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 8 has an annual minimum temperature of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It has two subzones, zone 8a, and zone 8b.
Zone 8a’s minimum temperature is 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, while zone 8b’s minimum temperature is 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures may reach freezing in this zone, but this is not so frequent and does not happen for extended durations.
Hardiness zone 8 regions include the Pacific Northwest, Georgia, some parts of Florida and Texas.
In this article, we will be listing some succulents that can thrive in hardiness zone 8, so if you live in one of these regions and you wish to learn more about them, just keep reading.
7 best succulents for zone 8
1. Ice plant
The ice plant, or Delosperma cooperi, is a resilient, hardy succulent that will thrive in zone 8. It is a relatively fast-growing evergreen that produces purple, daisy-like flowers.
This plant starts blooming early in its season and will continue to bloom until the first frost appears.
The ice plant can actually grow anywhere between hardiness zones 6 to 10.
This fast-growing succulent is very popular amongst plant collectors and gardeners
because it requires very little care and attention to be able to grow well.
It does not need too much water and it can tolerate drought because of the water stored in its succulent leaves.
2. Sempervivum
Sempervivums are also known as houseleeks, and are some of the most versatile and flexible succulents when it comes to the different environments they can tolerate.
They can deal with freezing temperatures, but also do well in warm climates.
These succulents are some of the quintessential zone 8 succulents, and they have very quaint and lovely flowers, to boot.
One of the most popular Sempervivum species is the hens and chicks. This plant gets its name from the way the parent plant sprouts pups, or offsets, that look like identical, miniature versions of itself. They are very easy to propagate and will quickly become a ground cover in your garden thanks to this characteristic.
These succulents are hardy all the way to zone 3, so their versatility when it comes to growing conditions cannot be understated.
3. Opuntia
This succulent is also called the prickly pear cactus. Surprisingly, it can actually do well all the way down to hardiness zone 3, but will thrive nevertheless in zone 8.
Like most succulents, Opuntia is low-maintenance and will not need much care and attention in order to thrive. It does well in sandy soil and likes lots of sun. Because it is a succulent that is native to the desert, it is tolerant of drought-like conditions and can store plenty of water in its leaves and body.
4. Sedum
This family of succulents is so vast and extensive that it comes in all manner of sizes and colors. One of the characteristics that they all have in common, though, is the rosette formation of their leaves. This rosette looks almost too perfect and symmetrical to be real, which can make the succulent appear fake or plastic. This also makes them the perfect plants to use for decor, especially indoors.
They are so easy to grow and can quickly take over large portions of your garden if you leave them alone.
With regard to the variety of sizes, the Autumn Joy, for example, can grow as tall as a person’s knee, while other varieties can be so tiny that they can grow in a small pot on your study table. These smaller sedums are great for ground cover, or you can also place them in hanging containers.
Sedums are fine with being neglected more than most regular plants, and they thrive in hardiness zone 8.
As long as you plant your sedum in well-draining soil and ensure that it gets lots of sunlight, you do not really need to do much aside from the occasional watering.
Just make sure that you only water it when the soil in the pot is dry to the touch. It is important that these plants do not get overwatered, because that can lead to root rot which could kill the plant.
5. Claret cup cactus
The claret cup cactus is a succulent that grows well in the loose, gravelly soil of the desert. It loves hot, arid climates, which makes it a great choice for zone 8 regions.
This plant only needs to be watered when the soil in its pot is dry to the touch. It is very easy to overwater it, so be vigilant about this, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
Root rot happens when the plant is so overwatered that the soil in the pot is perpetually wet. The wet soil will drown the plant’s roots, and they will be unable to absorb oxygen. They will start to rot and become susceptible to opportunistic pathogens, which will help the root rot to spread even faster to the rest of the plant until the entire plant is affected and eventually dies.
Because succulents store water in their leaves and bodies, most of them are more susceptible to root rot than the average plant.
6. Kalanchoe
The Kalanchoe genus is composed of flowering succulents that come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Over the past couple of years, they have become one of the most popular types of succulents collected as houseplants.
These succulents are low-maintenance and easy to grow and care for, because they are drought-tolerant and can go for weeks without being watered.
They can also tolerate frost, which is why they do quite well in moderate zone 8 climates.
Make sure these plants can get the sunlight that they need to remain healthy and that they have good drainage. Use well-draining succulent soil that is airy and porous. Also make sure the plant’s pot has drainage holes at the bottom so that any excess water will simply flow through the soil and out of the holes, thus reducing the chances of overwatering and root rot.
7. Lewisia
Lewisia is a small succulent with green, fleshy leaves, and is low-maintenance and easy to care for.
These plants are hardy to zone 3, so they can be grown in a wide array of different climates and temperatures.
The plants of the Lewisia genus need good drainage for healthy roots, and they need to get lots of sunlight in order to thrive.
They do not actually need to be fertilized to thrive; they will do just fine even in poor soils that are not exactly rich in nutrients.
They are, however, quite sensitive to overwatering, so make sure you check the soil in the pot before watering it. Touch the top two inches of soil with your finger, and if the soil is dry to the touch, water the plant. If the soil is still damp, wait one or two days before checking it again.
Make sure the soil is well-draining and that the pot has sufficient drainage holes.
Conclusion
USDA hardiness zone 8 has an annual minimum temperature of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is divided into two subzones, zone 8a and zone 8b, whose minimum temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively.
Zone 8 succulents are able to adapt to various weather and climate conditions.
The only thing that they are sensitive to is overwatering. This includes poorly-draining soil, insufficient sunlight, and too much water given.
If you are growing a zone 8 succulent, make sure your soil is well-draining and that the plant gets plenty of sunlight. Also, allow the soil in the pot to dry out between waterings.
The temperature in zone 8 very rarely gets below freezing, allowing a wide variety of succulents to grow well in these areas. As long as you choose plants that can thrive in zone 8 regions, you will have no problem growing them if you provide for their basic needs.
