Let’s be real—some sappig names sound like they were made up by a drunk botanist. “String of Dolphins”? “Burro’s Tail”? “Mother of Thousands”? What kind of plant names are these? If you’ve ever stared at a succulent label and gone, “Wait… what?”, this one’s for you. We’re breaking down the weirdest, funniest, and most bizarre succulent names and the stories behind them. Buckle up, because some of these are wild.
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1. String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus)
Why It’s Weird: Because it literally looks like a bunch of tiny dolphins jumping out of the pot.
The Story: This funky hybrid is a cross between String of Pearls and Candle Plant. The leaves curl into little dolphin-shaped silhouettes, complete with what looks like fins. It’s the kind of plant that makes people do a double-take—”Wait, are those… dolphins?”
Care Tip: Bright, indirect light. Too much sun = crispy dolphins. Too little = stretched-out, sad dolphins.
2. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Why It’s Weird: Because who looked at this plant and thought, “Yep, that’s a donkey’s tail”?
The Story: The name comes from the long, trailing stems covered in plump, blue-green leaves that kinda-sorta resemble a donkey’s tail (if you squint). In Spanish, “burro” means donkey, so there you go.
Fun Fact: This succulent is super fragile. Bump it the wrong way, and leaves go flying everywhere. (But hey, free propagation!)
3. Mother of Thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana)
Why It’s Weird: Sounds like a horror movie villain, and honestly? It kinda is.
The Story: This plant is insanely prolific. Tiny baby plants grow along the edges of its leaves, drop off, and root everywhere. It’s like a succulent zombie apocalypse—once it’s in your garden, it’s almost impossible to stop.
Warning: Do not plant this outside unless you want it to take over. Seriously.
4. Lithops (Aka “Living Stones”)
Why It’s Weird: Because they look like tiny butts. Or brains. Or alien eggs.
The Story: The name Lithops comes from Greek (lithos = stone, ops = face), because these succulents mimic rocks to avoid being eaten in the wild. They’re masters of disguise—sometimes you won’t even notice them until they bloom.
Weird Fact: They only need water a few times a year. Overwater them, and they’ll literally explode.
5. Zwartkop (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’)
Why It’s Weird: Because it sounds like a villain from a fantasy novel, but it’s just a really goth succulent.
The Story: Zwartkop means “black head” in Dutch, and this aeonium lives up to its name with deep purple, almost black rosettes. It’s like the emo kid of the succulent world—dramatic, dark, and kinda extra.
Care Tip: Needs full sun to stay dark. In shade, it’ll turn green and lose its goth cred.
6. Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)
Why It’s Weird: Because it’s cute… until you touch it and regret everything.
The Story: The pads look like fuzzy bunny ears, but those white dots? They’re glochids—tiny, barbed spines that stick in your skin like demonic glitter.
Pro Tip: If you get glochids in your fingers, duct tape is your best friend.
7. Pickle Plant (Delosperma echinatum)
Why It’s Weird: Because it looks like a cucumber decided to grow spikes.
The Story: The stems are covered in little, pickle-shaped leaves with soft spines. It’s weirdly cute, kinda weird, and definitely a conversation starter.
Bonus: It blooms with tiny yellow flowers, because why not?
8. Tiger’s Jaw (Faucaria tigrina)
Why It’s Weird: Because the leaves look like tiny, toothy mouths waiting to chomp you.
The Story: The name comes from the jagged, tooth-like edges on its leaves. In the wild, these “teeth” help collect moisture from fog.
Fun Fact: It blooms with bright yellow flowers, because even a plant named Tiger’s Jaw can be pretty.
9. Cobweb Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum)
Why It’s Weird: Because it looks like a spider threw a party on a succulent.
The Story: The rosettes are covered in fine, white hairs that resemble cobwebs. It’s creepy, cool, and surprisingly hardy.
Care Tip: Great for cold climates—it can survive snow!
10. Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa)
Why It’s Weird: Because it looks like a sports ball… but also kinda like something NSFW.
The Story: This round, ribbed succulent really does resemble a baseball—until it grows taller and starts looking… suggestive.
Warning: Like all euphorbias, its sap is toxic. Don’t get it on your skin!
Why Do Succulents Have Such Weird Names?
Most of the time, it’s because:
They look like something else (dolphins, donkeys, cobwebs).
They do something creepy (make a thousand babies, mimic rocks).
Botanists had a sense of humor (looking at you, Tiger’s Jaw).
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Succulent names are weird, wonderful, and sometimes downright hilarious. Whether you’re growing a String of Dolphins or a Mother of Thousands, one thing’s for sure—these plants are anything but boring.
What’s the weirdest succulent in your collection? SucculentNameGame 🌵😂
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