Succulents Blooming in January: Aloes, Crassulas, and More

January is the quiet month in most northern gardens, but in mild climates (like Southern California) it's peak bloom for many succulents—especially aloes. This survey covers the major groups flowering now (add/subtract 6 months for southern hemisphere).

The Aloes: January's Superstars

Tree Aloes: Aloe africana, A. alooides, A. barberae (syn. A. bainsii, to 30+ ft), A. ferox (candelabra aloe, 3–4 month bloom), A. dichotoma, A. excelsa (deep red), A. eminens (rare, Somalia), A. khamiesensis, A. munchii, A. littoralis (blooms as seedling), A. mawii (upright flowers), A. marlothii (one-sided or upright forms), A. rupestris, A. castanea (more Feb), A. speciosa (spectacular, Dec–Mar), A. pluridens (French Lace), A. thraskii (golden heads), A. vaombe (Madagascan, prolific).

Spotted (Maculate) Aloes: A. branddraaiensis (highly branched), A. grandidentata, A. greatheadii, A. affinis, A. maculata (ubiquitous, variable colors), A. verdoorniae, A. petrophila (striped flowers).

Shrubby Aloes: A. arborescens, A. mutabilis, A. flexilifolia (drooping leaves), A. scorpioides, A. vanbalenii, hybrids 'Pink Perfection' and 'Principes' (A. arborescens × ferox), A. tenuior.

Other Aloes: A. aculeata (multi-color), A. acutissima, A. ahmarensis, A. altimatsiatrae, A. elegans, A. andongensis, A. betsileensis (corn-cob flowers), A. bulbolifera (bulbils in Feb), A. bussei, A. confusa, A. chabaudii (pink/orange/red), A. gracilis, A. hoffmannii, A. harlana, A. capitata varieties, A. cameronii (red foliage in stress), A. framesii, A. microstigma, A. decaryi, A. succotrina, A. cryptopoda/wickensii, A. lutescens, A. krapohliana, A. rubroviolacea (varies by site), A. vera (year-round), A. dawei, A. hardyi.

Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Winter growers, but not all bloom now. Aeoniums bloom year-round (mostly cool months). Crassula rupestris and 'Springtime' bloom reliably in January. Some Echeverias: E. coccinea, E. leuchotrica, E. agavoides, plus hybrids like 'Morning Light' and fuzzy E. pulvinata. Cotyledon orbiculata (green form) blooms now. Kalanchoes are January stars: K. blossfeldiana (nursery staple), K. luciae (flapjack), K. marmorata (penwiper), K. beharensis (massive), K. gastonis-bonnieri, invasive K. × Houghton's hybrid (mother of thousands), K. prolifera, K. marnieriana (non-monocarpic), 'Pink Zinfandel'.

Mesembs (Aizoaceae)

Small, brilliant African succulents. Argyroderma fissum, A. framesii, Cheriodopsis purpurea, Cephalophyllum 'Red Spike', C. framesii, Cerochlamys pachyphyllum, Aloinopsis spp., Faucaria spp. (evening bloomers).

Euphorbias and Cacti

Euphorbia ammak (variegated), E. pulcherrima (poinsettia), E. triangularis, E. richardsiae (red), E. grandicornis. Cacti mostly dormant; a few Cleistocacti (C. ferrarei, C. strausii) and Oreocereus spp. bloom.