Welcome to Surreal Succulents!
We are a family run, RHS Gold Medal-winning nursery located in Cornwall, UK. Specialising in rare and unusual succulents, as well as the creation of our own unique hybrids.
Surreal Top Tips
What are the best beginner succulents?
Here are 10 recommendations for beginner growers. These plants are all very versatile, giving you the most room for error:
- Echeveria elegans - This plant is almost indestructible. Super hardy and tolerant in any setting.
- Sedum moranense - A lovely starter plant due to its hardiness and ease to propagate.
- Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' - This fast-growing plant is a great option for anyone looking to explore the world of Aeoniums.
- Haworthia sub-attenuata - This plant is great for indoors. It can tolerate low light levels and drought for a long time.
- Cotyledon orbiculata - This interesting plant is great for beginners due to its ability to stay dry for a long time. It is also very unusual.
- Aeonium 'Voodoo' - This dark Aeonium is a great starter plant. It will tell you how quickly Aeoniums can change colour depending on the season.
- Crassula ovata 'Jade Plant' - One of the most common succulents for a good reason; it's super easy to grow indoors.
- Echeveria pulvinata 'Devotion' - An attractive and easy to grow plant. Flowers easily too.
- Sempervivum calcareum - This is an extremely hardy plant, as are all Sempervivum. Great for outdoors.
- Crassula 'Horn Tree' - A great plant for indoors. Easy to propagate too.
https://surrealsucculents.co.uk/collections/beginner-succulents
Which pot should I use for my succulent?
A pot that has a drainage hole and is just big enough to fit the plant is often best for succulents.
Choose a pot with a drainage hole if you can’t limit the watering (outdoors). A pot with no drainage hole can be used as long as you water moderately. A pot with a hole tends to be more forgiving.
Also, as it is slightly breathable, a terracotta pot is usually preferred over a plastic pot, but the succulents dont seem to mind too much.
Our plants typically like to be potted in 7cm pots once you receive them.
Which soil should I use for my succulents?
1/3 succulent or cactus soil, 1/3 coconut coir and 1/3 perlite is a good standard to stick with for most succulents.
We recommend using a standard general multipurpose compost mix or John Innes no2 (sandy soil mix) and adding 1/3 by volume of drainage media in the form of sand, grit or our personal favourite, perlite.This will give you a free-draining soil mix which is very important for the health of your succulents. Our General Succulent Compost Mix is perfectly designed for succulents.
How often should I water my succulents?
Usually once to twice a week in the growing season. Follow the 3 D's:
- Drench. Completely drench the soil (for fully rooted plants only).
- Drain. Make sure the soil is free-draining.
- Dry. Leave the soil to dry out between waterings.
Over-watering is one of the most common cause of succulent problems. The amount of water they require is largely dependent on the location you wish to keep them, so also think about this when watering them.
The best way to tell if your plant is dry is to pick up the pot and try to get a feel by the weight of the pot to figure out if it needs water.
Without proper drainage, your succulents may suffer from root rot, especially in the winter months. Always make sure your drainage holes don’t become blocked.
Having proper drainage gives you the desert-like conditions that succulents need to thrive.
How much light do my succulents need?
Some succulents vastly differ in light requirements. Part shade in the growing season (March - September) and full sun during winter is usually best for most of them.
Selecting a plant for the right conditions you have at home is crucial. You might find that you get odd growing formations know as reaching, or to correctly name, etiolated. This can simply be because you’re not providing enough natural light for the plant you have chosen. Haworthias are great indoor plants suited to lower light conditions but at the same time can tolerate high light conditions.
For more advice, check our Guidebook. Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive our best advice.
UK Hardy Succulents
Tested winter-hardy succulents
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Sedum moranense
Regular price £8.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
Echeveria elegans
Regular price £8.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
Sempervivum 'Green Dragon'
Regular price £4.95 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
Sempervivum 'Superdome'
Regular price £4.95 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per
Why Surreal?
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UK Based Nursery
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Single Use Plastic Free
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RHS Gold Medal Winners
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Shipping Worldwide
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Free UK Delivery Over £40
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10% Off Orders Over £120
Let customers speak for us
from 63 reviewsI love cubic frost - it's pleasing and interesting little succulent and came as in the photos. Always pleased when I order with Surreal Succulents as the run a fast an efficient service and deliver well cared for and high quality succulents. I will no doubt order more in the future!
I received 2 small cuttings instead of the one I was expecting. Both have beenn potted up separately in my porch awaiting better weather when they will go outside. I look forward to seeing them grow in the spring/summer.
My order arrived in very good condition and has now been potted up. I do not expect much growth at this time of the year but Crassula Ovata Hobbit looks quite happy in my cold conservatory and I look forward to growth in the spring ad summer. A very attractive and unusual plant.
Received this as an Xmas gift and love it. Simple but effective and looks great. Also received more than enough sand, so my daughter enjoyed making her own little gardens too
I gave this to my son for Christmas, he loves it. Expertly packaged and a great selection of plants.
Great condition healthy looking plant very happy indeed
Fabulous little kits. The plants are so healthy looking and the kit is lovely. I bought 2 kits as Christmas presents and both recipients loved them. I now want one for myself! Will definitely be buying more ☺️
I bought the bundle to revamp my mum’s terrarium. The cuttings were in fantastic shape despite being posted and a really lovely mixture of plants. Definitely recommend.
I bought one of these for all the couples in the family, as a project to grow & care for something together, everyone loved them & by the end of Christmas day all the couples had bonded over their little projects. Such a beautiful lot with everything you need included & such a beautiful selection of succulents. I'm off to buy one for myself. Thank you X
I had some wonderful Aeoniums which I had bought on several visits to you together with others. Some were very large. I stored them in the greenhouse but lost ever single one last year. So hence I’m going to try again. I have potted on my Pomegranate and Red Edge and they look lovely on the window cill in my kitchen. Bought them in the sale and looking forward to nurturing them.
I wish I had purchased this kit when I first purchased my plants, because it is different to what you buy from the garden centre. a lot more airier which is better for the plants.
Really good, I bought one for myself and one for my partner for Christmas, I had to give early as the beautiful succulents needed planting. He was over the moon.
I have bought several plants from you, always very pleased.
excellent plants
Have just received a nice little plant that looks a promising colour. I look forward to seeing it in full glory come spring/summer.
Ordering was simple and received the order promptly.
The bare rooted Aeonium arrived perfectly packaged with detailed potting instructions.
Now the hard bit ….my responsibility to get the poor thing through the winter months. The plant was in good condition when it arrived. It has lost some leaves now after a few weeks. Now trying a different position, from kitchen windowsill with limited sunlight, in the greenhouse. Increased sunlight and light.
Detailed instructions are available on the website.
What customers think about the store
The store offers high-quality, healthy succulents and plants in excellent condition. Customers praise the efficient packaging and delivery, helpful customer service, and detailed care instructions provided. The wide selection of unique and vibrant varieties is... The store offers high-quality, healthy succulents and plants in excellent condition. Customers praise the efficient packaging and delivery, helpful customer service, and detailed care instructions provided. The wide selection of unique and vibrant varieties is highly appreciated, with visitors often commenting on their impressive displays.
Read moreAI-generated from customer reviews.
Our Awards
Gold Medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 for an exhibit of rare & unusual succulents.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2022 for x Semponium 'Destiny'.
New in
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Echeveria agavoides 'Tango'
Regular price £22.50 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
Echeveria minima 'Nanahukumini'
Regular price £12.50 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
x Cremneria 'Scaphylla'
Regular price £14.00 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per -
Succulent Potting Starter Kit
Regular price From £8.50 GBPRegular priceUnit price / per
Succulent Care Guides
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Winter Care Guide for Succulents
Keep your succulents in the best condition over the bitter winter.
Winter Care Guide for Succulents
Keep your succulents in the best condition over the bitter winter.
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All-Round Succulent Care Guide
A general oversight on how we grow our plants to RHS-gold size, stature and quality.
2 commentsAll-Round Succulent Care Guide
A general oversight on how we grow our plants to RHS-gold size, stature and quality.
2 comments -
Haworthia Care Guide
This care guide is packed with useful tips to make your Haworthia stand out from the collection.
Haworthia Care Guide
This care guide is packed with useful tips to make your Haworthia stand out from the collection.