Succulent Companion Plants for the Mexican Sage Bush

Agaves

• Agaves or century plants grow very large, so plant them behind the Mexican sage bush. This succulent forms rosettes of long, large leaves with spines. The American agave (Agave Americana) produces large blue-gray leaves tipped with sharp spines, so do not plant it near walkways. The variegated type of this agave variety is colored with broad bands of creamy yellow stripes and is less cold hardy than the solid-colored type.

Aloes

• There are more than 300 different types of aloe plants which stay low growing unless planted in an environment similar to their native habitat where they grow into large bushes. Candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens) has blue-green leaves edged with pale-green teeth and dense spikes of red-orange flowers. Zebra aloe (Aloe maculata) produces medium-green leaves with white spots grouped in bands around the plump leaves. Long-branched stems appear throughout the year topped with pinkish-orange flowers.

Hens and Chicks

• Hens and chicks form rosettes of short leaves in green, grey, blue, pink, orange and red colors edged in a contrasting color. Powder or wax covers the leaf surface protecting the plant from rapid water loss. Plant the hens and chicks in front of the Mexican sage bush to help showcase the yellow, orange, red and pink bell-shaped flowers when they appear. Plush plant (Echeveria pulvinata) produces fuzzy green leaves with bright-red tips.

Sedums

• Sedums are also known as stonecrop and grow like a groundcover. Use these succulents around the base and in front of the Mexican sage bush to add texture and fullness to the area. Autumn Joy sedum (Sedum x "Autumn Joy") forms clumps of gray green, oval-shaped, fleshy leaves. The pink flowers turn orange pink as they age and then turn rust colored when they mature in the fall. Dragon's Blood (Sedum spurium) grows bright purple and red blossoms. Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre) blooms in the early summer with bright yellow flowers.