These Are the 10 Most Rare Succulents

Dudleya Traskiae is a rare succulent plant known as Santa Barbara Island Liveforever. It grows on rocky bluffs and has a flat, spade-shaped leaf that is pale green to yellowish. They are critically endangered due to invasive species, like goats, sheep, and cats. While their population is slowly growing from 800 thanks to them being cultivated and planted in appropriate habitats, there are still facing endangerment.

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Also known as sand dollar cactus, sea urchin cactus, star cactus, or star peyote, the Astrophytum Asterias is one of the most rare succulents in the world. The spineless plant is native to parts of Texas and Mexico and is widely cultivated by succulent and cacti enthusiasts. Even though they’re beloved, they’re considered critically endangered, with only 2,000 surviving individuals known. They commonly grow in gravel, clays, or open bushland. They’ve become endangered by habitat alteration or destruction from severe overgrazing, brush eradication, and conversion to cropland.

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These endangered, most rare succulents only have between 250-900 individuals left. They love rocky areas and marine coasts. The succulent has been used to treat coughs as well as other medical issues. They grow on three of the Cape Verde Islands: Santa Antao, Sao Vicente, and Sao Nicolau. While they grow on protected land, they are often harvested illegally causing the numbers to dwindle throughout the years.

With only 481 individuals remaining, the Pelotilla de Chinamada is a resident of Spain and loves to live on rocky areas, like inland cliffs or mountain peaks. Due to this succulent appearing close to roads, and also being illegally collected, the numbers have reduced heavily.

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Mammillaria, or the pincushion cactus, are native to Mexico, but can also be found in other parts of the world like the United States or the Caribbean. The plant is one of the most rare succulents, as they are critically endangered. With only 249 individuals currently, the plant likes to grow in rocky areas, inland cliffs, and mountain peaks.

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Labeled as endangered, the Parvisedum Leiocarpum is one of the most rare succulents in the world. Part of the Crassulaceae family, known as the Lake County Mock Stonecrop, the plant is common in California, where it’s known from only ten occurrences in two locations. It grows from drying vernal pools and rocky clay flats. The plant is a tiny reddish-yellow succulent with sparse leaves and flowers that have yellowish-red petals.

While they might not look like succulents, they’re part of the aloe species that can be found in South Africa. They’re spectacular, with yellow flowers and golden bark. Their population has slowly dwindled over the years and are now endangered, with fewer than 200 around anymore according to the IUCN Red List. As the name suggests, these succulents are large trees reaching a height of 32 feet. They’ve become endangered due to illegal collecting and trading, and habitat loss from mining and livestock farming.

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Found in dry, rocket areas in the Mediterranean region, the Aichryson Dumosum succulent has flowers that are white with yellow centers and is considered one of the most rare succulents in the world. With an estimation of between 50 to 250 individuals occupying only a 100 square meter space, it’s an endangered species. The cause is due to invasive species, trampling, fires, droughts, and landslides.

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Another one of the most rare succulents, as well as endangered, goes to the Parodia Rechensis. Native to Brazil, it’s a succulent subshrub that primarily grows in subtropical biomes. Because of this, the plant is hard to grow, and its natural habitat is threatened, causing it to dwindle in numbers. With only 66 known to exist, The succulent is hard to grow, and its natural habitat is threatened.

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Also called the Disco Cactus, this plant is one of the rarest succulents in the world. It’s likely, and recorded, that the Disco Cactus is actually extinct, with only 50 known pieces being in private collections. Therefore, it’s not only one of the most rare succulents but also the most expensive one out there. The plant was native to one region in Brazil and became extinct due to cattle ranching and other agricultural activities. While not much has been heard of this plant because of its extinction, it is described as having a sphere-shaped body and spikes around it.