Haworthias & Gasterias prefer lower light levels or part shade, even under another plant; they might be a good place to start.

Succulents have a reputation for needing a lot of light, but that's often not the case. Even some cacti, desert cacti, need a certain amount of shade. For your purposes, I'd look at the epiphytic cacti and some of the South American species, as well as the monstrose cultivars. Other possible choices: sansevieria, kalanchoe, lithops, gibbaeum, argyroderma, adromischus, aeonium, echeveria, dudleya, sedum, some aloes and glottiphyllum.

ltecato

I don't understand how you can suggest that Lithops, Gibbaeum and Argyroderma should be considered in a low light situation. Some Argies need to bake in the sun to bring out the best coloration. A few Lithops and Gibbaeum may tolerate some shade, but for the most part they need strong sun, just not the heat.

x

Amy,

If you want to achieve all possible colouration for a plant, with most succulent plants you will eventually acclimate to full sun. That's not to say they won't grow well or look good in less sun, it's just that they're happiest in full.

That mumble-jumble being said, the list given below is something you might use for lower-light plants:

Kalanchoe
Aloe
Gasteria
Haworthia
Cotyledon
Tropical cacti (Selenicereus, e.g.)
Aeonium
Sedums
Echeverias, Pachyphytums, Graptopetalums and their crosses

I would shy away from Dudleyas and other winter-growers for the simple reason of having to control their water intake in the summer when (almost) everything else wants water.

Of course, this is just a partial list - you might inquire as to a C&S club in your area from whom you can get on-the-spot guidance and counseling - that is the best information for you in your area.

Thanks, everyone. Good ideas, and perhaps finding the local club makes most sense. Location, location, location!

Good grief, I only agree with part of what each of you posted. In most species, some like like strong light and others low light. Ech plant may have their own needs, you will need to look them up one by one for the instruction, or use common sense, the plant will tell you soon enough. Are you a beginner Amy? Northern Calif. has many good clubs, if you need help with names of groups, I can help you out. Norma

Norma,
I looked up and found two clubs, one in Oakland and one in SF. If there are others in the Bay Area I'd be happy to have their info. To be honest, I am not really a beginner. I have this long, narrow (but not too narrow) bed along one side of my house that I know would look fabulous with succulents in it, but as I said, I'm not sure there is enough sunlight for them to look their best. For now I'm going to watch the pots I put out, and just be patient.

Norma,

That's OK!

Amy,

That's what I was trying to tell you, only you found it in fewer words - they won't look their best, but they should grow somewhat well, just not to their full potential.

In my San Diego garden, there were plenty of plants that only got direct sun for three months of the year; however, the ambient light was so strong the indirect light on the plants was quite sufficient. Sure, there were clones of the same plants that grew (1) in more sun and (2) better, but that was all right with me.