provide these plants with their basic needs, they should have no problem thriving in hardiness zone 7.
