Welcome to the world of unusual and super rare succulents!
If you’re a plant lover with a taste for the unique and quirky, you’re in for a treat. These aren’t your typical green friends—each succulent here looks like it’s come from another planet!
We are pretty sure these 15 bizarre cuties will add a splash of whimsy and wonder to your collection. Get ready to meet some of the most fascinating, otherworldly plants that will bring charm, character, and a bit of magic to your space!
1. Crassula Umbella (Wine Cup) – The Tiny Goblet
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Subfamily: Crassuloideae
- Tribe: Crassuleae
- Genus: Crassula
Crassula umbella looks like a forest of tiny, alien wine glasses! Each “cup” sits on a stem, bright green with a delicate red rim, as if holding a tiny splash of cosmic wine. This succulent’s adorable little “goblets” will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a magical fairy bar, ready for a toast!
2. Monilaria Obconica (Bunny Succulents) – Hoppy Little Aliens
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Monilaria
Monilaria obconica, or “Bunny Succulents,” is exactly as cute as it sounds. With two chubby, round leaves poking up like bunny ears, they look like little green rabbits hopping around your garden! Each “bunny” grows from a bulbous base, like a tiny alien rabbit that’s landed just to make you smile.
3. Faucaria felina (Tiger Jaws) – The Fierce Little Monster
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Faucaria
Faucaria felina is like a mini Jurassic creature, all spiky and toothy like a tiger’s open mouth! With its spiked, tooth-like edges, it’s the fierce protector of your succulent collection. Don’t worry—it only looks ferocious. This little “monster” will sit quietly in your garden, giving your space a prehistoric vibe!
4. Haworthia Cooperi – The Jelly Gem
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
- Tribe: Aloeae
- Genus: Haworthia
Haworthia cooperi is like a cluster of tiny green jelly beans! Its leaves are translucent, glowing when the light hits just right, almost like they’re filled with magical water. You’ll find yourself mesmerized by these “jelly beans,” which look like they belong in a treasure chest from some hidden alien world.
5. Stapelia Gigantea (Zulu Giant) – The Starry Stinker
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
- Tribe: Stapeliae
- Genus: Stapelia
Stapelia gigantea is both beautiful and unusual! Its star-shaped flowers look like they’re straight from an alien landscape, with mesmerizing colors and patterns. Known for its “carrion” scent that attracts flies, this little “star” is like a quirky friend who’s unforgettable. Just admire from a distance and let it work its magic!
6. Lithops (Living Stone) – The Sneaky Shape-shifter
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Lithops
Lithops are masters of disguise, looking just like little stones nestled into the soil. These “living stones” look so much like pebbles, you’d think they’re hiding! They even split in the middle to grow, as if a tiny secret world is peeking out. Lithops are like little rock creatures, blending in and surprising you with their unexpected blooms.
7. Lapidaria Margaretae – The Geometric Gem
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Lapidaria
Lapidaria margaretae is like a pastel-colored crystal that’s come to life. Its thick, angular leaves form a perfect geometric pattern, like a sculptural work of art. With soft pinks and greens, this succulent looks like it belongs in an enchanted alien desert—a tiny, living jewel that adds elegance and mystery to your space.
8. Conophytum calculus – The Pebble with Secrets
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Conophytum
Conophytum calculus looks like a pebble that’s hiding something magical. These perfect round, smooth “stones” look so ordinary at first, but they burst into life with tiny flowers that peek out from their little stone-like bodies. It’s as if they’re shy little creatures with a hidden personality, revealing a surprise from their “pebble” disguise.
9. Conophytum Pageae – The Blushing Pebble
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Conophytum
Conophytum pageae, on the other hand, is the sweetest little surprise, like a garden full of tiny, blushing lips waiting to greet you! These rounded, pebble-like succulents sit quietly in your garden, each one tinged with a soft pink that makes them look like they’re smiling just for you. Imagine waking up, stepping outside, and being welcomed by these gentle “pinky lips”—they’re like nature’s own good-morning kiss!
10. Aeonium Aureum – The Rose from Another World
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
- Tribe: Aeonieae
- Genus: Aeonium
Aeonium aureum looks like a perfect green rose, only it’s a succulent! Its petals layer over each other so delicately, forming a rosette that looks like it’s been sculpted by nature. This succulent is a true heart-stealer, like a rose preserved in an enchanted forest, ready to bloom forever without wilting.
11. Trachyandra tortilis – The Twisty-Twirly Plant
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
- Tribe: Asphodelae
- Genus: Trachyandra
Trachyandra tortilis looks like it’s made of spiraled ribbons or curly fries! With leaves that twist and coil, each one has its own quirky shape, making it look like it’s from a Dr. Seuss book or an alien carnival. This plant adds a playful twist to any collection, with leaves that look like they could start wiggling any moment!
12. Euphorbia Globosa – The Marble Marvel
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Subfamily: Euphorbioideae
- Tribe: Euphorbieae
- Genus: Euphorbia
Euphorbia globosa is like a string of green marbles, each one plump and perfectly round. Its beaded look makes it seem like a piece of jewelry from an alien marketplace. As it grows, Euphorbia globosa forms little clusters that add texture and fun, like it’s stringing together its own story right in your garden.
13. Albuca concordiana – The Spiraling Wonder
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Subfamily: Scilloideae
- Tribe: Ornithogaleae
- Genus: Albuca
Albuca concordiana has curly, spiraling leaves that look like they’ve each got their own personality! Bright green and playful, this plant is like a whimsical dancer with each leaf twirling in a different direction. During spring, it even sprouts cheerful yellow flowers—an extra surprise from this curly little character!
14. Gasteria Glomerata – The Clustered Cutie
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
- Tribe: Aloeae
- Genus: Gasteria
Gasteria glomerata is like a tiny family of green rosettes huddling together for warmth. Each cluster is dense and dark green, with a glossy finish that makes it look like it’s polished. This adorable plant’s shape is compact and cozy, perfect for adding a bit of green charm and resilience to your collection.
15. Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' (Split Rock) – The Alien Amethyst
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Subfamily: Ruschioideae
- Tribe: Ruschieae
- Genus: Pleiospilos
Pleiospilos nelii, or “Split Rock,” looks like a colorful stone that’s cracked open to reveal a hidden treasure. Its smooth, rounded leaves often have a purple or red hue, giving it an otherworldly vibe. It’s like a gem straight from a sci-fi landscape, hiding a little secret in its “split” and bursting into bloom when you least expect it.
