• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sublime Succulents
  • Welcome to Sublime Succulents
  • Care Guides
    • Watering
      • How to Water Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide
      • Is My Succulent Over or Under Watered: Knowing the Difference
      • How Long Can Succulents Go Without Water?
    • Light
      • Light and Sun for Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide
      • Grow Lights for Succulents – Best Indoor & Outdoor Use Guide
      • How to Grow Colorful Succulents
    • Soil
      • Soil for Succulents and Cacti: Ultimate Guide
      • Succulent Soil vs Gritty Mix: Which is Better?
      • 7 Best Succulent and Cactus Soils
      • Should I put gravel in the bottom of a pot?
    • Propagation
      • Succulent Propagation: The Ultimate Guide
      • How Often to Water Propagated Succulents to Encourage Growth
      • Water Propagation for Succulents – How to Avoid Root Rot Guide
    • Fertilizer
      • How and When to Fertilize Succulents
      • Best Liquid Fertilizer in 2022 (Our Reviews & Comparisons)
      • How Often Should I Give My Plant Nutrients?
    • Pots and Planters
      • How to Care for Succulents in Pots without Drainage Holes
      • Best Pots For Succulents in 2022 (Our Reviews & Comparisons)
      • Should Succulents Be Planted in the Ground or in Pots?
    • Beginners: Start Here
      • 7 Best Places to Buy Succulents Online 2022
      • Succulent Starter Pack
      • How to Identify Root Rot and Treat It
  • Shop Succulents
    • Accessories
    • Pots and Planters
    • Soil and Fertilizer
    • Books
    • Plants
    • Grow Lights
  • Succulent Types
    • Easy Beginner Succulents
    • Indoor Succulents
    • Succulents by Color
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • Beginners
  • Reviews
  • Sorting
  • Types
  • Beginner Buys
search icon
Homepage link
  • Care
  • Beginners
  • Reviews
  • Sorting
  • Types
  • Beginner Buys
×

10 Weird Looking Succulents and Cacti

Modified: Jun 22, 2022 by Tarah Schwartz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Succulents and cacti are a strange bunch with incredible variety. These drought-loving plants range in size from teeny tiny to absolutely gigantic. Some have spikes, some don’t. They can also be found in every color of the rainbow. However, even with that astonishing variety, there are some particularly weird looking plants.

Collage of wierd looking succulents and cactuses.

If you’re tired of having the same succulents as your neighbor, or you simply want a conversation starter, here are ten of the weirdest looking succulents and cacti.

Jump to:
  • Espostoa melanostele ‘Peruvian Old Lady Cactus’
  • Kalanchoe rhombopilosa ‘Pies from Heaven’
  • Cereus forbesii monstrose ‘Ming Thing’
  • Euphorbia mammillaris variegata ‘Indian Corn Cob’
  • Crassula ‘Baby’s Necklace’
  • Echeveria ‘Mauna Loa’
  • Euphorbia obesa ‘Baseball Plant’
  • Aloe vanbalenii ‘Crawling Octopus’ or ‘Van Balen’s Aloe’
  • Lithops ‘Living Stones’
  • Opuntia subulata cristata ‘Crested Eve’s Needle’

Espostoa melanostele ‘Peruvian Old Lady Cactus’

Old lady cactuses growing in pots.
Click the button below to buy your own Peruvian Old Lady Cactus from Mountain Crest Gardens.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

As you may have already guessed, this woolly cactus is native to Peru and can reach up to seven feet in height in the wild. When kept in a pot, the cactus tends to stay much smaller, around 10 inches or so. Although the Peruvian Old Lady Cactus may look cuddly, its signature wool hides sharp spines.

Mountain crest garden's free mistery succulent with each order banner

The Peruvian Old Lady Cactus grows well in a pot, but it will grow better if planted in the ground. However, it’s not a frosty hardy plant, so be sure you live in a frost-free climate before planting your strange new cactus outside. As with most cacti, well-draining soil and plenty of sun are essential. Infrequent water is best, especially during the winter months.

See also
How to Make Succulent Bonsai

Kalanchoe rhombopilosa ‘Pies from Heaven’

Kalanchoe rhombopilosa ‘Pies from Heaven’ in a gray pot.
Pies from Heaven are strange, but in an understated way. They look great both indoors and out.

Buy it from:

Etsy
Amazon

This unusual-looking succulent with an even more unusual name is native to Madagascar. The plant typically reaches about 12 inches in height. The woolly leaves are just over an inch long and are a silvery-green with brown mottling. When in bloom, the plant produces petite greenish-yellow flowers.

Pies from Heaven prefer partial sun as strong, direct sun may burn the leaves. This is not a cold-tolerant plant, so you may need to bring it indoors or protect it during frigid temperatures. Kalanchoe rhombopilosa do best with infrequent water, so be sure to let the soil dry out between watering.

Cereus forbesii monstrose ‘Ming Thing’

Ming thing succulent close-up.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

This twisted cactus is a monstrose form of Cereus forbesii, which is native to South America. Ming Thing is blue-green in color and usually measures over 12 inches in height at maturity. The almost-sculptural plant has woolly areoles and small black spines. It is an ideal plant for container gardens or decorative arrangements.

Bestseller No. 1
3 Mother of thousands Kalanchoe daigremontiana~mexican hat plant succulent
3 Mother of thousands Kalanchoe daigremontiana~mexican hat plant succulent
  • Kalanchoe and succulents are pretty and very easy to grow, just sun and water ones a week, hard to kill plants, The plant for...
  • You will receive BABIES PLANTS, not adult
  • Plant instantly plants when you receive them, don't let them die in dryness
Check Price on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2
Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit, Harvest Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms In 10 days, Top Gardening Gift, Holiday Gift, & Unique Gift
Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit, Harvest Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms In 10 days, Top Gardening Gift, Holiday Gift, & Unique Gift
  • 100% ORGANIC AND NON-GMO: There's no need to worry about intoxicants that may hinder your plant's growth because the Back to...
  • GROW YOUR PLANT ALL YEAR-ROUND: This organic mushroom indoor kit allows you to grow your own crop all-year round; Just place...
  • CONVENIENT AND EASY: Mushrooms are one of the easiest to grow indoors; All you need to do is open, spray daily with the...
Check Price on Amazon

Although Ming Thing prefers bright indoor light, it can tolerate a low light environment. Adequate drainage is a must, as is infrequent water. This is a slow-growing cactus, so don’t expect to repot it very often.

See also
30 Small Succulents for Inside or Outside Your Home

Euphorbia mammillaris variegata ‘Indian Corn Cob’

Euphorbia mammillaris variegata ‘Indian Corn Cob’ in a black pot.
This variegated cultivar has a strange, almost ghostly appearance.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

Indian Corn Cob is a clustering cactus with a thick, ribbed stem that can grow up to 14 inches tall and about 2.5 inches in diameter. It often has small, club-shaped branches. The variegated cultivar is vibrant green and yellowish-white in color, but the stems may also feature hints of pink. Between late winter and early summer, Euphorbia mammillaris produces tiny reddish-orange flowers.

Indian Corn Cob does best with full sun but will tolerate partial sun. Containers and soil with adequate drainage are essential in avoiding root rot. Euphorbia mammillaris is easy to propagate with cuttings but use caution when handling as the plant’s sap may be irritating to your skin.

Crassula ‘Baby’s Necklace’

Crassula ‘Baby’s Necklace’ in a pot close-up.
The strange shape of Baby's Necklace and the subtle touch of red makes for a great centerpiece in any succulent project.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

Baby’s Necklace is actually a hybrid that was created by Myron Kimnach. It’s a cross of Crassula perforata and Crassula rupestris. Its leaves are small, puffy, and stacked along the stems, similar to the beads on a necklace. The stems can reach up to 12 inches in height and typically grows in clumps. In late spring to early summer, Baby’s Necklace produces petite white flowers.

Baby’s Necklace is an easy to care for succulent and is great for inexperienced and experienced gardeners alike. Like most succulents, excess moisture must be avoided at all costs. The more sun this plant receives, the more vibrant its color will be. Propagation is incredibly easy and can be done with leaves, stem cuttings, or offsets.

Echeveria ‘Mauna Loa’

Echeveria ‘Mauna Loa’ in a pot.
With its wavy, lava red leaves, you can see why Echeveria Mauna Loa is named after a volcano.

Buy it from:

Etsy

This odd EcheveriaI grows in a rosette, but unlike many other Echeveria cultivars, Mauna Loa’s leaves are ruffled at the edges. The frilly leaves are pale green near the stem and darken to burgundy toward the ends. The more sun this plant receives, the deeper the colors.

See also
Is Christmas Cactus a Succulent?

Although Mauna Loa looks a bit different from other Echeveria, the care it requires remains the same. Avoid overwatering and be sure to plant in well-draining soil. Mauna Loa can be propagated easily from leaf cuttings.

Euphorbia obesa ‘Baseball Plant’

Euphorbia Obesa succulent growing an outdoor,.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

If you’re looking for a simple but strange looking plant to add to your collection, look no further than Euphorbia obesa. This dome-shaped cactus is usually grayish-green with orange or purple bands that create a plaid-like pattern. It’s a rather petite cactus and can grow up to eight inches tall and about 3.5 inches wide. The flowers produced by Euphorbia obesa are tiny, greenish-yellow and have a sweet scent.

Baseball Plants prefer partial shade, but if you notice the plaid pattern fading, the plant needs more light. As with most cacti, adequate drainage is necessary in preventing root rot. Watering should be infrequent, especially during the Baseball Plant’s winter dormancy period.

Aloe vanbalenii ‘Crawling Octopus’ or ‘Van Balen’s Aloe’

Aloe Vanbalenii close-up.

Buy it from:

Etsy

The vibrant red-orange leaves make Van Balen’s Aloe stand out from most Aloe that you may be familiar with. The leaves start out as a vibrant shade of green and turn orange and red with increased sun exposure. The more stress the plant undergoes, the deeper the color. In winter, the plant produces yellowish-orange flowers atop a slender inflorescence. At maturity, Crawling Octopus measures up to three feet in height and four feet in diameter.

Aloe vanbalenii is tolerant of extreme heat but cannot handle freezing temperatures. A light frost is fine, but if you are expecting frigid weather be sure to bring the plant in or protect it from the cold. Van Balen’s Aloe grows best in well-draining soil with plenty of sun. Although it makes great ground cover if the climate allows, its twisting octopus-like leaves look great in hanging containers as well.

See also
Perlite vs Pumice (Which One Is Best?)

Lithops ‘Living Stones’

Lithops in rocky soil close-up.

Buy it from:

MCG
Etsy
Amazon

Sometimes called Living Stones, these drought-loving little weirdos are native to South Africa. At maturity, they usually measure under three inches in both height and diameter. They come in a variety of colors, all resembling natural shades of stone. In autumn, they produce surprisingly large yellow or white flowers.

Lithops can be a bit tricky to care for, but with a little old-fashioned neglect, they’ll do just fine. Read our care guide for in-depth care information on these strange stone-like succulents.

Opuntia subulata cristata ‘Crested Eve’s Needle’

Opuntia subulata cristata ‘Crested Eve’s Needle’ in a black pot.
This small but strange variety of Eve's Needle will stand out in any crowd of cacti.

Buy it from:

Etsy
Amazon

Crested Eve’s Needle is a strange crested variety of Opuntia subulata. At maturity, it typically measures around 20 inches in height. The crested variety typically stays much smaller than normal Opuntia subulata, which can reach up to 13 feet tall. Instead, this odd plant focuses its growth on twisting and spreading out in an almost fan-like shape.

Opuntia subulata prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It can handle a light frost but must be protected from freezing temperatures. Excess moisture can lead to root rot, so proper drainage is a must. It’s not uncommon for the plant to occasionally produce a normal branch, which is called a reversion. The reversion can be cut off to preserve the crested plant and propagated to grow a normal Opuntia subulata.

If you’re tired of the usual succulents and cacti, why not try something more exotic? Whether you prefer the woolly Peruvian Old Lady Cactus, the simplicity of the Baseball Plant, or the strange waves of Crested Eve’s Needle, be prepared to talk about your new and interesting plants. These weird looking succulents and cacti are certain to be the center of attention no matter where you plant them.

See also
13 Rare Cacti (and Where to Find Them!)
« The Difference Between Echeveria and Graptoveria
How to Treat and Avoid Succulent Sunburn »

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • WhatsApp

Primary Sidebar

Fun head-shaped succulent planter growing beautiful succulents.

Hi, I'm Patrick! Welcome to SublimeSucculents.com, your one-stop source for everything related to growing and enjoying succulents!

More about me →

Popular Guides

  • How to Paint a Terracotta Pot - Simple Step by Step Painting Guide
  • 8 Types of Snake Plant - Most Popular Sansevieria Varieties
  • 7 Best Places to Buy Succulents Online in 2022
  • How to Drill Drainage Holes in Terracotta and Clay
  • 11 Succulents Safe for Reptiles
  • 21 Best Low Light Indoor Succulents - Dead-Easy to Grow Inside

Recent Posts

  • 30 Small Succulents for Inside or Outside Your Home
  • Haworthia Cooperi Succulent Complete Care Guide
  • Best Gloves for Handling Cactus to Consider and Why You Should Wear One
  • Do Succulents Attract Bugs?

Pages

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQs & About Me
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 · Sublime Succulents LLC.

362 shares