Can I grow succulents rated for zones higher than my own?Updated 10 months ago

If you live in a lower (colder) zone than a particular succulent is rated for, you will need to bring the plant indoors during the winter. We do rate hardiness conservatively, so plants right on cusp may be able to survive outdoors year-round with a bit of protection. For example, to plant a Sempervivum rosette (zone 5) in a region that gets down to -30F (zone 4), you will want to employ the following strategies.

Protecting Outdoor Succulents from Cold

• Plant succulents at least one month before the first frost or in the spring after the final frost so that they can acclimate gradually to cold temperatures
• Plant in-ground or in extra large containers so that roots are well-insulated by a thick layer of soil
• Keep plants near buildings and large stones that radiate heat
• Plant in locations protected from wind
• Protect plants from rain and standing water (snow is good, but cold and wet leads to rot)
• Use ground cover cloth (e.g. Reemay) to protect large area, in-ground plantings that won't get insulated by snow